We had an absolutely incredible experience with Blue Dolphin Charters! From the moment we stepped on board, the crew operated like a well-oiled machine. They were organized, professional, and genuinely seemed to love what they do. We traveled the morning of July 9th (for credit to our crew). We did the breakfast/lunch snorkel and Nāpali coast catamaran. What stood out most was how well they cared for everyone on the boat. They were constantly checking in to make sure guests were comfortable, helping people safely up and down the stairs, serving food and drinks, and making the entire experience feel like an all-inclusive resort on the water. Every crew member was kind, upbeat, and made you feel like they were truly happy you were there. Our captain was fantastic--he was fun, knowledgeable, and full of interesting information about the Nā Pali Coast. We never felt rushed, and they even stopped so everyone could take photos of the breathtaking scenery. We traveled with our 15-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, and both had an amazing time. There were also several younger children on board, and the crew was wonderful with them as well. The boat was clean, spacious, and easy to move around, which made the trip comfortable for everyone. The food was delicious, and the entire day exceeded our expectations. As if the stunning coastline wasn't enough, we were lucky enough to see two different pods of dolphins swimming alongside the boat--an unforgettable experience! The biggest compliment I can give? The next morning my 10-year-old daughter asked if we could book another trip because she loved it that much. If you're considering a Nā Pali Coast tour, don't hesitate--book with Blue Dolphin Charters. It was worth every penny, and the views are truly once-in-a-lifetime. read more

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My husband and I did the Deluxe Nā Pali Snorkel & Sunset Tour on 06/14/26 at 1:00 p.m., and we had such a great time! The catamaran was big, clean, and really nice. We passed by a Captain Andy's catamaran during the tour, and ours honestly looked better. Ours even had a second deck, while theirs didn't, which gave everyone more space to spread out and take pictures without feeling crowded. The four crew members were all helpful and friendly. The food was also surprisingly delicious and honestly, it was even better than the food we had at the luau we went to! Overall, it was an awesome experience, and we'd definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kauai. read more

For most recreational sailors, 20-knot winds with 5-foot seas would be considered moderately rough to challenging, depending on the boat and the crew. Here's a practical classification: * Wind: 20 knots (23 mph) * Fresh breeze (Beaufort Force 5) * Whitecaps are common. * Reefing the sails is often recommended. * Experienced sailors generally enjoy these conditions. * Beginners may find them intimidating. * Seas: 5 feet * Moderate waves with regular swells. * Boats will pitch and roll noticeably. * Spray over the bow is common. * Can become uncomfortable, especially for smaller boats. Overall rating * For a 20- to 30-foot sailboat: Challenging. Suitable only for experienced sailors. * For a 35- to 45-foot cruising sailboat: Moderate to moderately rough. Manageable with proper sail handling. * For beginners or passengers: Rough and potentially uncomfortable. If you're asking about a sailing excursion in Kauaʻi I'd classify 20 knots and 5-foot seas as: * Marginal to poor for a leisurely sightseeing sail. * Acceptable for experienced crews on larger, well-equipped catamarans. * Not ideal if your goal is a smooth, relaxing cruise or if you have balance issues or are prone to seasickness. Given what I know about your mobility and balance, I would recommend waiting for conditions closer to: * Wind: 10-15 knots or less * Seas: 2-4 feet Those conditions are generally much more comfortable and enjoyable for most passengers. This a money making joke. I tried to get a refund because I walk with a cain. There response tuff luck I should not have booked. read more

This was hands down one of the highlights of our trip to Kauai! We had a group of five, and I truly can't say enough good things about Capt. Kealoha, Evan, Kawika, and Aina. From the second we got on the boat, they made everyone feel welcome and were so friendly, funny, and accommodating. They took the time to engage with everyone on board, which made the whole experience feel really personal. Capt. Kealoha did an incredible job sharing the history of the Nā Pali Coast, pointing out famous movie filming locations, and explaining the history of different landmarks along the way. It made the trip so much more than just a beautiful boat ride, it felt like we were getting a personal tour of one of the most stunning places in Hawaii. When it was time to snorkel, the crew made sure everyone felt comfortable and informed before getting in the water. They even jumped in with us, which made the experience even more fun and reassuring. The two kids in our group had an absolute blast and haven't stopped talking about it! The views were unreal, the crew made the entire day so much fun, and we left talking about how glad we were that we booked with Blue Dolphin Charters. If you're visiting Kauai and thinking about doing a Nā Pali Coast tour, this is the one. I would recommend them over and over again! read more

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DEC2025 This was a great sunset cruise to go on. I had sent communications before regarding some injuries and questions for shoes. They responded quickly months prior while we were still doing research for our trip. Captain Cole Jarrett and Lily ran a solid experience. Clear instructions from the beginning, information during, and stories intertwines as we traveled along the coast. We also had some waves while dodging dark clouds. We were able to squeeze ahead of it tho with a little bit of water tho still warm really. It was a bit bumpy when we had to get ahead of the storm but that's understandable. During the trip around we saw a few whales and beautiful views of the Napali coast. There was also a small dolphin and plenty of flying fish skipping across the water. Dinner included had pulled pork and teriyaki chicken. I also had a vegetarian meal which was great. It was their own mix over rice. Flavors were good tho a little dry. A gravy would've melded things but otherwise still a good mix. The food was onboard and drinks were great. Lily was running around delivering drinks and snacks. We got many drinks and cookies over the course of the cruise. It was a great experience overall, would certainly recommend. read more

Captain J Sea, Daeryn, Dylan, and Emma were absolutely fantastic today on our afternoon na Pali cruise. Can't wait to do it again!

My group did the Nā Pali Raft Tour and it was amazing! Captain Ruby and crew member Page took such great care of us--super attentive, helpful, and knowledgeable. Truly a wonderful experience. Highly recommend! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Fantastic crew. Elia led a great tour and the rest of the crew was entertaining and yet remained focused on guest safety. read more

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Enjoyed an awesome sunset dinner cruise with Blue Dolphin, complete with several close-up whale sightings and a couple dolphins spotted as well. Captain Kai was competent, informative, and very funny, as was crewmember Vayden, and Collin's mai tais are not to be missed. The food onboard was delicious and included traditional Hawaiian pulled pork and teriyaki chicken. Scrumptious cookies and bubbly rounded out the evening. Some things to be aware of: This cruise is on a catamaran; some of our party were expecting a small cruise ship that would have been a smoother ride. Waves are bumpy, and the windier parts of the trip resembled a mild roller coaster--if that's not your thing or you know you can experience some motion sickness, please factor that into your decision to book a trip. That being said, one person in our party experienced some light motion sickness and was really well cared for by the crew. We really appreciated their kindness and support. If you have sturdy sea legs and an adventurous spirit, I'd highly recommend this excursion. The views of Kauai from the ocean are worth it alone, but the information from the captain and crew about the island and its culture are also super valuable. The whole experience also felt very safe; the cruise will not go to areas with high wind/surf, and on our trip the captain explained why he was turning out of the wind/waves when he made that decision. read more

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Lilly was absolutely amazing and helped make our cruise experience in Hawaii unforgettable. She went above and beyond to take care of me and my sister when we started feeling a little nauseous. Her kindness, professionalism, and genuine concern for our well-being really stood out. She checked in on us, made sure we were comfortable, and helped us get back to enjoying the trip. It's people like Lilly who make a great experience even better. Her positive attitude and excellent customer service made us feel welcome and cared for throughout the cruise. We truly appreciated everything she did for us and are very grateful for her help. Thank you, Lilly, for making our time on the water so enjoyable and memorable! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Our captain was amazing very helpful and informative. The crew was helpful and funny. The vibes were great. It was a sunset cruise even the captain was surprised to see dolphins. My kids had fun and it was the best experience they had in Kauai. We will definitely book a snorkel adventure for next time with the same company. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Iykyk - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

Amazing experience. Captain Kia'aina is a true expert and made the trip super comfortable and fun for my family. He navigated the raft through caves and we always felt safe while getting an awesome adventure. Maddie and him made the trip the most memorable day of our vacation and something we'll remember for the rest of our lives! Dolphins, crazy mountains, awesome snorkeling...This tour brings it all! Highly recommend! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters is great way to see Kauai. Me and the family took a Napali coast snorkel tour and they far exceeded our expectations making it the highlight of our trip. The crew was awesome and very attentive and courteous. Big mahalo! To Captain Cole and his crew, Vayden, Emma, and Manase. You all rock! read more

My husband and I did not have a great time, but not because the fault of the crew, but because we had really bad motion sickness! Along the way the ride was pretty smooth. Our captain, Kai, was giving all sorts of interesting facts about the island and coastline. My husband and I were good until we reached the Napali coast and the waves got too choppy for us. I guess we are especially prone to motion sickness even after taking Dramamine. The coast itself was beautiful. It was a nice clear day and we were able to see the ridges on the Napali coast. We were good long enough to take some pictures and then we got really sick. I think we made the mistake of sitting on the top of the boat rather than the bottom. We had booked the dinner cruise, but unfortunately were not able to keep anything down. We also missed the champagne toast. One crew member noticed how much we're struggling and made sure to keep a close eye on us. He offered us water and ice many times to help keep us hydrated. He even packed us a plate so we can take our dinner home. I think his name was Vayder. He was outstanding. We didn't have the best time, but a glass half full type of person. We saw the beautiful coastline and the crew was great (Kai, Vayder, and Collin). The Napali coast is not something you will see very often, so book the tour! Perhaps be a little more prepared for any motion sickness if are sensitive to it. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Fantastic whale watching with an attentive, relaxed crew We did the 2-hour whale watching cruise with Blue Dolphin Charters, and it was excellent. We saw multiple breaches, tail slaps, fluke dives, and surface activity--the whales were active the entire time. The crew positioned the boat so well that we were able to stay in one great viewing spot and still see everything without moving around. The crew was incredibly attentive without being overbearing. Drinks and snacks were always taken care of--Mai Tais, coconut cookies, and snacks kept coming--and it genuinely felt effortless to just relax and enjoy the experience. The team was knowledgeable, calm, and respectful of the whales, offering helpful context without over-talking. The boat was comfortable, well run, and the two-hour length felt just right. If whale watching is on your list in Kauaʻi, Blue Dolphin is an easy recommendation read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Whale Tail - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Very friendly, knowledgeable and safe Captain. Crew was fun, very attentive and the hospitality was unexpectedly great!! Best Mai Tais we had the whole trip. A bit more chilly than expected. Bring warm clothes and a rain jacket for sure! Do not skimp on sunscreen just make sure it's reed safe because the snorkeling was great! You better take Dramamine though to really enjoy yourself:) Dolphins showed up as promised, twice! Maloha! read more

We had an amazing day during our 5hr rafting experience. The views and nature was absolutely spectacular, and what made it even better was the service from Captain Ruby and first officer Rene. They were so kind, knowledgeable and professional. If I had better grip strength- I'd do it again the next day. Thank you for the best day! read more

It was great. Seas were rough, but Captain J Sea , and crew Ethan Maddie Pa'a Made for an amazing day We felt safe & had a roller coaster ride The crew is super attentive, kind, and fun! read more

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We did the sunset cruise and we loved it! We got to see the mountains and enjoyed a good meal as well. Drinks were complimentary. My wife and I seeked out adventure whenever we could find the chance- be careful, you will get soaked!!! We did not see any dolphins but did see plenty of good views!! Beautiful sunset with your loved one makes this very romantical. read more

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Absolutely A1 amazing experience with the charming and skilled crew led by a phenomenal female Capt J-Sea with Zeke, Pa'a, & Kelani!! Superb snorkeling site, two pods of spinner dolphins, attentive crew for all travelers, and clear expectations about Mother Nature as we made it all the way to a summer turnaround in the winter!! Kudos for a fabulous experience!! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Wonderful winter weather on the way to Na Pali - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

We really enjoyed this tour. It may be one of the best of my life. It was the most beautiful place I have ever seen and the crew on the boat was fantastic. Noah was all over helping everyone he saw struggling and getting everyone drinks or carrying someone's lunch up the stairs to make sure they were safe. Captain Joe was very informative about the history of the area and you felt safe with him at the helm. Dereyn and Jordon were so funny and helpful. We saw many dolphins and quite a few had babies with them. The snorkeling was great. And the Napaliu coast was a treasure to see, so beautiful. The boat was comfortable to ride in, clean, and had regular bathrooms. The food they served you and the drinks were great. I would recommend this 100% of you want a comfortable ride to the most beautiful place in the world. read more

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We booked this boat tour to see the coast of Napali. Super beautiful views, and it was cool to hear about certain spots that various movies used for filming or inspiration! The crew were all super friendly and engaging too. If you get seasick easily, you might want to reconsider booking this boat tour. I pretty much never get seasick but even this was rough for me. I do overheat easily though and get nauseous from being in the heat/sun, so not sure how much that contributed. We did the sunset tour and afterwards I read some other reviews that the waves are much rougher in the afternoon compared to the morning. It definitely felt pretty rough at times. Bring your whole collection of motion sickness preventatives! It's a long ride...once you get on you're stuck on the boat for ~5 hours. I had pretty low expectations for the food but it was actually pretty good! I went back for seconds. Unlimited drinks too but unfortunately I was too nauseous to really participate much. Only closed toed shoes allowed, otherwise you have to be barefoot (they'll collect any sandals on a cubby shelf and return them afterwards). I opted to be barefoot, but it did feel a bit gross when I was using the bathroom barefoot, so I kind of wish I had worn sneakers. Overall, a great boat tour to see some beautiful views, but I would think twice if you're prone to motion sickness, or maybe consider booking a morning tour instead for hopefully calmer waters. read more

Such an unforgettable NaPali Coast sunset dinner cruise! Fantastic weather with an EPIC sunset complete with the green flash!!! Dinner was delicious....pulled pork, teriyaki chicken, Caesar salad and rice. Chocolate chip or coconut cookies for dessert were also so good. Bottomless Mai Tais or beer or wine....I mean, WOO HOO! Dolphins were so fun and playful. The staff was great fun....Captain Kai, First mate, Lily and second mate, Davika, did a fantastic job taking care of everyone! We have done this cruise at least 7 times...every time we bring friends we tell them this is a MUST SEE....beautiful and majestic. Thank you all...we would definitely do it again and again and again! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Celebrating 50 years! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Blue Dolphin Charters was the highlight of my sisters's birthday trip! We did the 5 hr snorkel raft tour and all I can say is how magical this experience was. Shout out to Captain Ruby and Lily.. they were top notch and made sure to take care of all our needs! Captain Ruby kept taking breaks to make sure we all felt comfortable and safe on our trip up there and Lily was our personal photographer / Ruby's right hand woman. Keep doing your thing ladies, you guys made our trip to the beautiful garden island of Kauai read more

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1,000,000 / 5 if that ranking is even allowed (need to check the Yelp terms and conditions) Captain Elia, Lily, Darren, and Evan couldn't have been better crew members during our excursion. Everything from stopping each time we saw a single dolphin, seeing a mother whale and her calf, to Darren making chicken sounds as loud as legally possible, it was by far and away the most unbelievable experience we could have had. As mentioned with every other 5 star review above and below, you couldn't paint better scenery along the Na Pali coast line, and getting within inches of schools of fish while snorkeling was surreal. The food was delicious and the drinks being served were excellent. This whole beautiful package was wrapped in a bow of spoken history of each significant location as told by Captain Elia. This was my first time even visiting the island and this is the main reason I am planning on returning, hopefully to the same crew, the same hospitality, food, and chicken sounds. WE EVEN SAW GOATS thanks read more

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For our work team bonding we decided to check out the Nāpali coast & we had a blast! our captain was Ruby and Jordan was our crew member. it was such an amazing experience & they made it so fun and eventful. We saw spinner dolphins, tons of turtles & a bunch of fish while snorkeling. Luckily the weather today was beautiful so we were able to go into the sea caves as well! Mahalo Nui for the adventure Ruby & Jordan! read more

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What a great experience, we loved going on our tour of the Na Pali coast. The crew was fun and engaging, full of energy at 7am! They had fun and entertained us the whole time. My favorite part was the music it was perfectly curated to every part of the trip. I don't know if this was planned or random but the music was perfect at every part of the tour and it really played to the whole experience. read more

Absolutely a fantastic tour. The crew was so helpful and knowledgeable. We went back and forth for days trying to decide on which charter to take for the Na Pali Coast and we are thrilled with our decision. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Such a great boat trip! The staff was awesome. Renee, Paige and the two names I couldn't spell were awesome! (Elia?) but the breakfast and lunch were nice to have and the staff was phenomenal. So helpful always getting us all stuff. Definitely felt like 5 star service. I would say that getting to see the dolphins, so many whales and snorkel was great. Also, just felt like it's a must do on the island! read more

We had an amazing time doing the 5 hour Napoli coast zodiac tour! Ruby was our captain and Lily our crew!! They truly made it magical. From all the historical knowledge, to taking pictures, the great playlist Ruby had, it was the best way to begin our first trip to Kauai. We saw a rainbow, a mega pod of dolphins, smaller dolphin pods, went in and out of sea caves! Just stunning! And on our way back the ocean was getting rough but Ruby navigated it with ease and stopped several times so we could stand and stretch! I would 100% do this again! And I'm prone to seasickness but found some natural patches that worked amazingly well! No seasickness for this woman. By far, the highlight of our trip in Kauai! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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We decided to take the rafting tour of the napaali coast. And wow it did not disappoint. Our tour guides Kai and Jordan were amazing and we felt comfortable with Kai's driving abilities the entire time. We are not physically fit but thought we would be fine on this tour- Read the warnings - and listen! Although we were exhausted and did nothing else the rest of the day- it was a beautiful tour but it was extremely hard on our bodies and would listen better next time! But we did it and got to go inside sea caves! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Inside a cave! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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5/5 - Absolutely unforgettable Na Pali experience We went out with Blue Dolphin Charters and it was hands down one of the best experiences of our entire Kauai trip. From the moment we boarded, everything felt organized, safe, and well-run. The crew was amazing--super friendly, knowledgeable, and you can tell they genuinely love what they do. They made the whole trip feel relaxed and fun and special The scenery is honestly unreal. Seeing the Na Pali Coast from the water is something you just can't compare to anything else--it literally feels like a movie. We were especially hoping for wildlife, and we got lucky--dolphins turtles and one whale! What I loved most is that it wasn't a party boat vibe at all. It was more about the experience, the views, the snorkeling If you're on the fence--DO IT. This is one of those bucket-list experiences that actually lives up to the hype. read more

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My family and I went on the sunset cruise with Captain Kealoha, Nicole, and Cole! Such a fun crew to experience the beauty of Nā Pali with. They were kind, entertaining (especially Nicole's dancing and singing lol), attentive to each person, and great photographers! Food was so yummy I had to get seconds, even the cookies were delicious! Overall, an amazing experience I got to share with my family and would do it again! Mahalo read more

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Of the 6-8 adventures and activities we did on Kauai, including some free hiking and snorkeling, the Blue Dolphin catamaran event was one of the best values. J-Sea, Lily, Cole and Zeke worked as a very effective team, and they all seemed to enjoy their work. I felt they were well qualified and kept everyone safe. They observe safety as a top priority so the briefing was quick and effective. We took our shoes off before boarding so most people were bare feet. They don't allow open toe shoes, so don't wear sandals on board. Breakfast and lunch was not unlimited but I think adequate for the type of adventure; most people are focused on sightseeing, snorkeling and bouncing with the waves on the way back (to the point of discomfort). The staff are very attentive, enthusiastic and sincerely working above and beyond. They circulate among the customers, stopping to chat with each of us and ask us how we are doing, handing out food, collecting our trash, and generally hovering over us when the ride is bouncy to catch us if we fall. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - The best crew you can hope for! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

We did the sunset dinner cruise along the Nā Pali coast with Captain Evan, Collin, and Jordan. Awesome boat ride with beautiful scenery and views. Capt Evan was amazing with his knowledge and stories, and Collin and Jordan took very good care of the passengers, making sure everyone had drinks, food, and even taking pictures of us. The vibe on the boat was relaxed and chill, making for a fun and relaxed day/evening. Highly recommend the Sunset Dinner Cruise by Blue Dolphin Charters, specifically with Captain Evan, Collin, and Jordan. Also, I would like to add that they seem to be the only boat on the dock that has double decker seating. This is awesome and does contribute to better views and makes for a better ride. read more

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Just got back from the Nepali coast morning tour. It was fantastic. The sights that you see words can't describe. The crew took such good care of us.Captain Evan and his crew were so professional it was so special. They had personal at each set of step helping people get up and down without falling. Dylan, Rider, and Byron were running food and drinks for all the guests in between fall duty. Our tour lasted 5 1/2 hours and well worth the price thanks blue dolphin. read more

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This was the highlight of our Kauai trip and one of the best tours we've taken. The crew was amazing and the trip was really well organized. Due to another cruise company cancelling on us short notice, we booked the morning snorkel tour the day right before and were able to schedule without issue. I called their front desk to confirm the reservation and they quickly assisted. I regret not remembering the name of our captain and his crew members, but they were why this tour was so great. They were very informative with the details of our agenda, safety protocol, fun facts, and gear prep. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. The captain always provided expectations of what would be next on the tour, such as when the ride would get more intense (a.k.a. "adventure"). Even though it's a longer tour, the schedule was well paced and didn't feel prolonged. We were served snacks, beverages, and lunch throughout the time, which was nice especially when the ride was choppier. They had a nice playlist of music too. Toward the latter half of the trip, there was an open bar and mai tai's were provided. The snorkeling was fun. They had everything we needed - Scuba masks, fins, floater vests, noodles. You had the option of getting into the water, chilling onboard with coffee, or even just sitting halfway in the water on the bench in the back of the ship. We saw plenty of fish and a whole pod of dolphins. The boat itself was great. I liked that there was both covered seating on the first floor and open air seating on the top deck. I took a Dramamine the night before, and another one the morning of. The Napali part of the cruise is definitely a wild ride and I usually get nauseous on boats, but fortunately felt fine. There are many Napali boat tours to choose from but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Blue Dolphin Charters. read more

Our crew was AMAZING!! Paige, Jordan, Zeke & Captain Evan were all so personable & made the experience amazing!! Jordan was such a prompt host/server with drinks& made sure our party never had an empty glass! Evan was so informative with tour information & history about Hawaii. Zeke made me some bomb*aa dumb blondes, & made sure my husband had to keep an eye on me! And Paige, we all know that she is the real boss of this boat. She kept the guys in line and all of the guests happy! She was the diamond on this trip!! That girl needs a promotion! And thank you for the homie hookup with the cookies Paige!! read more

Bucket list checked!!! We did the Napali coast dinner cruise..... better than I ever could have imagined!! Captain Kai spread so much wisdom and humor, he was amazing!! Seriously, best I've ever had!! And Colin and Pa'a were the best crew!! I have Seriously had this on my bucket list since I was a kid, and they outdid ALL expectations!! 11 out of 10, highly recommend!!! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Sunset while on the Napali coast tour!! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

We had a wonderful snorkeling trip and saw spinner dolphins. The views of the Napali Coast are stunning. Shout out to a wonderful crew. Captain J Sea was welcoming, professional, knowledgeable and made sure everyone was enjoying themselves. Maddie, Pa'a and Ethan were watchful, helpful and fun to be with. They genuinely enjoy their work, are people oriented and enjoy working with each other read more

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