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    Catamaran Kahanu

    4.6 (14 reviews)

    Services - Catamaran Kahanu

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    Sue L.

    Had such an awesome time on Catamaran Kahanu with Captain Lani and Jace! I booked with them because I liked that it was a family operation with fewer passengers and hence a more intimate setting. I also liked that the catamaran was small enough to back into the sea caves. The website was informative, and booking was easy. I don't generally get seasick, but took some Dramamine in advance per the recommendation of some other vacationers I had befriended. I was glad I took the advice. I would have probably gotten sick had I not. There were others on the trip who were tossing their cookies the entire time. I felt so bad for them because they missed out on some of the most breathtaking scenery ever! Na'pali Coast, man....no words. It's sooooo beautiful. The thought of taking pictures rarely crossed my mind because I was so drenched in the moment. The entire trip truly sang to my soul. The salty air, toasty sun, pods of playful dolphins (alright, porpoises) frolicking around us, chill sea turtles navigating the seas with us, waterfalls crashing into the Pacific, those glorious sea caves....there really are no words to capture this majestic experience. Captain Lani was a kind soul. He is of the sea. He built the boat himself. Jace kept us entertained with some interesting lore about our sights, as well as his adventurous life story! These guys know how to live life! They go surfing every morning before setting out on Kahanu. I'm into it. There was not one second that I didn't feel safe in their hands. There was a girl on the trip who had a fear of sharks. Jace joked that if a shark went after her, that he would jump into the ocean so that it would get him before it got her. He was joking, but I kinda believed him. I think he would! He's got that heroic vibe about him. Book with these guys. I think the trip was from 7am to 1:30pm? You're gonna wanna like the guys you're on a 6.5 hour tour with! These are your guys!

    Amazing sites
    Kent C.

    Absolutely amazing experience with a great Captain and crew!!! I recommend Catamaran Kahanu to EVERYONE! 30 years experience with the Na'Pali area we saw whales and porpoise and sone of the most beautiful scenery. Emma' knowledge of the marine life and history of the island was shared superbly. Must do! Intimate 20 person catamaran makes it very enjoyable.

    Gigi M.

    Wow.... this is the BEST boat ride of All the charters on Kauai and I've traveled with them all over the years. Why? 1) amazing motorized catamaran that is not too large.... they keep group size smallish unlike the multimillion dolllar charter companies that pack you in like Sardines on their giant boats. 2) because of the midsize of boat, the Captain is able to get you into places like reefs and sea caves that only the smaller rubber boats can normally do (he is a master at maneuvering his vessel) ... this is a major plus feature for snorkeling, swimming and upclose sight seeing of some magical land & rockscape. The big company boats can't do this. 3) since it is not one of the small rubber boats that also tout a more upclose experience you get a smooth ride... do not underestimate the importance of this! the two times I took the rubber boats I and my companions had injured backs and necks for days and weeks after. The swells and wind can make for a VERY rough ride on those other companies rubber boats but Catamaran Kahanu was fabulous and feels luxury compared to the others. 4) Family friendly.... no booze on this cruise which is perfect if you don't want to deal with obnoxious drunks and people vomiting overboard. A Simple but delicious lunch was provided. 5) This is a family (Ohana) run business. Captain got his Masters in Maritime Studies and has been a Captain for 3 or 4 decades on Kauai. His family is Indigenous to this island and the stories and knowledge they shared on their tour were nothing I've heard on any other boat tour on Kauai. This Na Pali Coast tour was absolutely Magical and I will ALWAYS use them and recommend them from now on. Hands down. PLEASE help support local family business while CHOOSING to give yourself the most Awesome Boat Experience on Kauai. Thank you Catamaran Kahanu...

    Jase R.

    Just got off the boat and so frustrated. We only have a limited amount of time here and I feel like our morning was not as good as it could be. While checking in at a hut in the parking lot compared to the buildings and cafes that other companies had we were left to find a place on some benches. Then being brought down to the boat we Quickly realized we were in trouble. The boat looked like it came off of the set of giligans island, and parked next to them were some beautiful boats that made this one look like the love bug of boats. Then getting on the boat we were told unless you are in the middle your going to get wet. And I got soaked. The only other place to sit was on a indented cooler next to a steep stairway that led to a toilet that has a broken lid and a curtain as a door with the toilet paper hanging off the cealing with rope. The ONLY saving grace was a guide that was very friendly and out going, she was pretty amazing. Other then that it was a epic fail. I would not recommend this to a family member or friend...or even an enemy. Look into other tour companies one called dolphin looked pretty amazing.

    Porpoises swimming along our boat like they knew us! I have so much footage of that!

    Today (06/18/19) could not have been any better! Graham (deck hand) was the best tour guide we have e we had. We learned so much from his positive upbeat attitude about the Nāpali coast and the wildlife. The porpoises that swam near us were so close. There were hundreds! It's like they knew the boat. We got into some of the caves, something we would not have been able to do on the larger boats. The Captain was able to maneuver back us into the waterfall! Sick! We also were able to ride closer to the shore line than some of the other boats. There was 20 people, so it's very intimate and you get to know everyone. Lunch was great with fresh pineapple grown by the Captain's family. The Captain has been doing this for 35 years and is local. His experience showed through on the trip. I am so glad we didn't take the larger, more advertised boats. I can't say enough good stuff about this day. Recommend you bring your own water (they provide other drinks) and snorkel gear. I could go on and on especially with the snorkeling but I don't want the review too long because it won't get read. Just go experience it for yourself! It will not disappoint!!

    Captain drove us into a waterfall!  Very cool experience all around!

    Our trip was totally perfect, from start to finish! From the time we booked the trip and worked with Debbie, to the time we spent on the boat with Captain and Jace... Everyone was wonderful and really attentive. There were so many highlights: sailing into a large pod of porpoises, going right under a waterfall (excellent photo opportunity!), the cool history/stories, delicious lunch, and excellent snorkeling. This was an awesome, family friendly trip, and the captain and Jace took great care with our kids. We are so glad we went with Kahanu !

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    Ask the Community - Catamaran Kahanu

    Review Highlights - Catamaran Kahanu

    Fantastic voyage up the Na'Pali coast with Captain!

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Capt Andy's

    Capt Andy's

    (2.9k reviews)

    Capt Andy's is great! They have truly wonderful customer service and have polished their outings…read moredown to the last detail. Our entire crew was wonderful. IMPORTANT NOTE: we all ended up getting sea sick (there was 5 of us), but this was not the fault of the crew at all--we learned we are all just prone to sea sickness. Especially as you near the Napali coast, it is very bumpy. Note that you will be on the boat for around 5 hours--if you are prone to motion sickness at all, we would not recommend this. It inevitably gets bumpy and for five hours, it is a lot to handle for anyone who is not an experienced with boats/sailing. ***Also note: this is not mainly a snorkeling excursion. We signed up thinking the focus would be snorkeling, but we went to a sub-par snorkeling spot (barely saw any fish) for around 45 minutes than were back on the boat for the rest of the time. This excursion is mainly about being on the boat and seeing the Napali Coast, which is very beautiful. However, overall, if you are looking for a snorkeling outing or are prone to seasickness, I would pass on this. You can see the Napali via helicopter, which may be the better option. The ride is so bumpy near the coast that it is hard to enjoy the beauty. This outing is quite expensive so we just want people to be aware of the drawbacks ahead of booking. Again, Capt Andy's is WONDERFUL and were so kind and entertaining the whole day, it is just quite a long time to be on the boat if you're not accustomed to it. If you're looking for a boating excursion, want to see the Napali Coast by boat, and don't get sea sick at all, Capt Andy's is the way to go.

    My wife and our 2 kids (10yr and 12yr) did the Na Pali Raft Day Expedition and it did not…read moredisappoint! Big shout out to Captain Robert, Zaylen and Deeds... they were a phenomenal crew! Deed's in particular took my daughter under her wing when she was a little nervous in the beginning and made her feel right at home on the boat! The raft expedition is no joke...it was a real adventure! The Na Pali coastline was absolutely breathtaking and we are so happy we got to enjoy it on a fun raft! The lunch break was fantastic, including great food and a fun walking tour. Conditions dictated that we weren't able to do snorkel, but the crew made up for it with other activities. The energy and the vibe of the crew really made this an epic adventure. The cruise out of the harbor and into the open ocean with music pumping set the tone for what we were in for...and we knew we were in for a fun day!

    Holoholo Charters - Kauai family friendly boat tours

    Holoholo Charters

    (1.2k reviews)

    What an amazing experience! Really words and pictures will never do any justice. This is something…read moreyou will just have to experience in person. The staff made us all feel like family and showed us a great time. Put it on your bucket list!

    The sunset cruise with Holo Holo Charters down the Nāpali Coast was an unforgettable experience. We…read morebooked it to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday, and it was perfect from start to finish. Captain Max was incredible--his sense of humor kept us laughing even as the rain and mist rolled in. The two women on the crew (I wish I could remember their names) were fantastic, making sure everyone was comfortable and answering all our questions with a smile. The playlist on board was spot on, setting the perfect vibe. I wish I could find it on Spotify! Despite the weather, the views were breathtaking, and getting a little drenched just added to the adventure. The food was delicious, especially the smoked pork, salad, and fresh fruit, and my husband loved the mai tais. Even without the sunset, the whole experience was magical. After chatting with other travelers, I'm convinced we had one of the best tours available. especially after talking to a couple at our hotel pool who had paid more than we did and only got snacks limited alcohol. I can't recommend Holo Holo Charters enough, and I'm already looking forward to trying their breakfast or snorkel cruise next time. If you're looking for an amazing adventure, this is it!

    Blue Dolphin Charters - Blue Dolphin's Catamarans against the Na Pali Coast

    Blue Dolphin Charters

    (1.8k reviews)

    Enjoyed an awesome sunset dinner cruise with Blue Dolphin, complete with several close-up whale…read moresightings 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.

    Fantastic whale watching with an attentive, relaxed crew…read more 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

    Na Pali Pirates - Private charter with Na Pali Experience.

    Na Pali Pirates

    (119 reviews)

    Easily One of the Best Experiences of My Life - 10/10 Would Do Again…read more If you're debating whether or not to book with Nā Pali Pirates, just do it. Hands down one of the coolest things I've ever done. Captain Dom was the perfect mix of chill, knowledgeable, and safety-conscious--dude knew exactly how to handle the boat, even when we got up close and personal with some pretty intense waves near the cliffs and caves. And Chaz? Absolute legend. Kept the vibes light with some solid (and delightfully cheesy) jokes, plus he snapped a ton of pics so we could actually enjoy the moment without worrying about our phones. But the real highlights? Getting insanely close to the cliffs and feeling the sheer power of the ocean, then just floating out in the middle of nowhere, taking it all in. Oh, and did I mention we saw THREE whale breaches and a bunch of dolphins? Unreal. If you're on the fence, take this as your sign to book it. Zero regrets, just pure adventure.

    If you are looking to see the Na Pali coast at high speeds and incredibly close up while in Kauai,…read morethis is the tour for you. My son and I did the morning tour and had one of the most incredible experiences of our lives. Not only will you get up close to the cliffs, you will venture inside caves and thru tunnels w scenery that will leave you speechless. Our captain, Dom, and first mate Chaz were fantastic. Not only do they educate you with historical and geographical knowledge of the island, but Chaz will have you cracking up w his Dad joke "Dad-a-base" lol. If you are in good health, and enjoy a fast pace, exciting tour, this is for you. Mahalo!! \m/

    Na Pali Catamaran - Family photo on Catamaran !

    Na Pali Catamaran

    (240 reviews)

    DRAMAMINE, y'all…read more You're choosing to do the Na'Pali coast from the North Shore, which means smaller boats, and choppier waves. I took one Dramamine, the night before. Then another, an hour before our departure. AND THE BOAT RIDE WAS GREAT. I was all smiles and adventure and breathing -in the ocean air and wind! Unlike, a few folks, who were NOT doing so well. (One or two barfed over the side, but thankfully I didn't notice. Know how your body handles boats and waves. Don't do tours like this, without proper prep. It will NOT be fun if you underestimate it.) Check-In staff was super friendly, and personal. They remembered me from my original email. Sweet. Parking was easy. Shuttles team was super friendly. The strangers we rode with, all turned out to be cool. 2 boats go out (mini-catamarans, with cover from the sun). They expertly traverse the waves, and cliffs, and the caves, giving you some amazing first-hand visuals and photos. But yeah, that boat will be a rockin', during those up-close cave moments. Spoiler: You probably won't see whales, unless you're there before May. But we DID see a cute pod of Dolphins, who cozy'd up to our boat for a while. Our boat had Casey and Spencer. They were wise beyond their years, in all things Kauai. Funny and friendly. Spencer navigated the heck out of those waves, while Casey handled the nauseous passengers with MOTHERLY CARE. Spencer was 50/50 on allowing us to snorkel, based on conditions and a previous scare, a few weeks prior. But he ultimately made the call to GET IN THE WATER. He wisely kept us on a leash (not literally), whistling at swimmers when they got too close to a reef (with waves that could wash you onto the reef). It was fun and chill. Saw a HUGE, MASSIVE KING DADDY SEA TURTLE. He did not enjoy us as much as we enjoyed him and he bounced. Followed by a JR. Turtle, who stuck around a bit longer. Tons of fish. Spencer & Casey gave us good food and hike recommendations, and everyone treated us like friends / family. Highly recommend this team if you're going out. And you already know I highly recommend some Dramamine.

    Spectacular experience on all levels. Highly recommend this company. We went near the end of the…read moreseason in October so we weren't able to snorkel but the trip was wonderful anyway

    Catamaran Kahanu - boatcharters - Updated May 2026

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