My husband & I went on a Sunset cruise last week. Before our adventure the captain warned us of the possibility of not seeing the Napali Coast. The sea was very rough and we turned back early, but we saw lots of stunning cliffs. Multiple people were vomiting, but the crew was awesome about taking care of everyone. We saw beautiful cliffs, learned about Kauai, and saw whales & their calves. I highly recommend! Also, the lip balm is wonderful! I got the pineapple. read more

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The following was written by my wife Janette. On Saturday, December 11, 2021 we booked our first cruise to the Na Pali coast with Holo Holo Charters. There were approximately 50 passengers on board, plus the Captain and two crew. We were fortunate weather-wise; the calmness of the water was like a summer day on Kauai, which was very unusual for December. For safety reasons, we were asked to board barefoot. Our shoes were collected and stowed in a rolling cart, which remained at the dock. We felt we could comfortably entrust our safety to the Captain, who has been running these cruises since the 60's. He was very specific about preparing the passengers for a bouncy ride and lots of water spray, especially near the bow. Still, quite a number of passengers decided to brave the bow seats and were soon soaked, but seemed to really enjoy themselves. The towering beauty of the emerald cliffs of Na Pali is difficult to describe. It was an extra nice treat to see it all on a summer-like day. Captain J was very knowledgeable about the entire area. Because of the calm waters, he gave us a bonus on the way back. He was able to steer the boat partway into one of the caves, which was truly awesome! The hard-working crew of two were very busy during the entire trip, serving beverages and snacks, plus a tasty dinner on the ride back. We don't drink so we can't speak to the quality of the liquor on board. What impressed us the most on this trip was the congenial atmosphere among all the passengers. As annual travelers to Hawaii Nei since 1975 we have taken many whale watch cruises on Maui in December. On every cruise, there were always some passengers who seemed unfamiliar with boats and therefore not comfortable with the experience. This cruise was different; everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves. Maybe the shoeless thing is what did it, by putting everyone on an equal footing! We highly recommend seeing the Na Pali coast with Holo Holo Charters. They are the best! read more

We booked this trip for our last day in Kauai. The crew absolutely took this to a 5 star review. Chinsey (?) was so fun, so personable, and just a great spirit overall. Captain Mike was spectacular. There was another girl, I forget her name but she had so much info about the island and I loved listening to her talk. They all made the trip extra special. The scenery is stunning, and I had many moments where I wanted to cry, it was so beautiful. We wound up in a pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins and it was the coolest thing ever. They were riding with the boat and 2 of them were about 3 feet from me!! Incredible!! The snorkeling was great, so many fish and sea turtles and it was so cool to see the fish eating off the coral reef. The breakfast and lunch were way above what we expected. I'm not prone to motion sickness, but if you are, do take Dramamine before the trip and probably again at the halfway point. A few people didn't look good towards the end, my husband included. Seeing the Na Pali coast is a once in a lifetime experience and Holo Holo delivered!! read more

We went on the Leila today with an incredible crew - Kelli our captain and Wade & David. The boat is a beautiful catamaran that is designed to carry over 50 people and they Sail with a max of 37. We had 36 people. We met up at their office and walked a block down the hill to the dock. Parking was free and easy. The ship leaves from Port Allan and is easy to get to. The crew went over the safety equipment & where both bathrooms are and safety tips on getting around the boat. Once underway they welcome you to sit up front on the seats, on the trampolines, on the roof of the cabin and inside and around the back as well. The boat wasn't crowded and we had no problem finding seating or places to relax. Food and drink - breakfast was croissants, cinnamon rolls, coffee, juice and incredible fruit. The pineapple was delicious. Bottled water, soft drinks were available all day with a lot of variety. After snorkeling they opened up the "bar" and had beer of several varieties including Maui Brewing Comany blonde, wine and wine spritzers. Lunch was a great assortment of breads, deli meat, cheeses, pasta salad & more. The crew moved about the entire time offering additional beer, wine, sodas and more. They took empties and brought refills all over the boat. Snorkeling - they had great equipment and assisted everyone with what they needed and had noodles for flotation and even corrective goggles for people that needed them. The boat had two ladders and a slide to get into the water. We saw tons of fish and were close to several sea turtles. We saw a big pod of spinner dolphins later in the cruise and we stopped and watched them for a good 10-15 min. We traveled down around the coast to the Napali Coast that you can only see by air or boat. Spectacular is really an understatement! After taking pictures for people and ample time for everyone to see we headed back. The crew hoisted the sails and we sailed back for about 30 min until the wind wasn't there. The ride back was much more bumpy and wet than the way out, but not bad. We laughed and had a lot of fun. We would go again on this trip and plan to tell our friends to use Holo Holo Charters and hope they get the same crew we did. read more

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Perfect trip to the Na Pali coast! We saw so many whales and dolphins! The boat was comfortable and we didn't get wet sitting in the back. The captain (Chris) did a great job of narrating the tour and had a great sense of humor. We felt very comfortable with him at the helm. The deck crew were probably the best crew you could ever have. Friendly and helpful. Never an empty glass with them on the job. One of our fellow passengers had terrible sea sickness and they took such good care of her! We will take this tour again and hopefully get the same crew next time! read more

We took the morning sail and snorkel tour of the Na Pali Coast. Absolutely amazing! They provide breakfast, which includes fruit and some baked goods, and lunch, which consisted of a sandwich style bar and cold pasta. The food was really good! I asked if it was home made and they informed me that they get it catered in the mornings. After snorkeling they provide beer and wine and there was plenty for everyone on our tour, and extra left over. The staff is extremely nice and knowledgeable. Our tour was full and it appeared to be a lot of people but when we were on the big sail boat, it really wasn't that crowded. Parking is easy and convenient. I accidentally thought my booking was on a different day, the morning of my actual booking I called in a panic because there was no way we would make it. No problem! They rebooked us the next day for a small fee ($50) and we were all set. We purchased a Groupon which ended up being the same price as their online special the week of, so just check all the deals. Well worth the price! I highly recommend this to anyone who is visiting Kauai. read more

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Went on a Napali Coast dinner cruise. Was anything but relaxing. There's a reason pregnant women and children aren't allowed. Sea was normally calm. The ship jumped feet in the air then crashed down into the ocean. Was super bumpy and unenjoyable. Would not recommend. read more

This was an Amazing trip. The views were breath taking. The crew Was so nice and helpful. They taught us so many historical things that we did know about Hawaii. This was our first trip to Hawaii and I one hundred percent recommend holo holo charters. read more

I took a boat tour last week when it was raining. I signed up with a 4th gr and 6th grader knowing March is the rainiest month in Kauai and website discloses rain or shine. Yes it rained on and off while on the boat and of course waters were not so calm. Our captain and crew were awesome! They went over the rules and what to expect. They were attentive and served everyone on board making sure we were good. So we didn't get to see Napali coast due to the waves BUT it was a memorable experience our family won't forget! My kids favorite time on Kauai. We saw close up dolphins, whales, turtles and went snorkeling. I had intense sea sickness but still appreciated these sightings. I learned that rain is very unpredictable on Kauai so if you're booking during rainy months be prepared to face water conditions and no cancellations. read more

The boat experience from the captain to the staff on board was extremely amazing! Snorkeling was the best and swimming with seals was the highlight of our trip! read more

Wow!! Such a great half day! The Captain (Zero?) was great. Funny and informative. We saw so much and had the most wonderful time! The caves were amazing! The cliffs and coastline simply stunning. Waterfalls incredible! Spinner dolphin by the hundreds. Snorkeling was cool with a ton of turtles that day. Also got a little airshow from the USAF. If you do nothing else while on Kauai, DO THIS!! Ignore the slightly boring and arduous task of getting to the tour boat from the restaurant... it won't be the part you remember in ten or more years. We booked for a Monday but there was a storm. The canceled for that day wich was totally understandable. Booked us for Wednesday and it was great! Can't say enough good things about our experience. read more

Amazing trip on the afternoon raft adventure!! Captain & crew were great! No one got sick!!!

Loved the cruise, with the stories and history of Kauai. I have a walking disability from a stroke and went on without my cane. The crew was incredibly helpful and patient helping me move around the boat while on the ocean. read more

This was by far the best trip on our vacation and we have had an amazing adventure! The crew is professional, attentive, and fun! The captain is so talented...navigating the boat into a cave and under a waterfall. He is very knowledgeable, sharing the history of the island and details about the different wildlife we encountered! Dress to get wet and hang out on the bow...you'll get the best views! We highly recommend this trip! read more

Holoholo Charters - Sunset at the Napali Coast! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

BEST TOUR EVER!!! I went on the Napali Coast Sunset cruise and loved every minute of this tour. Jay, Jacob and Greg were amazing. The service on this tour was beyond exceptional. The staff made sure everyone had drinks in their hand the whole time, made sure everyone was comfortable, and were so fun to chat with. Music played the whole time and the captain shared info about the sights we were enjoying. Cheese and crackers and veggies were provided as an appetizer. Dinner was absolutely delicious and included kalua pork and fish tacos, chips, salsa and beans and cookies for dessert. The captain took the boat up close to several of the lava tubes which was amazing to see so close. The staff took photos for everyone to ensure we got the pics we wanted. At sunset, a champagne toast was provided and the sunset views were breathtaking. I cannot rave enough about how awesome the staff members were. They took care of each and every person, assisting people with carrying food and drinks since it can get a bit rocky on the boat. I would highly recommend this tour! It was 4 hours of pure fun and amazing views of the Napali Coast. Bonus- we got to see dolphins too! read more

Excellent experience. The staff was phenomenal and we had so much fun. This was the highlight of our trip. Be sure to take some Dramamine so you can enjoy the cruise! We will definitely be back! read more

My wife and I went on the afternoon boat tour of the Napali Coast. The view was amazing and the captain even took the boat into an ocean cave to see some waterfalls. It was spectacular and worth the money. We had unfortunate issues with the boat ride itself. There was a lot of chop the day we went out and we suspect it had to do with a tropical storm SE of the big island. This is where the crew shined. They recognized my wife and I weren't doing well with the choppy boat ride and they were extremely attentive to us and checked in on us regularly. We wouldn't have made it if it weren't for Jay and Ahren, they were the absolute best! read more

We had a great time on Holo Holos sunset cruise. We went in April so the seas were a little rough but nothing that almost everyone couldn't handle. Great day! read more

Amazing tour with Captain & crew out to the Na Pali Coast and Niihau island! We had an amazing time! Drew and Kamaile were awesome hosts making us feel comfortable and welcoming us all onboard. The other crew members made sure we were aware of safety and security while onboard and allowing us to experience the underwater world during our snorkeling adventures. Lunch was light and filling at the same time, beers were always cold! Wine and beer was readily available anytime we wanted one. Fruit and humus was awesome! Homemade ranch dip and homemade humus was so delicious! We watched the staff engage in great conversations with everyone onboard including the kids! Captain took us out to the sea caves and waterfalls up close and personal! It was such an enchanting tour and we look forward to going on another tour some time! Bare feet on the boat is a requirement unless you have a medical condition. Dry cubbies available for personal belongings you wanted to keep dry. I highly recommend you bring a waterproof bag to keep your personal items with you or close by you so you don't have to keep going back and forth into the cabin for the things you need. I had a large Calvin Kline bag that was waterproof and I was able to tuck it right under my seat without worrying about my personal belongings getting wet. You can bring your own snorkel gear otherwise you can use the boats gear anytime. If you haven't been on a boat or it's been quite sometime since you've been on a boat, I recommend you take dremamime or other motion sickness meds before boarding because the ride will and can be rough on the belly. Bring your own towels and don't forget your go pros and or other water proof cameras because you will be seeing lots of amazing things out there! Holo Holo Charters, thank you for a fascinating experience!!!! read more

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If you're in Kauai, TAKE the boat tour of the Na Pali Coast. Such wonder to marvel and feast your eyes upon. Absolutely gorgeous scenery that pictures unfortunately won't do it justice. The day of my tour we had a wonderful crew and the captain had an AWESOME playlist as well (I told the crew he was getting a 5-star rating based on that alone). Worth the money and worthy of your time. You even get to snorkel which I actually enjoyed more than my time on Maui. Plus, you get breakfast, lunch, and alcohol (the alcohol is served after snorkeling). read more

Ciro and Lauren were awesome guides! Great trip and history behind the Na Pali coast. Good snorkeling too. One of my favorite trips of the week. read more

Lovely booze cruise for grandma's birthday. Unfortunately (or fortunately!), our Na Pali sunset dinner cruise turned into more of a whale watching tour with a beautiful sunset due to dangerous conditions. I was immediately impressed by the service and the company's commitment to excellent service. They wasted no time announcing that they wouldn't be able to go to the Na Pali coast due to dangerous swells, and although they clearly state this on their website, they offered refunds or rescheduling for those who would rather sail in better weather. That's how you go the extra mile for your customers! The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. Experts at spotting whales for sure, and we got to see a lot of tails! Open bar always keeps things interesting...pack your pills if you're prone to seasickness. I recommend Holo Holo Charters without reservation. Their prices are reasonable, and they are a well-organized and dedicated company, and I plan to book a Ni'ihau tour as soon as I am able to return to Kauai. read more

They were friendly and informative the entire ride! Jay and Daniel were the main attendants on the ship keeping everyone fed and content and helping people with any and every need! Glenn (if I remember correctly) was the captain and navigated seamlessly through rougher parts and always kept things entertaining and steered us towards some beautiful views. Would 100% recommend Holo Holo Charters to anyone, and will return to Montana with many memorable stories and a scrap book worth of gorgeous pictures! read more

Such a fun morning! We wanted to do the catamaran boat trip but booked too late and took the the power boat and it ended up being so much fun. Such great views and so much good info about the island. It was definitely choppy on the way back but Holo-Holo has anti-nausea pills that you can buy if you need. The snorkeling was great. Definitely recommend! read more

We had a spectacular trip with the Captain and crew at Holo Holo Charters. A beautiful day up the Napali coast, then snorkeling next to Lehua and views of Ni'ihau. What a day! The best breakfast I've had on a snorkel boat and fresh sandwiches and salads for lunch. A variety of deli meats and sandwich fix'ens, plus moist cookies for dessert. We saw plenty of dolphin and the sea life while snorkeling was amazing. Jessica, Keenan, and the entire crew were super friendly and made our trip memorable. I highly recommend Halo Halo Charters! read more

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This is for the Na Pali Coast Dinner Cruise I see all of the positive reviews...and I am happy for these people. I want to presage my review by noting I grew up on the water...I am not a neophyte to boating. Indeed, perhaps all the more, the following review is predicated on what is wise with respect to being on the ocean. Our time with Holoholo was probably the worst vacation experience I have ever had...let alone paid for. The waters were incredibly rough and the charter should have been cancelled. Instead, it turned into a 4+ hour ride from hell...with approximately 1/3 of the people on board sea sick and many unable to eat the food on the "dinner cruise". We "sailed" for about 15 minutes...the rest of the time it was the captain maintaining "full throttle" on the catamaran that bounced, bobbed and rocked mercilessly. Seriously, it felt like a hostage taking. After 2 hours in, I started praying, "please let this end." At that point I was ambivalent regarding how it had to end...as much as I longed for dry land, I would have accepted a lighting bolt to the head. They tell you to bring sunscreen. My advice...bring serious rain gear and shampoo. Then, try not to scream or laugh maniacally when they tell you they accept Venmo for gratuities. read more

We signed up for the Napali Coast Tour but due to weather it got changed to the South Shore. The crew was great, friendly and watched over everyone. I am giving this 3 stars because of when they told us the tour changed and we were still charged full price for a different tour. They had the opportunity to text us before we drove 40 min to get there (we left our hotel at 6:15am in the morning) and they had the opportunity to tell us when we checked in so we had time to really think about it and they had a chance to tell us before we took our dramamine so we could do something else with our day........but they didn't Instead they told us right when it was time to walk to the Boat and our option was to go as is or cancel and get a refund. So we had about 5-10 minutes to make a decision to go on a different tour after we already drove 40 min, already had our kids pumped up about, already took dramamine and at the same cost or cancel and figure out what to do with our day on dramamine. Other charters did not go to Napali that day as well but we spoke to them afterwards and learned they notified their customers a lot earlier than Holo Holo. read more

We took the tour on Leila and her fabulous crew. Captain Kelly was so amazing and Keikoa was so gracious and kind. The trip was breathtaking in spite of the fact I was not doing well with the motion. I do want to send out an apology to my fellow cruisers that had to witness my vomit action... I am so sorry! I can't comment on the food or beverages because I was on a strict diet of ice and soda crackers. I will never do it again but it was absolutely worth doing. Thank you HoloHolo Charters!!! read more

A friend booked us for the niihau + na pali super tour. In the morning at check in we were informed that die to weather conditions we wouldn't be able to do the full tour of the na pali coast with but could opt to reschedule, receive a full refund, or opt in and stay for a shorter tour that would still have snorkeling off of niihau and receive a 25% refund. We stayed and I have no regrets! We set out before the sun and we're in the water to watch the sunrise. We were provided water, coffee, soft drinks, croissants, muffins and fruits. Being able to catch the sunrise over the water was so amazing (((: I ended up standing out on the bow and taking in the sights for a lot of this beginning leg of the tour while most other passengers stayed inside, as it hadn't quite warmed up yet and there was a good amount of spray coming up. The captain and crew provide history and facts about the island and marine life. We did get to spend the watching spinner dolphins and caught glimpses of whales spouting and a little flash of tail as well as sea turtles! We stopped to snorkel for an hour. The water was cool, and immediately comfortable once you get in. They provide foam noodles for any passengers wanting one. The snorkel gear provided is all in good condition, and they have a large range of flipper sizes and masks and snorkels in children and adult sizes. The crew will help you choose which size will be best for you. I'm not a good swimmers at all, so I just floated and watched all the fish along the reef. There was plenty to see! I didn't stay long because I was pretty hungry already. Lunch was a spread of deli meat cold cuts (turkey, roast beef, ham?, Pastrami (I think? I'm not a deli meat expert)) and two types of cheeses. There were also lettuce,olives, tomatoes, condiments. Celery and carrots, hummus and ranch (I think it was ranch, I didn't have any)). And a pasta salad that was my favorite thing. At this point they began to serve alcohol - wine and beer. After eating we headed back to Port. The captain keeps the tunes blasting and it was difficult not to dance all the way back. Shout out to the amazing crew on our tour. Captain Wendell has an excellent playlist for the ride and plenty of dad jokes that are a huge win for me. Jay, Kamaile, and Kamalani (please forgive me if I spelled your names wrong) are all absolutely amazing. Not only are they great at their jobs - constantly ensuring everyone's comfort and safety, super knowledgeable - but they are also just fun and real people. They definitely make you feel at home, like you're just cruising along with a bunch of your friends. And i truly wish I could have just hung out with them all day haha! 10/10 highly recommend and would 100% do again! (And would commit more time to snorkeling!!!) read more

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What an incredible day! We went out on the NaPali Coast Sunset and dinner cruise and ended up with an incredible whale experience. There were lots of pods of whales and a few dolphins. The key was when 2 whales started to breaching several times almost completely out of water about 15 feet from the boat! Captain Chris and crew were great with lots of local knowledge and insight! Must do again!!! read more

Holoholo Charters - Breaching 15 feet from our boat!! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

Captain Kelly and the crew Cole and Max did a great job on our recent December Na Pali Coast tour. They are knowledge about the boat and the sea and the sights, and you are in safe hands with them as you sail for 5.5 hours (we did a winter short snorkel and coast tour package for $160 per person, including bfast, lunch and alcohol). We started our adventure with a short trip out of the harbor to the snorkeling point. It was an overcast day and also 8:30-9AM. It appears depending on the conditions it depends which spot they stop at to snorkel so be prepared to get wet from the very start of the tour. I think that is the only thing that caught me off guard, as I read many reviews and prepared adequately for this trip. They have the gear for snorkeling, and you can pack light. We snorkeled for 45 mins, in which there is a 20ft deep reef with many different species to examine. Then was the rest of the lovely tour, in which breakfast and lunch were served and unlimited beers and wine coolers. The crew was very attentive in both their life guard skills, hosting and serving skills, and their tour guide skills. We stopped our tour a few times to chase humpback whales we saw in a near distance, and we got to see multiple breaches, tail flips, and flippers waving. The natural beauty of the NaPali coast will leave you peaceful and in awe. It's a lovely way to spend a day in Kauai and I highly recommend it to all. read more

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We were on a dinner cruise with these awesome guys recently. We had missed the views of Na Pali Coast from Pihea Trail hike day before. So we were looking forward to do this one. Prior to the trip we were told that these tours could be not so fun if people start getting seasick. But thankfully everything went well. The instructions given by our captain Ian were clearly keeping safety as main concern and they took care of us really well. Nicole and Kehoke are super helpful. Whether it is meals they offer or helping to keep your feet steady onboard or being expert medics if one gets seas sick. ( Thankfully that didn't happen to any of us!) They gave interesting anecdotes of the coastline, stopped to show us 100s of dolphins and made sure to take our photos with stunning backgrounds on their onboard makeshift photobooth. Of course, the highlight was breathtaking views of the coastline which we missed day before and cap gave ample time for all to enjoy. I will go back with them again for a day tour as well! read more

This was an amazing cruise. The staff and the captain where the best! The views where spectacular. It is a must when you travel to Kauai! Mahalo for an amazing afternoon and sunset! read more

We come to Kauai every four years or so and always do a snorkel boat charter. They've ranged in trip and service but our trip today on the NaPali Coast sail catamaran charter was by far the best yet. And the difference was service. Captain Kelly and her crew Max and Dave made us feel anything but a Tuesday-in-July tourist. The boat is amazing - sitting on the front trampolines to feel the rush of wind and spray. Continental breakfast with eggs in addition to fruit and pastries! Fantastic deli lunch. Clean bathrooms. But again, the friendly service. Sharing interesting facts about the island and its history. Bringing drinks and taking away trash. Leaving the boat feeling the Shaka of Hawaii. Thanks holo holo. read more

AMAZING! The views were so beautiful and the crew was very nice and attentive. It was a great experience and the snorkeling was so fun. My family and I felt very safe the whole time. The captain was kind and very attentive to my little sister who asked her about a million questions. Definitely recommend! read more

Holo Charters is awesome. My husband and I so enjoyed the sunset boat tour along the beautiful Na Pali coast. Captain Glenn navigated the waters expertly with great skill, a great sense of humor and a great playlist! Crew Ahren and Daniel were excellent, very attentive and so nice! We loved the experience from beginning to end and was definitely the best boat tour we have ever been on; very powerful catamaran and breathtaking scenery with an amazing staff! read more

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Gayle, Erin, Jim, and I took the Niihau + Napali Super Tour. We received a Costco-related discount on the package. Other price breaks are available. Early morning check in was at Port Allen, where we were advised that the dress code was no shoes, beach clothing, and lots of sunscreen. After receiving our on board safety orientation, we were off on Holo Holo Charters' 65' Power Catamaran. We had one of those tour days, where the weather was perfect and we got to see and experience everything described in the brochure. Even the Captain was pleasantly surprised, especially with the multiple humpback whale sightings (including George and Gracie?). Other Highlights included: - Snorkeling off the "forbidden" Niihau island and learning its history - Viewing Lehua island up close. - Exploring the Nā Pali Coast, including some close cave encounters. - Just hanging out between the sights. The water was calm, so no seasickness issues. - Being served breakfast, lunch, and adult beverages It was a great trip and a great crew, which deserved a great tip and a huge thank you for a wonderful day on the water. These kind of magical days can be rare. read more

Sunset tour did not disappoint! 3.5 hour tour was closer to 4 which was great so we could see the sun actually go down while out on the water. Captain Rich was a fantastic storyteller. The music playlist was fun for the adventure. Kamalani & Kevin were all things - kept us safe, served drinks, told stories, grabbed our garbage, played dr for some of the sea sick on board. They were fantastic. TIP: buy gift cards at Costco to save $20/$100 spent. Book via phone. Super easy and saved $60! read more

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Excellent crew, great food, and a beautiful excursion. It was beyond my expectations. Thank you all.

My wife and I had such a fantastic time on the sunset buffet cruise. The crew were very attentive to everyone's needs and continued to serve drinks throughout the night. The captain kept everyone informed on every detail of the island and slowed the boat down during the beautiful Napali Coast to allow for photographs. The food (tacos) were surprisingly very good and there was plenty to go around so no one left the boat feeling hungry. Along with serving drinks, the crew were also kind enough to take plenty of photos for whoever wanted them. If you are visiting Kauai, you would be a fool to not book this trip. It is well worth the price and I can't wait to someday return. Mahalo. read more

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