What an awesome trip. Ikena and Randy are awesome. I highly recommend this crew…read more As a boat guy I am very picky about the boat I take on the ocean. The boat was very clean and probably the nicest boat here in Lihue. Caught a huge 250lb marlin and what an experience. I will absolutely go out with them again when we come back. The guys are super friendly and easy to talk with. If you want to go fishing this is the place. Thanks for an adventure none of us will ever forget.

We had a great 6-hour charter with Randy and Dylan yesterday! Both were super knowledgeable and…read morehelpful, and our group of 6 was each able to reel in fish. We caught mahi, skipjack tuna, and yellowfin tuna. 14 in total brought back to the dock! Overall, we all had an excellent day with great captains on a beautiful boat, can't ask for much else!

We had the best time!! Even during "winter" but please keep in mind these guys cannot control the…read moreweather! It is not their fault if the ocean is rough that day. And yours need to cancel, turn back, or etc. And even on a nice day, it's the ocean and the water/wind is unpredictable. Even those not prone to seasickness need to come prepared! There is plenty of ways to prep in advance and ensure your not in the middle/back looking at the deck or a bag the whole time. We saw so many humpback whales! And even a mama and her baby! As well as Hawaiian spinner dolphins! And of course the Na Pali coast line! Even on the way back blasting thru the ocean I was able to spot humpbacks in the distance. So it's also what you make of it and my husband and I really had the best time. I also want to say this but all of us are just guests on Hawaii and yes we are paying for a tour but they are stewards to showing us some of the most important parts of Hawaiian history and landscape. That is a PRIVILEGE and I think too many of us forget that. I really would like to thank Shawn, Elijah, and Jay for closing out our trip with such a memorable experience. You guys are all stars! Mahalo!!!

If you're on the fence about whether this tour is worth it -it absolutely is. We honestly had zero…read moreexpectatons and booked a morning tour in January, and it turned out to be the best decision. The water was calm enough for snorkeling, and we got incredibly lucky - we saw hundreds of dolphins, whales, albatrosses, turtles, and so much more. And that's not even mentioning the unreal beauty of the Na Pali Coast. Huge shoutout to the captain, who made it feel like a full-on adventure - taking us through sea caves, near waterfalls, and still making sure everyone felt completely safe the entire time. A few tips if you're not very experienced with boats: - Definitely bring towels and warm clothes -- it can get very windy. - Sunscreen is a must. No explanation needed. - Take Dramamine about an hour before boarding if you're worried about motion sickness. Everyone in our group took it and felt great, unlike a couple of other tourists who were clearly struggling. The worst part is when the boat stops and rocks on the waves. Another awesome bonus was the unlimited drinks, plus really tasty sanwiches and snacks throughout the tour. Highly recommend - this ended up being the best experience we had in Hawaii!

Captain Rane and Herbert were great! It was fun hanging out with them while fishing. They took…read moregreat care to make sure we were comfortable and having a good experience. This boat is larger, has a smooth ride, AC and bathroom. We caught a nice Mahi-Mahi and skipjack!

My family and I had an EXCELLENT DAY WITH Apex Fishing charters lead by Captain Rane and his…read moredeckhand Ryan. We did a 10 hour private charter which was the way to go. We caught so many fish that it was exhausting to reel them in at the end. The boat was immaculate and we loved the hustle of these two guys. They made a very memorable day for us and I wouldn't hesitate to book them again. ***went on April 8, 2024

My wife and I did a napali coast tour a few years ago on a bigger boat with a different company and…read morehuge crowd of passengers so my expectations were set at 7/10 Today blew the previous out of the water to a 10/10 via a few different factors but the team was def the best part -- had a crew of 3 with Capt Dom, RJ, Jake & these guys were great. Banter among them kept it light but they remained professional all while providing the best service and including all guests in convo. To top it off their "tour guiding" / related facts about the coast were great Aside from the team -- loved the smaller boat that could go into the caves, which also made the guest pool smaller around 15. Highly recommend this experience and if we decide to do it again wed only go with this company

This was by far the best tour experience I have ever had. Captain Manu and Rocky were amazing…read moreguides and were very hospitable. My mom had the hots for Captain Manu lol. Back to the tour. It had a bit of everything snorkeling, snacks, excitement, beautiful scenery and history about this part of the island. If you're in Kauai do yourself a favor and book a tour with Na Pali Experience but hands off Captain Manu, my mom calls dibs P.S. Hit me up Captain Manu if you want my mom's digits

We were on the NCL Pride of American and wanted a beach day…read more Within 15 minutes of walking, here we were, the beach. We rented chairs and an umbrella. We thought we would get small beach chairs. Nope, we got nice lounge chairs! The umbrella was a must as it will rain on and off. Also, it provides nice shade. We were close to restrooms, shops, and Duke's restaurant. The staff were super friendly and accommodating. We will book through them again.

Beach Boys catamaran sunset cruise…read more I arrived to the Nawiliwili Bay & Hulei'a River cruise boat slip to join the other passengers on a sunset cruise. This particular day, for whatever the reason, didn't have too many passengers. It made for a better cruise experience, in my opinion. After the normal safety briefing, we set off on the Kalapaki Kai II (smooth sailing gorgeous catamaran!) with the captain narrating the entire evening. While this was not a dinner cruise, we did enjoy a full service bar with light snacks during the evening. In my opinion, the cruise seemed uneventful and not very entertaining, but I am not necessarily interested in history, which is mainly what the captain spoke about during the cruise. He did a thorough job speaking about the Kauai scenery, fish ponds, mangrove trees, Haupu mountain range, Kalapaki Beach, the lighthouse, golf-course and Kauai's still-standing original hotel! We even watched numerous people surfing in the Nawiliwili Bay.... Can't say I'll see that anywhere else except Hawaii! The sunset was not anything to speak of the night of my cruise... but that is clearly out of our control! While I had a ho-hum evening... I will still highly recommend this sunset cruise! It was an incredibly smooth sail.... Short & sweet -- started at 5:30p and ended just as the sun set!

Unreal guides!! This trip was the greatest. Captain Greg & copilot Caleb made everyone feel like…read morefamily. From the lunch to the snorkeling to the vast amount of information... what a home run. Greg guided us perfectly through some rough chop and we came out on the other side ready for more. Greg is 6th generation Hawaiian so ask away... he knows everything. It is unbelievable !!! Would definitely do the tour again

Our young friend recommended this as her favorite thing to do in all of Hawaii Nei. This was her…read morethird visit because she likes to bring all her favorite visitors on this tour. After taking it myself now, I can see why! We met Captain Greg Baptiste and copilot Caleb at Kiki'aola Small Boat Harbor at 8:45 and ended about 2:45. We were supposed to end at 2:30 but got delayed by kayakers who caused boat traffic. A 6th generation Kaua'i kama'aina, Captain Greg was extremely experienced, confident, and relaxed so we felt very safe with him at the helm, even when the boat was slapping the waters and we felt like we were on a mechanical bull ride. Luckily I didn't get seasick, so it felt a like a real life Disney ride to me. However, I don't recommend this for those who get queasy. His first mate, Caleb, took turns with him at the wheel and dove in to achor us. Throughout the tour Greg educated us with fascinating facts and tales about the geography, history, and lore of the breathtaking beautiful Na Pali Coast. One of the lessons from the legend of Na Keiki a ono iwi that resonated with me was 1.Listen to your elders 2. Do not Steal 3. You are responsible for your children's actions. (Teachers, gotta love this one!!) Highlights were the open ceiling cave and iconic "Cathedral " cliffs. We stopped for about an hour or so of beautiful clear snorkeling where we got to see turtles in addition to some beautiful and large fish. They use excellent Mantis brand snorkeling gear which I really liked and will fit you for fins. After that we were very ready for lunch! They normally cater sandwiches but something happened so we assembled our own with fixings from Costco which tasted extra good at sea! The only suggestion I would have for this business is to do a better job of briefing folks about safety and how to treat the reef. Some kids in our group were sitting and stepping on the coral. Mahalo nui Capt. Greg and Crew for an incredible day trip!! Will definitely recommend this to everyone I know!

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/

We have literally done this tour over a dozen times in the last 20 years. From the start with ease…read moreof reservations to the people that check you in, to Gary the boat captain and owner, everyone was amazing. They go out of their way to make sure your trip is enjoyable. Have recommended them to many people and encourage anyone whose is in for an incredible adventure, to do it. Truly a bucket list item

Every Nā Pali Coast boat tour seems to have perfect reviews. It's frustrating to sort this out…read more I confess, I used AI to help me prioritize what is most important. - Leaves from the North Shore, so no soul-crushing drive across the island - Has a bathroom (just in case) - Has shade - Small boat that can enter sea caves - Locally run, not packed with tourists (chill vibe instead of megaphone guides) North Shore Charters nailed all of it. They're a bit under the radar and not aggressively marketed, but all the better for it. Book early. They keep groups small, which makes it better -- but also means they fill up.

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

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