We had the best time!! Even during "winter" but please keep in mind these guys cannot control the weather! 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!!! read more

If you're on the fence about whether this tour is worth it -it absolutely is. We honestly had zero expectatons 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! read more

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OK - these guys are crazy, but in the most awesome way! We took the family out on this tour of the Napali Coast in Kauai and I'm glad we did! They warned us up front that they were going to push us out of our comfort zones, and boy, did they!! We left the harbor and sailed along the coast - absolutely stunning! We saw amazing scenery and a ton of whales, dolphins and sea birds. Where they pushed us was by backing the boat into these coastal caves that were amazing - and daunting! The winter seas were huge and those guys are experts and thrilling you and keeping you safe. We had a great time and I'd 100% do this tour again! read more

If you're even slightly on the fence about this experience -- don't be. Just book it. It was a Tuesday morning, 7:30 AM start, and I honestly expected a half-empty boat. Nope. Completely full. And that already told me a lot. From the moment we arrived, everything felt smooth, organized, and genuinely welcoming -- no stress, no chaos, just good energy. Once we were out on the water, it only got better. Crystal-clear ocean, unreal coastline views, and then the kind of moments you can't plan for. We swam with fish, saw dolphins, and even spotted whales. One of those "wait... is this actually happening right now?" situations. The crew deserves special credit. Professional, calm, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. They explained everything, made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable, and somehow managed to keep the vibe relaxed while still running a very tight operation. That balance isn't easy. Nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt forced. Just a perfectly paced, well-run tour that delivers exactly what it promises -- and more. This is one of those experiences you'll still be talking about long after the photos are posted. Huge thank you to the entire team for an unforgettable morning on the water. Absolutely worth it. read more

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My wife and I chose Makana Charters - Na Pali Kai III for our Nāpali Coast tour, and it was absolutely amazing. We'll never forget the experience. The crew was incredibly polite, friendly, and full of knowledge. They shared great information about Kauai--places to visit, things to check out, and tips that really helped us plan the rest of our trip. I definitely recommend doing this tour early in your stay. That way you'll have time to explore the spots they suggest, and if the ocean has big swells, you'll still have time to rebook. We felt completely safe on the Na Pali Kai III, and they provided sandwiches, sodas, juice, and water on board. To top it all off, we were lucky enough to see dolphins and humpback whales. Truly an unforgettable adventure. Highly recommend! read more

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I'm soooo glad I surprised my boyfriend with this excursion for his birthday! It was such a lovely way to see the coast...the caves, and hear about the history of such a lovely beautiful breathtaking coast. Oh and so thrill to see so many whales! The crew made such a difference. The captain was hilarious... Ethan and Charley were perfectly charming, friendly and helpful. Highly recommend. read more

I would not recommend Makana Charters. From my experience, they're unprofessional and the kind of business/people who cannot take responsibility of their own wrongdoing. Which is quite scary for a boat tour company when wrongdoing could lead to injury or death. Read the negative reviews they have and save your time/money. The TLDR: they don't seem to have standard business practices of what to do if a tour is canceled or to even communicate updates that a tour is cancelled. Then they couldn't care enough to make things right with me by choosing to ignore me when they realized they were in the wrong. I made several attempts to contact them to get this resolved via phone with voicemails and email but they chose to ignore me. What happened: We booked the Na Pali Coast Tour on the Seiko I & Seiko II Catamaran that was ultimately cancelled on Sunday, December 14th, and then again on Monday, December 15th, after being rescheduled. On Saturday (12/13), we received a phone call informing us that our Sunday (12/14) tour was cancelled and that we were being rescheduled to Monday (12/15). During that call, the representative assured us that we would receive another phone call if Monday's tour was also cancelled. We subsequently received an email confirmation and reminder stating that our tour was scheduled for Monday, so we rearranged our entire schedule and other bookings for the remainder of our trip to accommodate this change. Unfortunately, even on Monday, we received no phone call and no email notifying us that the tour had been cancelled. Based on the confirmation we had received and no communication about any cancellations, we drove over 1.5 hours to the boat dock and paid for parking at 12:30 PM for a 1 PM check-in. Upon arrival, we saw other guests disembarking from other tours at the harbor so we didn't question paying and waiting. After waiting approximately 30 minutes with still no communication and no one in sight, we contacted their office and was only then informed that our tour had, in fact, been cancelled. The employee we spoke said that the other representative should not have been supposed to reschedule us in the first place, which added to the confusion and frustration. She hastily ended the conversation and hung up after that realization that someone messed up. That was the last time I have been able to get in contact with the company. This experience was extremely inconvenient and, frankly, negligent. Had we been properly notified of the cancellation, we would never have made the drive or paid for parking. I tried multiple times by phone and email to contact them again to get a reimbursement for the $21 parking fee. Which is the least they could do after the lost time, gas, and avoidable inconvenience that we incurred. We would not have incurred the parking expense if not for the lack of communication from their team. They did refund us the tour amount, which from other reviews it sounds like they might not always do. I understand that cancellations can happen due to conditions outside of their control, but timely and accurate communication is essential, especially when guests are rearranging travel plans and driving long distances. In this case, I think they lied about the weather causing the cancellation due to the fact that we SAW other tours running and I read reviews of people who were able to rebook on to other companies' boat tours. If they can't even do the bare minimum of communication and accountability, it would make me question what other bare minimums they aren't doing and the kind of business practices they maintain. I hope no one gets into an accident or anything where physical injury is done because it's clear by their actions in this smaller wrongdoing that they don't even care enough to do the right thing to take accountability. read more

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I took the morning tour on the Amelia K, and it was the highlight of my trip to Hawaii. Captain Mike, Elijah, and Shelby were incredibly helpful and friendly. We not only saw the most amazing coastline, but also learned some fascinating history. It's a barefoot cruise, and they collected our shoes before boarding. Our trip took us 60 nautical miles up the coast, and along the way, we saw waterfalls, incredible mountains, lava tubes, and caves. We even went into two of the caves in the boat. We saw spinner dolphins. Lots of them. First, a small pod, and then a massive pod of over 100. The water was so clear that I could even take photos of the dolphins well below the surface. On the way back, we stopped at a beautiful reef only accessible by boat and did some snorkeling (they provided all the gear and assistance for first-timers like me). Beautiful. A turtle visited us, and I saw some fantastic fish, including the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish and a large male Parrotfish -- a gorgeous, blue, iridescent. Lunch was provided, and there were plenty of cold drinks (and two restrooms) on board. There are also shaded areas on the boat for those preferring less sunshine. The Amelia K is powerful, fast, and comfortable. Advance communication was thorough (to say the least), complete with exact parking location instructions and other details. Note: If you're doing this as an excursion while on the NCL Pride of America cruise, be sure to arrange a taxi or rental car well in advance -- it's a 30-40 minute drive from the dock, and last-minute transportation in Kauai is not always available. read more

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Our family of five toured the Napali Coast on board the Amelia K. She is a great boat! Our captain and crew were fantastic. I recommend this company and this boat to anyone looking to do a cruise of the Napali Coast. read more

Makana Charters and Tours - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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We had a fabulous time. Follow the advice of a previous review, book early in your trip because Mother Nature will determine if you can go out. Highly recommend you reschedule if your trip gets canceled, Makana is worth the wait. The commentator's sharing of history; supporting a local business; seeing dolphins, whales, and sea caves; and the actual boat ride are amazing. If you are adventurous, sit in front. It has the best photographic views, but you will feel the motion of the waves the most and may get wet! read more

I wasn't sure I wanted to spend this much money on a boat tour and when I found out winter months didn't include snorkeling I considered cancelling. I'm so glad I kept the reservation. What a wonderful experience. We saw things from the boat that couldn't be experienced any other way. The views were magnificent and although the audio from the captain was poor, the audio from the front person was great. I was surprised how stable the catamaran was in those big swells. We saw whales, flying fish and watched the interaction between sea birds and their symbiotic relationships. Very interesting. The scenery was awe inspiring read more

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Such an amazing experience! The whole team was so kind, fun, and truly made the trip unforgettable. I loved how much history they shared along the way -- it made the tour feel extra special. We had a great lunch, plenty of time to snorkel, a smooth and scenic boat ride, and even the chance to jump off the top of the boat for a swim. It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Yes, I would absolutely recommend this tour! read more

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We loved Makana Charters! We took a tour of the Na Pali coast on the Amelia and their captain and crew were amazing. I couldn't believe how close we got to the cave especially with the waves. The captain Makana was an excellent driver. Both the crew members Charlie and Elijah (I think) were also helpful, kind, and really took the time to care for the passengers. We saw a whale, turtle, and tons of dolphins, but the real highlight was the Na Pali coast! Incredible and breath taking! Would recommend this crew again as it provided for a pretty smooth ride in December to the Na Pali read more

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This tour was hands down my all time favorite experience in Hawaii. it's totally worth the hype, and this is the right company to book a Na Pali Coast tour with!! They're a locally owned group & are very passionate about their Hawaiian culture and history. Our captain, A'a, shared facts about the island and coast, and also shared some wonderful personal stories that really painted the picture of how much he loves his homeland! We loved his spirit and energy, and his associate on deck, Kanaa***, also added to the fun times on the tour. It took about an hour to get to the start of the coast, with some stops along the way for stories and fun facts of what we were seeing. I don't want to give too much away, but I had the BEST marine life experience on this tour (no spoilers!!). Get ready to get up close and personal with the Ocean/ Mother Nature and all her glory, from the splash of the waves, to cool marine life sightings. The coast was absolutely breathtaking, and the crew is happy to help take pictures for you. On the way back we got to snorkel- be sure to keep an eye out for sea turtles while you're down there! The water was warm and calm, so perfect for snorkeling. NOTE: it definitely is a bumpy ride, especially near the coast, so FOLLOW THE SEA SICKNESS ADVICE THEY GIVE!! once you book, you'll get detailed tips on how to prep for the possible sea sickness. I normally have no issues with sea sickness, but I still followed their tips just in case, and i'm glad I did. if you get sick on board, the crew is well equipped and ready to support. just keep in mind once you're out there, you're stuck out there until the end, so be prepared!! read more

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These guys are the best. They know the island & waters because they grew up here & have family history on the island. They found clear water for us to jump in & swim. The history narration and music was great. Captain Mike could navigate the boat into several caves. It was amazing. Highly recommend. read more

We were the first ones there. Checking in was a bit confusing as the regular person for checking wasn't there. I believe they didn't check us in completely as when we were already seated on the boat, someone called us from Makana to see if we were coming. Let me be clear, water and I don't mix so well. I am a nervous nellie and I sink like a stone. I'd prolly drown if I I tripped and fell into a puddle of water. Even though I can't swim, I made sure my son did with lessons since he was 2. He is 14 now but I still got mom jitters. The captian (Shaun) and his crew (Rhi and Makena), did everything to make me feel at ease explaining how everything was going to go and should we require life vests, where they were and how to put them on. Should something goes wrong, they have a distress signal that goes directly to the coast guard so they know where to find us. They made me feel safe and comfortable. Should anyone feel sick, they have seasick bags, just let them know and they will grab some for you. They also had seasick patches as well. That was all during the first 5 minutes before we launched. I immediately felt so much better after that. I didn't see the captain once as he was up top steering the Amelia K. but we can certainly hear him the whole time through the PA as he pointed out species of dolphins and whales, top snorkeling areas and facts about what we are seeing. He is just so knowledgeable. He stopped at certain areas so we can capture on our phones dolphins and whales and gave us a tip to do more filming and screen shot our footage instead as they would be too fast to catch regular. Brilliant tip I might add. No one in my party got sick but there was quite a few that had sea sick bags and 1 guy on the floor hurling from the moment we launch. I noticed Rhi was always checking on him, poor guy. We got closer to the caves with rougher seas the closer we got which was totally exciting. Rhi new the perfect spots for families to stand and have a picturesque moment. She was wonderful. Makena took some kids to sit further up front which did make me nervous but that's just me. Hesitantly, I let my son up there and yay, he didn't fall overboard which is a plus. Woot. Woot. I love that sandwiches, chips, and drinks were included. We thought we would just have crappy dinky little sandwiches but nope, I was wrong, they were actually really good. Towards going back to the dock, we had a roller coaster ride at sea that my son just loved. Water splashed up on him several times and me too. I think the sea water irritated my eyes so might need to get some Visine. It didn't matter it was still fun with the captain at the helm and did I mention, he was funny too. I tip my hat to everyone.....it was just nice family outing and definitely my favorite part of visiting the island of Kauai. Thank you for a great time. I was gonna put 4 due to shaky check-in but everything else we experienced trumps it reading it back. 5 stars all the way. read more

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Unforgettable Experience!! My tour of the Nā Pali Coast with Makana Charter was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Captain Tim and Kana were warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing the beauty and history of Kaua'i. The boat was comfortable, smooth, and a thrilling ride at times. We got breathtaking views of the cliffs, sea caves, waterfalls, and crystal-clear waters! The whole experience felt both adventurous and relaxing, and the personal attention from the crew made it even more special. If you're visiting Kaua'i, this tour is an absolute must. Makana Charter exceeded all expectations -- truly a five-star adventure I'll remember forever! read more

Makana Charters and Tours - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

If you're looking for something spectacular to do on the island, THIS IS IT! Our captain, Tim and crew, Leroy and Ethan are THE BEST! They were fun, shared history about the island and were funny. They kept everyone safe and went out of their way to make sure we saw sea life. This you're is worth the $. You will not be disappointed. Thanks guys for the beautiful tour! read more

The best tour we've had in Kauai over the years! We did the Na Pali coast tour on the Amelia K and the crew was amazing, attentive & interactive with every guest. The booking & subsequent communication was easy and clear. The boat was pristine, I'm talking the cleanest bathroom I've ever seen on a tour boat and everything from seat pads to floor were in tip top shape. The sammies were pretty tasty, I loved the sprouts addition (why do basic sandwiches taste so much better after being in the ocean?!). You can tell this company operates with ha'aheo & aloha. Support this native Hawaiian owned business, you won't be disappointed. read more

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Absolutely perfect day! The narration was fabulous, I can't say enough about how terrific it was utilizing a family owned company, run by the great grandson of the oldest 100% Hawaiian on the island. (And I did the whole day with no Dramamine) read more

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So happy we booked with Makana! The tour was amazing. The staff was great! They walked around to chat and check in with everyone throughout the tour. The sandwiches were pretty amazing. Tasted like they were just freshly made. The bathroom was a plus! Especially with little ones. read more

Makana Charters and Tours - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Captain Mike knows about Napali Coast including the native culture and rituals. We learned about the sacred sites and landmarks that other tours did not mention. We were able to see whales. He respects signals sent from the sea animals and keeps distance from them when they are not comfortable. We saw a large pod of friendly dolphins swimming and riding the waves from our boat. Lunch was great. They care for customer health and looked for and found clean snorkel area especially after heavy rain. The most spiritual crew you can get! read more

Mike and his crew were terrific--knowledgeable and fun. They know what they are doing and we had a great time. Support native-Hawaiian owned businesses like this! read more

AVOID THIS TOUR. As other reviews have mentioned - Makana Charters cancelled on us the day right before our tour with no apology, and we had booked with them weeks in advance. They claimed the cancellation was due to the weather, but I called two other Na Pali cruise companies that same day, and they both said that there were no weather concerns and that their cruises were on schedule. Luckily, we were able to book with another tour instead for that same date. The weather was perfect so I don't know what Makana was referring to (although the ride was choppy as already expected). Perhaps Makana didn't fill their booking capacity and opted to cancel, but I might be wrong. The other tour company we went with wasn't fully booked, but they still set sail, and the experience ended up being the highlight of our trip (this other tour included snorkeling which was an unexpected blast!). There are several other locally owned Na Pali cruises available. Save yourself the hassle of being cancelled on by this company and book with another instead. Chances are, you'll be able to find a "Plan B" on short notice if you get cancelled on, but nip this potential inconvenience in the bud and focus on enjoying your vacation instead. read more

This Na Pali Coast tour was just amazing! Makana Charters is native Hawaiian owned so it was awesome to support a local business!! We had the pleasure of having Shawn and Ky as our captain and crew member on Seiko II. The best uncle/nephew duo out there. They were both so funny, kind, and made this experience unforgettable! They made sure everyone felt super safe and comfortable throughout the whole tour! We loved how they shared history about the island with us as well!! We saw so many dolphins, got close to the caves, and got to swim out in the beautiful clear waters! Booking and communication before the trip was easy and stress free. Check-in was quick as well! All in all would recommend this tour company to anybody and I will definitely be coming back!! We love you guys! read more

Amazing tour of the NaPali coast. Staff were amazing, knowledgeable and kind. We would definitely go with them again

This tour company is a rip off. They STOLE $400 from me and gave me NOTHING IN RETURN. They are the definition of FRAUD and the credit card company will be contacting them (hopefully to punish them for dishonest and predatory business practices). There was a scheduling error and they offered NO recourse, NO alternative tours and- most importantly- NO REFUND. There are many reputable tour companies in Hawaii- they are not one of them. I don't know how a company can operate and stay in business by STEALING people's money and then rudely dismissing them. Trip Advisor/Viator is even worse. But they are happy to cash in a commission and offer zero customer service. Hopefully these scammers go out of business soon- not sure how many relatives this family has to stuff the reviews with fake positive reviews- but pay attention to all the negative reviews- that will tell you all you need to know. I'm sure they will offer some lame excuse and justify stealing my money. Bottom line is they got $400, Trip Advisor got a commission, and I got NOTHING FOR THAT MONEY. Any decent business would offer a refund. They did not even offer to reschedule. My refund request was rejected 5 minutes after I submitted it. Hopefully there is enough FRAUD reported to credit card companies so that they can put them out of business, and protect innocent customers from their strong arm STEALING from tourists. read more

Excellent tour, fun, good historical knowledge, saw lots of marine Life including dolphins, sea turtles and multitudes of fish. The captain was awesome and the two staff members Shelby and Lionel were so helpful. I would highly recommend this tour read more

We had an incredible time today on the Na Pali Coast Tour. The crew was fantastic - so friendly and knowledgeable. We got to see dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. Lots of great photo taking! Would recommend this tour 100%! read more

We did the 5 hour snorkeling tour. The trip was absolutely amazing and everyone aboard was knowledgeable and I learned so much. They provided lunch and offered me with a gluten free choice which was so kind. The trip itself was smooth and we saw so much. we went through batches of dolphins, jumped in and snorkeled in a cove and then went to find whales which was humbling. Over all from start to finish it was an amazing, just so amazing. I highly recommend read more

My family (2 adults, 4 kids aged 6-17) had a great time in our tour. The water was a bit choppy and the ride was a bit rough. We were able to snorkel, which was fun. On our way to the coast we saw dolphins and humpback whales. And then the cliffs themselves are just breathtaking. The crew members were all super nice and the sandwiches for lunch were fresh and tasty. We would definitely recommend this tour. There are a lot of different groups offering tours and I'm glad this is the one we ended up going with. This is a must do activity while visiting Kaua'i. read more

Makana Charters and Tours - NaPali coast - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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A'a made the tour more than we could have hoped for! He is so caring and in touch with each passenger. His knowledge of the island is incredible. His boat driving skills are astounding. We throughly enjoyed our trip 100 percent. Even the sandwiches were delicious. A'a was able to show us amazing caves. He knows so much history that it made the tour fascinating. Asia was also very helpful and kind as A'a's assistant. Snorkeling we saw dozens of colorful fish species and one big sea turtle. We stopped to watch the spinner dolphins that were right next to our boat. They were like four feet from us. Thank you for a beautiful day, worth every penny. read more

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Beautiful scenery, good crew. Saw a Big whale apparently teaching a small whale how to breach - good show. Great crew, Expensive but fun!

Hands down- a great tour of the Napali Coast. We had a perfect day- great weather and no clouds. Makana took us on a great tour, into the caves and shared tons of info about Hawaii on the trip. Stopped for snorkeling, lunch and a ride back. Also, huge props to Makana and his staff for going the extra mile diving down searching for a lost ring on our trip of a passenger! read more

Highlight of the trip! Leroy and the entire crew made this trip fantastic. We researched so many different charters and were so glad we went with Makana. The Amelia K took us out to the Napali coast. We saw plenty of dolphins and whales. We got to snorkel and see the breathtaking views of the Napali coastline. The captain and (Naka?) told so many great stories about the history of Kaua'i. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Kaua'i. read more

Did the Nepali coast today with makana charters aboard the seiko II. Our captain was Tim and assistant was Lionel. So much knowledge between these men. It's a 16 passenger boat and they were able to get us in the caves. It was truly an amazing experience. We saw spinner dolphins, turtles, so many whales and of course the amazing coastline. We snorkeled and had a great sandwich for lunch. Very happy with this decision! read more

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So amazing! I looked at multiple charters before confirming with Makana and so happy we chose them. The crew was friendly, engaging and knowledgeable- they are locals and you can feel the pride in their work. We didn't feel like just another tour group, we were on the Napai Kai. Bonus on our trip was seeing hundreds of dolphins and at least 10 whales. Definitely will return! read more

Makana Charters and Tours - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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Got out today on the Seiko II.... Absolutely Amazing, Capt. Shawn and 1St Mate Kahiel (so sorry, Brah, I know I butchered your name but I learned about you, your roots, and how deep you can dive... and you were the best part of my train wreck backflip attempt off the top of the boat) Folks, take this ride. It's the best half day I've had on this gorgeous island! Mahalo, Makaha .... Especially Shawn and Kahiel.... You made the trip what it was.... Spectacular, Stunning, and darn good FUN! Mahalo, Jon & Rachel Castle Rock, CO read more

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Absolutely no complaints! We went on a morning tour on the Amelia K. The views were amazing! The crew interacted with everyone during the tour. They would clean your glasses for you if you got wet from the ocean spray, make sure you had a drink if you wanted one, etc. A few people started to get sick at one point but the crew was very helpful to them and even held an ice cold water bottle on the back of their necks to help them feel better. We all took Dramamine so no issues for us but it's the perfect sized boat with open air and some covered seats so it's supposed to be the best for not getting sea sickness. We saw several spinner dolphins and got to nose into sea caves! So cool!! We loved the sights, the crew, the whole experience! It was definitely the highlight of our trip. The boat is just the right size. Not too big and crowded like other boat tours I've been on. They serve you a nice sandwich, some chips, and unlimited beverages. Highly recommended! read more

This was an amazing way to see the Na Pali Coast! Views of the coast, caves, and valleys were unbeatable. We also got to snorkel and saw a huge pod of dolphins! Everyone was friendly, informative, and safe! read more

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