DRAMAMINE, y'all. 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. read more

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Had a great experience this week with Lance and Miguel. Before we even got out of the bay we had an amazing dolphin encounter. The tour itself was both breathtakingly beautiful and informative, with lots of great history and a thorough knowledge of the coast's features. We were able to get in close to the cliffs and even go into a couple of sea caves. On the way back -- a very bouncy and splashy affair in the best way for those of us who were adventurous enough to sit in the bow -- we stopped at Tunnels Beach to snorkel the outer reef, which was full of tropical fish and turtles. The tour included lunch and refreshments as well. Overall a great way to spend an afternoon -- definitely a 5-star experience. A word to the wise-- the northwest corner of Kaua'i is often rainy and can get a bit cold when the wind is up, so not a bad idea to bring something extra to throw on after you finish the snorkel and are heading back to port. read more

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I had an amazing experience doing the Na Pali Coast tour with them. Had to reschedule the tour due to some rough weather but glad we got a better slot with calmer conditions. The captains were very informative, knowledgeable and engaging. They gave great background and history about all the spots we saw. We even saw some dolphins up close. We got to sit at the bow of the boat on the way back. They gave us snorkeling gear and allowed us to go out in the water and explore. We saw some amazing sea life and coral reefs. They gave us lunch, snacks and soda after. The ride there and back was also very smooth. I would highly recommend booking a tour with them! read more

In 2024 we came to Kauai after a 16 year wait. Unfortunately due to weather our trip got canceled. Fast forward to this June 2026 we're both signed up for the Napali Coast tour in the afternoon with Na Pali Catamaran out of Hanalei. Being a photographer I didn't really know what to expect but given all the big bright colorful images I'd seen all over the area of the jagged peaks we were hopeful for clear weather. And on the weathercams.fsa.gov website the owner showed us in the office, the west side of the island look clear. We were shuttled down to the Hanalei River where we boarded a smaller boat and were ferried into Hanalei Bay and onto our boat the Kamahele Kai III. Capt. Casey and first mate Makana greeted us, gave us all the safety information and off we went. Normally on this trip the snorkeling portion at Tunnels is done on the way back. However the weather has other plans for us and Capt.Casey wisely recommends we stop to snorkel first. Roughly 45 minutes snorkeling on the outer reef. Really cool seeing a sea turtle. But with the ending of the snorkeling here comes some light rain. Still ok. The trip around Ke'e Beach and down along the Napali Coast was incredible. The weather hung onto the top of the mountains giving us shrouded peaks with drama. Along the trip the information Casey and Makana gave us was like being in a fascinating Anthropology class. Both are incredibly knowledgeable about the plants, animals and history of the island's geological history but also the people's history. And their Hawaiian pronunciation of words seemed spot on in my ears. On the way back is when we really hit the rain. It was coming down so hard on the island that the thin waterfalls we saw on the way out were now running fat and swollen. The flow into what was prior a turquoise color water was now deep mud brown. We knew this was something different when Makana took an iphone video of the flows and commented he'd never seen this before. Sure glad we stopped at Tunnels first. Next time we're back on the North Shore we are definitely booking this trip again and will try and get on the same boat Casey and Makana are piloting. The weather makes its own drama but it's the people that make a trip special and Na Pali Catamaran accomplished that in spades. read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Weather coming in on Ha'eana Beach from Tunnels and the beginning of the Napali Coast. - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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

Had a wonderful experience on the Na Pali Catamaran tour. Our captain and guide were both excellent and made the trip fun and educational. It's clear the entire crew loves what they do. As we entered Hanalei Bay, we saw several pods of spinner dolphins which was an unexpected treat for the afternoon tour. The day we had was perfect for going into sea caves and snorkeling at Tunnels Beach. Despite rainy weather when we set out, by the time we were snorkeling it was sunny and beautiful. This tour is enjoyable rain or shine. I had the good fortune to swim with a honu (sea turtle) and saw dozens of interesting fish. I will never forget the experience! There is ample room to move around the boat, plus having a bathroom on board is a plus. I had an unpleasant surprise to learn I get sea sick. Our guide helped me through making me feel much better with some tips and tricks of the trade. Despite feeling queasy, I was smiling and enjoying everything I could feast my eyes on. I would do this tour again in a heartbeat. Looking forward to our next adventure to the unmatched beauty of the Na Pali coast. read more

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Besides showing us beautiful sights the crew was very knowledgeable. Perfect size boats.

Excellent tour up the Napali coast from Hanalei Bay. Casey, the photobomber in the picture, and Captain Soencer, were both informative on Hawaiian history, culture and had a genuine care for their job and the customers on the boat. Couldn't have asked for more! Every person from checkin to the shuttle crew to the boat crew were excellent! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Casey and our crew at the cathedrals Napali Coast - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Had an amazing day on this boat. Loved the whole team from the front office to the captain and mate. Within minutes of taking off we saw bottle nose dolphins! Loved all the history the crew shared and they made so many great stops to see waterfalls, caves or just the sheer beauty of the Napli Coast. The boat was by far the best way to go. Plenty of seating which had shade for most seats. It has a bathroom and the double hulls made all the difference when we were heading back through rougher waters. We had a really nice sandwich for lunch but the highlight was snorkeling. Within seconds we saw a turtle which was amazing, plus so many colorful fish. We had a GoPro and captured some great photos. read more

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Our Catamaran was manned by Casey and Miguel, and we had an awesome time out on the water. I honestly didn't know what to expect as we did a helicopter tour just the day prior, and I wasn't sure if we would see any more of the Na Pali coast than what we already saw in the air, but boy was a wrong. Casey took us into a cave, and it was one of the best experiences on a boat we have ever had. Casey and Miguel did a great job giving us the history of the Na Pali coast. We even lucked out by seeing pods of spinner dolphins at the beginning and at the end of our excursion. Also, kudos to Marina for answering all of my questions at the time of booking, before we arrived, and the day we arrived. Last, but not least, do yourself the favor and highly consider leaving out of North Shore vs Port Allen (South Shore); if you depart from South Shore, you will waste a lot of time cruising up the west coast seeing much of nothing spectacular. I contacted many companies, and Marina totally sold me on going with Na Pali Catamaran. You should do the same. read more

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Na Pali Coast Deluxe Catamaran tour in amazing. Chellen and Casey are number 1 at what they do. Great trip Chellen backed us into 3 caves. Waterfalls, it was incredible. Highly recommend. The top tour of Kauai read more

Organized, prompt, friendly! Nick and Clay were knowledgeable and experienced captains! read more

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Honestly, this was one of the best things I've ever done. Ever. Full disclosure: I did a Napali Coast tour from Port Allen last year which was excellent. This was very different but so much better. First, if you're staying on the north side, it's an eight minute drive from Princeville. Early in the morning this is a huge plus. Second, once you board and are on your way, the scenery is there. It's beautiful. Instantly. Third, the boat is small. You literally hug the coast and go inside the caves. THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!! DOLPHINS! We saw dolphins! Soooo many dolphins! Ok this isn't a guarantee but it was so cool! They take you offshore Tunnels Beach for snorkeling. While there are other boats there, we saw lots of fish and turtles. GREAT LOCATION! Lunch is served there and then you head back. Finally, the crew was amazing! Clay and Miguel know SO much. They told us about a lot is the history of the various places we saw. I felt safe the entire time, as Clay navigated through the caves and tunnels. He also stopped at significant places along the way to tell us about them--a much more personal experience. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! read more

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1000% everything went great! Terrific friendly crew, smooth weather, boat was appropriate & roomy for the trip, lots of time in sea, caves, snorkeling, good delish sandwiches, snacks & drinks. What more could we want? Pick this for your Napali Coast trip. It's very close to the destination, so you get much more sightseeing & less rocky ocean. They aren't the cheapest, but they are the best value! Be sure to leave a gratuity for the crew! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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This was a beautiful boat ride! There were awesome views of the mountains and waterfalls, and we learned the history of the area. The snorkeling was also a huge highlight - we saw several gorgeous fish and sea turtles. The boat was not quite what I had imagined it would be - it was small with stiff seats, but my husband and I rode at the front of the boat for a thrilling ride. We realized when we got back to our car that the tour ended a full hour before the time listed on the reservation, but we still felt like we got our fill and enjoyed the experience. read more

We took the tour in the morning and loved every second of it. Our captain and first mate were knowledgeable, funny and fantastic at their jobs. The scenery is unmatched and they did a fantastic job of giving us the best tour available to us, including going in the caves, as the weather permitted. Snorkeling at Tunnels was incredible, beautiful and so peaceful. We would surely do this again; my husband and I said multiple times it was worth every penny and surely a bucket list experience. Thank you for bringing the Na Pali coast alive for us! read more

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They thought of everything, going beyond incredible hospitality. Marina and her team exceeded our expectations on this outstanding adventure. So kind, attentive, entertaining and informative. WOW read more

We had a Fantastic time on Na Pali Catamaran. So much fun to go into the sea caves, snorkeling and tour Beautiful Na Pali Coast. Lunch was delicious on Catamaran!! Highly recommend !! The Temple Family !! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Na Pali Coast !! - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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Great morning on the water! Our family appreciated the organization of the team...and the friendliness. We really enjoyed both the excitement of the tour (exploring a sea cave!) and the stories told along the way. We also appreciated the eagle eyes the crew had for sea life, pointing out whales and getting us closer to pods of dolphins. The snorkeling was fun and the equipment well-maintained, and the lunch, while simple, was tasty (we had tuna, veggie and ham sandwiches) and the kids appreciated the seemingly endless bags of snacks. We've taken other tours of the Na Pali coast in the past, and this one was a great balance of information and fun, and much better than coming up the coast from the south. read more

The boat trip was amazing! My family really loves the great experience that captain and crew brought to the boat. We saw many beautiful sceneries of Na Pali coast. Such an unforgettable experience! read more

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What an amazing cruise! Captain Spencer and crew member Jason were wonderful ship mates! Spencer is one heck of a boat driver! The way he negotiated the waves to make it as smooth as possible, was impressive to this 21year retired Navy Master Chief! The boat design was perfect for the task and kept us high and dry the whole time, yet offered great views all around with wide open sides and sun protection from a nice hard Bimini that covered all of the seats. But if you wanna thrill, you can go up front in the open area and really ride the waves! Both Spencer and Jason's knowledge of the Nepali Coast, and the history of Hawaii was extensive and very interesting. They were also very friendly and gave us a lot of advice about other hikes and things we can do in Kauai. They went out of their way to make sure that we saw a pod of about 10 dolphins, cruising along in front of us and later, a mother whale and her calf surfacing not far from the boat! The time snorkeling at a beautiful little reef with sea turtles, and lots of fish was also so fun. I highly recommend this four hour adventure for anyone and any age! read more

We recently took a tour down the Napali coast, and it was absolutely magical. From start to finish, we felt completely taken care of. The captain was so friendly and made sure to spark up a conversation with everybody on board, making us all feel very welcome. The boat was comfortable and spacious. Our family had a total blast and would definitely do it again. Definitely book through these guys! So professional, safe, fun and informative! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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We got booked this experience through our wedding registry on The Knot by SPUR experiences and so I didn't know left from right when it came to the options out there. But let me tell you after spending the morning with Captain Casey & crew I'm fairly certain this is the best tour. You will pass all the other boats along the way and they are.... Rough. This Power Catamaran was stable, big enough to move around on, had a lot of handlebars for those without sea legs, and drum roll... It has a modest restroom. Most of the other boats are inflatables that you ride alongside of like a white water raft with no interior (it rained, and almost always will on Kauai at some point) and no restroom. I witnessed those poor souls holding on for dear life with their iPhones dangling around precariously over the ocean swells while we comfortably glided along in comfy seats. There's an up front section of seating for those looking for that wind-in-your-hair experience which made this great for families with giddy children and relaxed grandparents alike. My husband and I are fairly adventurous but this is a long tour and it's early in the morning y'all. Get a comfy boat ride. Second, Captain dropped our group off at the outer reef along Tunnels beach for some amazing snorkeling. Easily one of my best snorkeling trips on the island and I'm a return visitor here, not a newbie. The snorkeling wasn't even the reason we wanted to do this excursion but it was such a cherry on top. And moreover we got to swim with turtles just a half hour after seeing dolphins. The wild life is unreal. Book this tour! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - The boat had plenty of space to move around and take photos. The sights were incredible! - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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What an amazing experience! And amazing in the truest sense of the word (not in the way people describe avocado toast); the breathtaking beauty, the local and cultural history, and the raw power of the open ocean sculpting the Na Pali coastline. Absolutely to be experienced first hand, pictures do not do it justice! Beyond the stunning sights, the Na Pali Catamaran crew were fantastic! From the check-in, the shuttle and boat crew, the friendly professionalism was perfectly balanced. Lance was a skilled Captain, taking us into a few caves - we were fortunate to have great ocean conditions for our early morning excursions - and navigating the bigger waves on the way back deftly. Both Lance and Matt, the other crew member, were so knowledgeable and engaging, which felt like a key component of the entire experience for our group. Stopping to snorkel in a coral reef on the way back to Hanalei Bay, we saw many fish and multiple sea turtles, one which crested within feet of myself and my 10 year old daughter. So many wonderful memories made! Bonus to the experience is exploring Hanalei Town after, which is surround by the beautiful, lush Kauai landscape and offering plenty of shops and restaurants to check out. Nothing but whole hearted recommendations to book with Na Pali Catamaran if you want to take in the Na Pali Coast. 10/10! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - We travelled all the way out to the far point in this photo, as seen from the bow! - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Holy Moly! What an incredible tour we had today. Not gonna lie, a few of us started feeling sea sick but the crew had a some tricks up their sleeve to help. We prepped with some meds but they didn't kick in. Once we felt better, taking in the views, snorkeling, and education was truly once in a lifetime. We sat in the front and were soaked by the end of the ride. It was SO fun!! We couldn't stop laughing and smiling. read more

My family of four set sail with Captain Clay and Nick this summer and had a legendary day. Conditions were perfect, views were amazing, spinner dolphins made an appearance, calm waters in the glorious sea caves, ending with a beautiful opportunity to snorkel at Tunnels. Cannot recommend this tour enough. we look forward to doing it again. Thanks again Captain Clay and Nick for your hospitality & humor. We knew we were in good hands. read more

Awesome experience! Excellent service. The staff has incredible attention to details. Friendly, open communication helped us feel comfortable and safe. The captains were knowledgeable, personable, and professional. Highly recommend, especially as it departs from Hanalei allowing more time to see and less time traveling. read more

I highly recommend Na Pali Catamaran for their cruise & snorkel expedition out of Hanalei Bay. We had Capt Nick Oliver and Clay on our boat. They were both great. We loved their stories about the Na Pali, their humor, their care for the history of the land and water. We really enjoyed ourselves with them as our guides. Our cruise was the 1pm departure. The catamaran was well equipped, restroom, snacks, comfortable seats, whether they were covered or exposed to the sun. There were also seats at the bow of the boat. We sat towards the stern without shade as I wanted to get photos and video of the majestic Na Pali. We sat on the left side of the catamaran and this proved to be the move because as you make your way down the coast, your view is amazing. On the way back up, you are travelling at a higher speed as you are going against the current. This was early August so skies were clear thankfully but it did get a little cloudy as we approached the end of the Na Pali. It had been a dream of mine to see the Na Pali coast, the cathedral and enter the sea caves. This cruise checked all those boxes and then some. It was amazing. It's not cheap but it was worth it and my lady & I will never forget the experience. The only thing missing was we couldnt go inside the one cave that had the exposed rock reef in it and has an open ceiling. There was a boat inside at the time we passed by and the ocean conditions prevented us from entering it. But we got to see so many other things. It was unreal... We reversed into a sea cave... into total darkness. We cruised my many waterfalls that fell into the ocean. We saw so many sheer cliffs including the highest ledge that sat over the ocean. We also saw a still functioning native Hawaiian fishing village.... And the cathedral. Seeing it was amazing. I had dreamed of that view since we first went to Kauai in 2019 and now, on our 6th trip to the island since then, we got to see it in all its glory. Unforgettable. On the way back to Hanalei Bay, you stop at the outside reef at Tunnels. for a snorkel. That was awesome. They provide the fins, snorkel mask and noodles. It was great to see all the fish swimming around the reef. Others saw turtles as well... After snorkeling is when your sandwich lunch is given out and you have time to eat. I forgot to mention that we saw Hawaiian spinner dolphins on our ride up the coast. Capt Nick even circled back so we could get a closer look at the pod. You meet & check-in at the Na Pali Catamaran office which is located at the edge of the Ching Young Village shopping center in Hanalei town. Dedicated parking for catamaran customers are out back. PLEASE do NOT park in the reserved spaces for the shuttle vans. Someone did that when we were there and it complicated things.... After checking in, you will receive a dry bag to take along with you and 2 Sprinter vans will depart from this parking lot that will take your group to Black Pot beach (Hanalei Pier) and you will wade into water to get on the catamaran. Hence the dry bag and need to be in your water gear beforehand. Mahalos to the Na Pali Catamaran staff for all the aloha, knowledge and care. It was unforgettable. I would do the tour again. Maybe even do the morning cruise... Mahalos Captain Nick and Klay. Hope our tips led to more green bottles. A hui hou Na Pali... read more

Wonderful! Capt Lance and Paul were amazing guides on this tour. The boat was perfect for cutting through the waves. The views were stunning and we enjoyed several sea caves. Added bonuses of spinner dolphins and sea turtle sightings. Morning tour was perfect for us! Thanks for a great day! read more

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Amazing tour! The front office staff was so friendly and so were the bus drivers and our tour captains! I think we had Clay and Miguel as captains on the boat, they told great stories about the island and made sure we got tons of great photos. Snorkeling we saw turtles and tons of fish. On the boat they had drinks, water juice soda etc and the sandwiches were great too! We had previously booked another tour with a different company that cancelled the day before we were supposed to go and we panic found this one. Blessing in disguise. This was the highlight of our trip and I can't thank their team enough for it. 10/10 recommend. read more

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Awesome trip! Awesome captains! Definitely recommend and would want to do this again! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Great view - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Our day with Na Pali Catamaran was AWESOME! Our daughter's family and us enjoyed the scenery and snorkeling. The snacks, drinks and food was great! read more

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I was terrified because all my past boat tour experiences were disastrous. I made sure to take the proper precautions before (prescription patch, sea bands, ginger chews). This your was vastly different. Brett and Miguel were so amazing at handling the boat. They were also hilarious and hosted a wonderful and super informative tour. They took such great care of us all! Also a special shout out to the shuttle drivers - the nicest people ever! read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Cave - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

The best part of our trip. Highly recommended. Yes, I liked your dumb jokes too. Thank you Clay and Miguel.

I really can't begin to narrow down why this is such a wonderful tour. From booking to end of trip, my husband and I were extremely pleased with the entire experience. Check-in was a breeze and all passengers were given a large dry bag to use on the trip. A small air-conditioned bus took us all to and from the bay where we would get onto the tour boat. Captain Sean and Miguel were entertaining and informative. There were plenty of opportunities to move around the boat to capture the beautiful scenery of the coast, and we even came across a pod of dolphin. I loved that the guys were attentive at every "stop" along the way to make sure everyone had time to take photos and get questions answered. Passenger comfort was important to them, as well as making sure we were all enjoying the trip. Water, soda and snacks were available as well as sandwiches for lunch. If you forgot sunscreen, they had plenty available to use. We were given ample time to snorkel off the coast near Tunnels Beach. Gear was provided if needed. The water was beautiful and there were plenty of fish and sea turtles! Did I mention we even saw dolphins?! I would highly recommend Na Pali Catamaran to anyone. If ever we make it back to the island during their operating months, I'll be booking another trip with them. I 100% would recommend this charter to anyone. read more

Amazing trip! These boats leave out of Hanalei Bay. Very knowledgeable staff and guides. We saw rainbows, turtles, monk seals, dolphins and giant frigate birds. It was a fairly calm day and we got to go into some of the caves and snorkeling at Tunnels beach. Highly recommend! read more

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I would give this ten stars if I could! Nick and Nick were an amazing crew and the views are breathtaking! We took a sunset tour out of the West side our last trip here and although it was great it was nothing like this one! Because most of the ride is "getting" to NaPali. Leaving from Hanalei / Princeville the WHOLE TRIP is stunning NaPali coastline! And caves! read more

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Incredible tour! We had done some hiking a few days before on the Na Pali Coast and knew we had to do a boat tour to see it from a different angle. Well, this tour did not disappoint! Absolutely stunning views with constant commentary and facts from captains Nick and Nick. Boats were big with plenty of room to move around, even with 25 or so people on board. The captains were always making sure everyone got the views and pics they wanted. To top it all off, the snorkel and lunch (delicious sandwiches) were a great way to wrap up the day. While obviously not guaranteed on every tour, we ended up seeing a pod of dolphins, a mama and baby whale, and a sea turtle while snorkeling. Just an incredible day and cannot recommend this company enough! Also - we did see some other tour boats out while on our tour and it was clear that the Na Pali Catamarans were the most comfortable and stable. My wife has bad sea sickness and while her stomach got a little upset, it is clear the other boats would have been way worse. read more

First things first: You want to take a cat, not an inflatable, along the coast unless you are a thrill seeker. Even in the calm season the surf cam be choppy, especially in the afternoon. Second, the driver was great and able to get us inside the caves, in some places that were pretty tight fits. Got some great photos and memories from this trip. Crew was nice and willing to be chatty if you want that (our crew were all locals). Did snorkeling off Tunnels, where we saw a couple of turtles. Provided sandwiches were pretty good, and included a gluten free option that was also good if you need that. If someone wanted a suggestion for a NaPali coast tour I'd recommend. If you're coming while the convoy is still running on the highway, expect to spend some time in town after the trip while you wait for things to open. Grab a drink somewhere or shop around. read more

Na Pali Catamaran - Typical morning - Boat Charters Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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Amazing & skilled staff- they were knowledgeable & certainly knew how to maneuver the boat.