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Na Pali Riders

4.4 (328 reviews)
Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Boat charters

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Gorgeous up close view of the cathedrals
Gillian H.

Fabulous ride, great captain and guide. We sat in the middle towards the font and the view when whale watching was the only downside (looking through people) but the view of the coast and caves was great and the ride was smoother but still an adventure. I'd recommend this to any family with adventurous kids 12+ (might be long for the weenies or the very young) Love supporting our active/beteran Coasties! We got to see an impressive air display from some USAF planes firing flares and flying right over us in formation. So cool-free air show

Dolfriend
Tiffany A.

Truly, where do I begin?! I think my life just peaked on this boat ride. Payton and Captain Makayla (who became ohana by the end) made up our crew on a beautifully sunny Thursday morning. Payton went through the safety specs of the life vests and what to do in an emergency at the Na Pali Riders meeting spot. We all had to re-park our cars at the small boat harbor and pay $20 for parking. Once we got to "Sea Biscuit" (the raft), we took off our shoes and chose our seats! We opted for the most adventurous seats right in front and boy oh boy, we got some airtime. Prepare to flex your arm muscles and hang on! This boat flies FAST! I swear my body was pumping all the feel good hormones as the music was blasting, the sun was shining, and we were all flying on the water. High on life. We saw many dolphins scattered throughout the tour. The Na Pali cliffs never disappoint with their majestic beauty. Makayla and Payton had endless stories to share about their own experiences on island and the history of the locations we stopped to stare at, from beaches, to caves, to waterfalls. They were incredibly kind and genuine people that made us all feel comfortable. Our crew noticed the usual snorkel spot was murky and, therefore, unswimmable. They ushered us out a bit father from the coast to a more clear location and we had a little "pool party" instead where we jumped off the boat with some pool noodles, snorkels and music. After the swim, they provided some cold fruit, juices, water and chips. If you're on the fence at all about this tour, you need to book this experience. Choose Na Pali Riders as they are a small family-owned business. This raft ride truly is now a core life memory for me. They even provide you with a dry bag for all your belongings and snap photos of you throughout the tour. You have the option to review and purchase the phot package back at the meeting spot. Thank you Na Pali Riders, Payton and Makayla!! You provided magic during our trip to Kauai!! :)

Katelyn L.

Our trip with the Na Pali Riders may be one of my top life experiences. It's quite an adventure but the crew was so kind and knowledgeable. The adventures around the coast, and into caves is unforgettable and worth every second! Cannot recommend enough.

Michele F.

Our favorite day on the island was spent here. Beautiful waters, caves, waterfalls, and landscapes! Truly an amazing adventure, we highly recommend.

Sam B.

Fantastic experience. Mack and Cassie were the best crew ever - very knowledgeable and informative about the landscape and history, and Mack provided the appropriate soundtrack. This is a great, small family owned company run by former Coastguard members who put safety first.

This was truly one of the most EPIC experiences of our whole lives - some of the most gorgeous views in all of Creation! 1000% recommendations doing this tour with this tour company - they are the sweetest family and, as Coast Guard veterans, the captains are WAY overqualified to take you safely around the Napali Coast. You will not regret booking this one!

Alex V.

Had one of the best experiences on this tour. Super fun and exciting! CAPTIN Mikayla was awesome! Please support this local community and don't waist your time with the big company's that don't care!! You guys were awesome

Amazing experience with Captain Mack and Cassie! The boat trip was an epic adventure I would recommend to anyone visiting this area. We saw dolphins, caves, and had a fun pool party in the deep ocean water. Plus, we leaned a ton about the Na Pali coastline from our amazing captain and photographer. 10/10, highly recommend.

My 7 year daughter safely enjoys her trip

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2 months ago

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23 days ago

Experienced crew. Fun fun fun. very knowledgeable about coast, history and wildlife.Saw whales, turtles and dolphins!!

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2 months ago

Excellent trip with a fantastic crew! Highly recommended! Very knowledgeable as well as extremely friendly and helpful!

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9 months ago

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1 year ago

Personal. Interactive. Flexible. Educational. Fun! Great day on the water... Thank you!!!

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6 months ago

Captain Brandon and his crew did a great job of showing and exploring this beautiful part of Kauai. Highly recommend.

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Na Pali Riders Reviews in Other Languages

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Review Highlights - Na Pali Riders

Captain Chris would stop and point out different spots on the coast, highlighting the significance of the area.

Mentioned in 83 reviews

Read more highlights

Makana Charters and Tours - Both of our boats entering multiple sea caves

Makana Charters and Tours

(386 reviews)

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!

Blue Ocean Adventure Tours - Sunrise at 7:30 departure

Blue Ocean Adventure Tours

(678 reviews)

100/10 recommend…read more The Blue Ocean rafting tour along the Nā Pali Coast was honestly one of those core memory experiences for me and my man. Absolute adventure from start to finish. We saw whales, dolphins, insane coastline views, jumped off the raft, and rode waves in a way that had us screaming and laughing the whole time The captain (I'm SO mad I forgot his name... maybe Andy? ) handled that zodiac raft like a pro. Seriously unreal. And Steve was amazing too -- at one point he said he barely even needed to play music because we were all just vibing, talking, and having such a good time together. If you love adventure, adrenaline, ocean views, and experiences that feel unforgettable... this is IT. Loved loved loved every second

We went on the Na Pali Adventure tour, and the experience was just amazing from start to finish…read more The tour involved Zodiac rafts that moved at high speed across the ocean on the way to the Na Pali Coast. Our pilot Kelsey was super fun as a host, and performed many thrilling moves with the raft. He also put on lots of great music to make the ride even more fun. The tour gave us excellent views of the cliffs at Na Pali, as well as close ups of some of the sea caves. We also stopped for some snorkeling and snacks at one point. Another bonus was coming across many groups of dolphins during our ride, as well as several whales. All in all, I highly recommend Blue Ocean for a fun and thrilling Na Pali Coast tour.

Napali Navigators - Na Pali Coast!

Napali Navigators

(11 reviews)

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!

Kaulana Pali Kai - Captain Keith and First Mate Blaze

Kaulana Pali Kai

(14 reviews)

If you want a private boat experience that feels like heading out on the water with a good friend…read morewho has a REALLY nice boat (which also has a restroom!) this is the one. Captain Keith holds the #1 permit to operate tours of NaPali for 41 years. What makes this a standout operation is Keith's love for and knowledge of NaPali. He is essentially Mr. Millolii, taking it up on himself and his family to be stewards of the valley, camping there nearly every weekend while raising the family and taking charge to clean and maintain the area. He and his wife raised the next generation of Kauai natives to know, love and respect this land. He has ancestors who settled in both Kalalau and Milolii valleys who traded taro and fish to each other via rope ladder over the cliffs. He knows the history and keeps maps of where Kapuna are buried in the cliffs. He knows where to find the relics from the fishing villages. This is the guy you want to go with. Truly a 5 Star experience starting with communication at booking all the way through the experience. Captain Keith has a beautiful and comfortable boat to relax while viewing breathtaking NaPali. He is a master at navigating the caves and has seen every type of current and weather condition. Captain Keith stopped for every pod of dolphins we encountered and allowed us ample time to admire them playing beside the boat. And OH the treats and snacks. When it was time to snorkel, we enjoyed a large selection of ice cold drinks, local fruit (pineapple, mango, dragon fruit and cantaloupe) and treats baked by Mrs. Milolii - the best pumpkin rolls and mango bread you've ever tasted. And they packaged up what we didn't finish and sent it home with us to enjoy for the next couple of days. Having visited Kauai a dozen times and even having kayaked the coast a couple of times, spending the day with Captain Keith and his grandson Kai'Mana was truly a special treat and a major highlight of our trip. We will see them when we return next year.

This was an amazing experience! Keith and his grandson gave us a great tour, with seeing the…read moreinterior of the caves, group photos at the Na Pali Coast, dolphin watching, and snorkeling. They know everything about the area and gave us great suggestions for the rest of the trip also!! We highly recommend this duo for your trip!!

Na Pali Catamaran - Family photo on Catamaran !

Na Pali Catamaran

(239 reviews)

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

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

No Problem Charters

No Problem Charters

(7 reviews)

Yesterday we went on the most memorable deep sea fishing trip we could have ever hoped for. We are…read morein Kauai for our Anniversary/Babymoon and I'm very obviously 6 months pregnant. Jason was our captain and the three of us set out on a half day charter fishing trip on a day with 6ft swells. I was pleasantly surprised that he took my pregnancy in stride, checked on me throughout the trip to make sure I was okay, but never made me feel incapable. From the moment we stepped onto the boat, it felt like we were just hanging out with a friend. He showed us around the ocean, gave us some history of the island and taught me about the basics of deep sea fishing. I went on this fishing trip for my husband. I know nothing about boats or fishing terms but I felt totally comfortable. Jason was the most friendly, relaxed, down to earth, knowledgable, and passionate captain we could have ever hoped to take us on this trip. The moment the spools started spinning, we knew we had something huge on the line. Jason sprung to action, I took the wheel, and my husband took the reel, and Jason took the line. Jason was so coordinated in letting us both know what to do and when. It looked like a perfectly choreographed dance. His quick lesson on how to keep the line directly behind the boat made me feel confident when I took the wheel. After 22 minutes of a hard battle, the two of them reeled in approx 165 lb Yellowfin Tuna (we get the final weight today!). The entire time, Jason was leading us, but it felt like we were a team. From cruising around on the ocean, catching a tuna, to meeting his awesome Fiancé (owner of No Problem Charters)- the entire experience was something we will never forget. I can't imagine we would have come even close to this kind of experience on another charter. Lee is currently on maternity leave but you can see that her passion, knowledge, and personality are so similar to Jason and I have no doubt that when she gets back on the boat, she will give the same amazing experience as Jason. The two of them are an amazing team and I couldn't recommend them more. Don't look any further than No Problem Charters!

Lee and her team are great! I went fishing with her last summer and caught a 165lb tuna. She is…read moresuper knowledgable, helpful fun and accommodating. I was just back out on the island and went out with Preston and Jason who were showed us a great time even though we didn't catch anything nearly as big. This is a laid back environment perfect for a nice private charter for people with all different levels of fishing experience

Na Pali Riders - boating - Updated May 2026

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