Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, slightly. Think of it like this. Na Pali Coast itself is the main course and the main course is served year round. In the summer, the side dish is snorkeling and in the winter, the side dish is whale watching. So, Na Pali Coast is there for year round viewing, and the included side dishes change with the seasons.

All of our boats do the exact same Na Pali tours with varying levels of comfort and adventure. They all see them same sites, have the same narrations, and serve the same snacks/beverages.

Our 14 passenger 27′ Raft is typically for the young, daring, and fun. Our raft is priced competitively and is arguably the funnest craft on the water. Those who are fit and in above average physical condition would most likely prefer this experience over all other vessels. The ideal age range would be between 8-45, though we’ve had much older fit and adventurous guests at times.

Our 6-Person Power Catamaran offers the same tour as the raft, on a boat that is a lot more comfortable, and all to yourself. Private tours only.

Our 18 passenger Deluxe Power Catamaran provides the smoothest possible ride on a vessel that is still fully capable of entering any sea cave on Na Pali, should conditions allow (same principle applied to any cave vessel). Our Deluxe Power Catamaran offers an amazing fusion of comfort and adventure.

Our 18 passenger Deluxe Power Catamaran has a “marine head” for emergency use (a tiny room with a porta-potty). This is our only boat of our 3 options that has a marine head. Full Disclosure: Access into this room is not convenient or practical. As mentioned, this should be for an emergency situation only. We use this marine head about 3 times a year to give you an idea of its rarity.

Note: If someone has a medical condition that causes bathroom related issues, unfortunately none of our boats would be a practical option. Feel free to call us at 808 635 1131 for a large boat recommendation.

Mahalo for understanding.

Our 6 Person Catamarans and Rafting Adventures are approximately 4.5 hours long. Our Morning Tours depart at 8 a.m (check-in at 7:30 am) and our Afternoon Tours depart at 1 p.m. (check-in at 12:30 pm).

Our 18-Person Deluxe Catamaran tours are 4.5 hours long. Morning departures are at 7:00 AM (check-in 6:30 AM) and 8:00 AM (check-in 7:30 AM). Afternoon departures are at 12:00 PM (check-in 11:30 AM) and 1:00pm (check-in 12:30pm).

Our Private Whale Watch charters run seasonally during the period of Dec 16th – March 31st and are 2.5-3 hours in duration.  Our Whale Watch tours depart at 1pm (check-in at 12:30 p.m.).

Yes, and we like you! From ship to boat, you’re our kind of people!

Different ships arrive at different times so it will be up to you to choose one of our tours that fit into your ship’s schedule. Usually, the ships are only on Kaua’i for a day or two. With such a narrow window, we highly recommend reserving your tour far in advance.

Note: The small harbor that we use (Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor) is about an hour drive away from the large harbor (Nawiliwili) used for the cruise ships. Taxies are usually readily available but we recommend prearranging your ride before your arrival to Kaua’i. Renting your own car is also an option which might be cheaper and more practical.

Sorry, we do not offer transportation services.

Our 14 Passenger Rafting Adventure is $199 per person + tax. Private Rafting Adventures are $2,500 + tax (14 passenger limit).

Our 18 Passenger Deluxe Power Catamaran is $219 per person + tax. Private Deluxe Power Catamarans are $3,500 + tax (18 passenger limit).

Our 6-Person Power Catamaran Private Charter is $1,899 + tax.

Our Private Whale Watch Excursions are $999 for our 6-Pack Power Catamaran, $1,499 for our Raft, and $1,999 for our Deluxe Power Catamaran.

Our 14 passenger Rafting Adventure has a discounted price for those 12 and under. The price for a child 12 and under on our Rafting Adventure is $179.

Our 18 passenger Deluxe Power Catamaran also discounts for children 12 and under. The price for a child 12 and under on our Deluxe Power Catamaran is $199.

Our 6-Person Power Catamaran only has one price of $1,899 for the entire boat, regardless of passenger ages.

The age limitations vary depending on the vessel.

For our 14 passenger Rafting Adventure, 6 years old is the lowest allowable age, regardless of whether the tour is private or not.

For our 18 passenger Deluxe Power Catamaran, we accept children as young as 4, even if the tour is not private. Please do us a favor and make sure your child is up for a wet, fast, splashy adventure! If not, one of the large sailing catamarans might be a better option.

For our 6-Person Power Catamaran, children must be 4 years old or older.

It is highly recommended that parties with young children opt for morning tours which generally feature calmer water and a higher likelihood of seeing dolphins.

You can read about the formation of the sea caves in our Na Pali Coast section. Many regard the sea caves as the highlight of their tour. The size of our boats allow us to navigate into each of the sea caves along Na Pali Coast (conditions permitting). Quite a few companies will often “claim” that they also explore the sea caves. “Peeking” at the caves from a distance is not exploring them in our book. Beware of this faulty claim.

All of our Na Pali tours aim to snorkel (conditions permitting). Due to our smaller boats and vessel capacities, the state has allowed us to snorkel at Nualolo Kai. Nualolo Kai is by far the best snorkel spot on Na Pali Coast and is accessible by small boats only.

In the event that the conditions are not favorable for Nualolo Kai, our backup spots are both better than Makole, which is the only location on Na Pali that the large competitor boats are able to go.

In the winter months, we typically replace the snorkel portion of our tour with whale watching and a quick swim/picnic stop. Note: If snorkel conditions present themselves in the winter and the group shows interest, we are happy to take advantage of the somewhat unusual opportunity. All of our gear is always on-board and ready to use at all times.

Thank you so much for asking! Tips are never expected but always appreciated. If you’d like to leave something extra for your Captain and Crew, the industry standard is typically between 10%–20%. Whatever you choose, we truly appreciate your generosity and support; it means a lot to our team!

For safety reasons, we cannot accept passengers with neck or back issues, head injuries, recent surgeries, or anyone who is pregnant. Due to the remote location of our tours, we also cannot accommodate guests with a history of heart attacks or strokes. If you have any concerns or questions about your health and whether a tour is right for you, please don’t hesitate to call us at (808) 635-1131. We’re happy to help.

For safety reasons, we’re not able to accept pregnant passengers on any of our tours. The ocean conditions along the Na Pali Coast can be unpredictable and physically demanding. If you have any questions or need help finding a more suitable activity during your visit, feel free to call us at (808) 635-1131—we’d be happy to point you in the right direction.

Unfortunately, we can’t accept passengers who have recently undergone major surgery, as our tours can be physically demanding and take place in remote areas. That said, if you’re unsure whether your specific situation qualifies, please give us a call at (808) 635-1131. We’re happy to talk it through and help you decide if the tour is right for you.

All of our tours are barefoot only. Before boarding, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes and leave them at the dock. This helps keep the boat clean and safe for everyone onboard. If you have a medical condition that requires footwear, please call us ahead of time at (808) 635-1131 so we can make arrangements.

Our Na Pali Coast tours are primarily sight-seeing tours. We like to think of snorkeling as a possible bonus when conditions align and are favorable (more often than not). In the event that we are able to snorkel, all top of the line gear is on board at all times. In the event that we are unable to snorkel, we are usually pretty successful at finding a calm, clear water, sandy bottom area to swim and picnic at.

Yes! Everything is included and provided on board upon arrival at our snorkel spot for the day. We receive a lot of positive comments about our snorkel gear. You will be impressed with the quality and cleanliness of our equipment. Everything is on board at your disposal: Masks with comfort straps, defogger, fins, life-vests, and floaty noodles.

If you have your own personal snorkel gear, feel free to bring it along on your tour. Our boat has plenty of storage to safely stow your equipment.

However, full-face snorkel masks are not allowed onboard. These masks have been associated with safety concerns, including hypoxia caused by carbon dioxide buildup, leading to restrictions by most snorkel operators.

No, for safety reasons we do not allow full-face snorkel masks on our tours. These masks have been linked to carbon dioxide buildup and have unfortunately been associated with numerous drownings world-wide. We provide high-quality traditional snorkel gear onboard and prioritize your safety at all times.

Yes, we do! We have child-size masks, snorkels, and fins on board at all times.

We do have some prescription masks on board but it is hard to stock every corrective lens for every different face. Our advice is if you know you will be needing a special lens mask, go to a snorkel shop like Seasport Divers and try on a few different options until you find the perfect mask. Consider our onboard prescription masks as more of a backup.

Yes, we have life vests on board at all times for adults and children to wear. Only those that are 12 years old or younger need to wear a life vest, otherwise it is considered optional for teenagers and adults.

Before boarding our boat, each passenger will be given a dry bag for all of your electronics and towels. These bags are air and watertight as long as they are sealed properly. Your captain will make announcements throughout the tour when it is safe to remove your electronics from your bag. It is important to understand that whenever your camera is out of the bag it is at risk. Ideally, we recommend playing it safe and bringing a waterproof camera. A waterproof camera will also be beneficial for your snorkel experience.

Dry bag = A sealable bag that is completely waterproof submergible if closed and sealed properly. Each bag is large enough for a towel, camera, and other misc. smaller items (sunscreen, sunglasses, etc). 1 Dry bag per person.

Absolutely we do. Follow these simple steps to greatly reduce your odds of motion sickness. One of the most important tips is to get a good nightʻs sleep before your tour. Also, be careful of what you eat 24 hours before your tour.

Ideally, you want to be on a lighter stomach, eating only simple and bland foods. If you are known for having motion sickness issues, make sure you are on our morning tour and pick up a box of Bonine over the counter at any local grocery store. Be sure to take a Bonine pill the night before as well as the morning of your tour. This will ensure the medication is well activated within your system.

Some people also like to wear seasickness wristbands. Once onboard, we have a few more tips if needed, however, at that point, it’s best to not think about becoming seasick and just enjoy the ride.

Yes! Kaua‘i is one of the wettest places on Earth and it rains somewhere on the island almost every day, particularly on Na Pali Coast. This is a water-based activity, so getting wet is part of the adventure. Whether it’s from the rain, the splashing seas, or from hopping in the water to swim or snorkel, you should definitely plan on getting wet!

Kaua’i is naturally a windy place, with trade winds from the ENE blow nearly 95% of the time. Whether a tour runs depends on the strength, direction, and current sea state at the time, all of which we monitor very closely. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and safety (and fun) is always our top priority. If we feel conditions aren’t right, we’ll do our best to contact you in advance to reschedule.

Yes, more than likely, as large waves are a normal part of life on Kaua‘i. However, it depends on the size and direction of the swell, as well as the wind at the time. From October through April, Kaua‘i enters its wavy season, an exciting time to be on the water. These swells primarily impact areas close to shore, where the waves break as the water shallows. Just off the coast, conditions are often very manageable, especially when the wind cooperates.

We operate year-round and are very familiar with the seasonal patterns. In fact, this is one of our favorite times of year to run tours: the sea caves are spectacular and come alive with dramatic splashing, whales return to the coastline, and the waves themselves are a breathtaking sight to see.

While saving the best for last sounds like a great idea, we’re working with Mother Nature, so it’s smart to book early in your stay. That way, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll have more flexibility to reschedule during your trip.

We accept all major credit cards and gift certificates only.

Absolutely. If you’ve already booked, just give us a call at (808) 635-1131 and we can split the payment within your reservation. If you haven’t booked yet or if you’d like to add more guests to an existing tour, call us and we’ll take care of it. You can use a new credit card or the card on file for any additions.

Important: If you’re booking separately but want to be on the same boat, please call us to let us know. Otherwise, we won’t know the two groups are together, and you could be placed on different boats that depart at the same time. When possible, we recommend combining into one reservation to avoid any mix-ups.

The moment you reserve a tour with us, your card will be charged. Our cancellation policy is very lenient. Cancel anytime up to 48 hours of your tour departure and there is absolutely zero penalty. However, cancel within 48 hours of your tour departure for any reason and there is a 100% penalty charge including tax.

In other words, please don’t back out on us at the last minute. Travel insurance is highly recommended in case of the event of a last-minute cancellation. Travel insurance covers airfare as well as tours like ours. Mahalo!

Our customer cancellation policy is 48 hours. You may cancel your reservation with us anytime up to 48 hours from your scheduled tour departure time with ZERO penalty; once within 48 hours of your scheduled departure time, there is a 100% penalty charge including tax.

If you are the type to make last-minute cancellations or simply want to play it safe, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance so that you are covered regardless. Travel insurance covers airfare as well as tours like ours. Mahalo for understanding.

If we cancel for any reason, there is no charge to anyone. Full refunds are issued on the spot without the need to call us. Emails with all the refund details will be sent out for your records. As always, feel free to call us if you have any questions or concerns. 808-635-1131.

Gratuity is never expected but always appreciated. The industry average seems to be somewhere between 10% and 20% of your sales total, depending on the quality of service of your captain and crew. We do believe we have the best captains and crew on the island and we appreciate you wanting to appreciate them. They’re worth it, we promise!

Cash directly from you to them is the most meaningful and probably preference number 1 for most. For those without cash, most captains also have Venmo as an option. As a last resort, you can call the office and we can add the charge to your credit card on file. Mahalo!

Yes! Please call us at 808 635 1131 or Buy Gift Cards that can be used for both Na Pali Experience and Na Pali Pirates (our sister company that specializes in Rafting Adventures). Mahalo!