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Na Pali Catamaran

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Na Pali Catamaran - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Na Pali Catamaran

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NA PALI CATAMARAN (Hanalei) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Fabulous Na Pali boat trip - highly... - Na Pali Catamaran

• United States    
• Hawaii (HI)    
• Kauai    
• Hanalei    
• Hanalei - Things to Do    
• Na Pali Catamaran

Because the captain is prudent, these trips go out only if the seas permit. The captain and... read more

Beautiful views, clean boat and great staff. Snorkeling was wonderful, we got to see such a variety... read more

Fabulous Na Pali boat trip - highly recommend

Highly recommend this trip. The views were spectacular, exactly as expected. The whole booking process was very simple and efficient. The staff and crew were all excellent - friendly, humorous and professional. All in all, we were very happy with everything and would recommend to anyone. Tips - the port (left) side of the boat gives the best views heading out which is when most of the best opportunities for photos are. Coming back is much faster. You can stay as dry or get as wet as you want based on where you sit. The snorkeling was fun and completely optional. Some people chose not to and just enjoyed time on the boat. They provide pool noodles if you are not that great of a swimmer and you can stay near the boat.

Aloha! Thank you so much for your high rating and for sharing some helpful tips. We are so glad to read that you appreciated our excellent staff and crew. We do try so hard to make your whole Na Pali Catamaran experience as positive and enjoyable as we can. Thank you for joining us and for your high recommendation. We hope that you can join us aboard our vessel on your next trip to Kauai. Mahalo Nui Loa - NPC Office Staff

This was our first trip to Kauai and Nāpali Catamaran came highly recommended. They did not disappoint! Clay and Paul were our crew and they made our morning snorkel trip so much fun! They were helpful and informative on safety, as well talking about Kauai, the Napali Coast and the ocean. They even told us about seeing marine life along the tour and, when our group start seeing fins in the distance, they turned toward those areas. We saw pods of Spinner dolphins which then started following along the boat! Going in and out of the caves really cool too! Our trip was in the morning…traffic was lighter driving in from Kapaa, which made checking in at Napali Catamaran less hectic. It was much busier as we were leaving and other businesses were open. I also found a little place next door that had wonderful Dole whip in a cone! We loved our morning trip with Napali Catamaran!!

Aloha Christine, Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed five-point review. We love that we were part of your first trip to Kauai and that we didn't let you down. Captain Clay and crewman Paul really are the best. We are happy to read that they provided you with a safe, entertaining, and educational tour. The fact that you saw so much wildlife and got to go into the caves makes for one amazing day on the Na Pali coastline. We also LOVE the Aloha Juice Bar located a few steps from our office. Thanks again for joining us. Mahalo Nui Loa - NPC Office Staff

The afternoon trip up the Na Pali Coast on Na Pali Catamaran was better than I ever dreamed it would be. The boat had places to shelter from the sun and plenty of seating for everyone. Almost immediately after we left Hanalei Bay we saw at least 100 spinner dolphins, some with little ones. The captain turned around so that we could experience them a second time. Then it was off to enter lots of sea caves which were amazing as was all the changing scenery. Just breathtaking. And along the way we were told many Hawaiian tales of the area. On our return we stopped at the outside reef by Tunnels Beach and snorkeled with lots of turtles and fish and observed many different types of coral. Lunch was served later in the afternoon, but a good idea to eat after we got out of the water. A totally awe inspiring experience with Mother Nature. The captain and crew were so professional - had to be good to get inside some of those caves!

Aloha, Thank you for your amazing 5-point review on our afternoon tour. We are glad that you enjoyed all the comforts of our vessel. You got so lucky getting to see the MEGA POD of Spinner dolphins. I have only heard of them appearing all together one other time this summer. Sounds like our Captain and crew gave your tour the most amazing day out on the coastline. The caves and sandwiches were definitely my favorite part of the day when I got to go on our tour. We love that you had an awe-inspiring experience with Mother Nature. What an amazing report! Thanks again for joining us. Mahalo Nui Loa - NPC Office Staff

Executive summary: WOW! If you do nothing else while on Kauai, take the Na Pali Coast tour with Na Pali Catamaran. Everything went great, and co-captains Nick and Nick we friendly, knowledgeable and funny. The view of the coast from the water is indescribably beautiful. Snorkeling at Tunnels capped off the day, lots of fish and a sea turtle on our day, and finally lunch was excellent with large Boars Head deli sandwiches.

Aloha, We are stoked you had such a beautiful adventure on board with us - thank you for your awesome review and kind feedback! Our captains love to offer some valuable insights and a few laughs too! Snorkeling at tunnels really is an incredible experience so we're glad you enjoyed it. We would be honored for you to join us on tour again soon and hope you have a wonderful rest of your trip. Mahalo, NPC Office Staff

Honestly, such an amazing trip! Within 5 minutes of getting on the boat, we were welcomed by a school of dolphins. We saw turtles during the boat ride and the snorkeling part. Shawn and Casey were very Informative and very friendly (jokes totally on point). Would 100% recommend doing it in the morning. Will definitely be back!

Aloha, Thank you so much for sharing your amazing experience with us! We couldn't be happier to hear that your trip with Na Pali Catamaran was such a fantastic one. It sounds like you had some incredible wildlife encounters, from the welcoming school of dolphins to the sight of turtles both during the boat ride and while snorkeling. Shawn and Casey are truly experts at what they do, and we're glad they added to your enjoyment with their informative and friendly nature, along with some great jokes. Starting your adventure in the morning certainly has its perks, and we appreciate your recommendation. We can't wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey along the Na Pali coast. Mahalo Nui Loa - Makoa

Such a friendly crew of people. They make you feel special even though they have done this excursion so many times. The boat was comfortable even in rougher waters and I always felt safe. I travel alone but love to snorkel so this provided me the supervised opportunity plus surrounded by such beauty. I appreciate you all and thank you for a special day!

Aloha, We are truly touched by your kind words! Our crew is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for each guest, and we're delighted to hear that their warmth and friendliness made you feel special, despite their many excursions. Safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we're pleased to know that you always felt secure, even in rougher waters. We're also thrilled that you could enjoy the stunning beauty of the Na Pali coast while snorkeling under our expert supervision. It was our pleasure to have you on board, and we appreciate your trust in us to provide you with a special day. Thank you for choosing Na Pali Catamaran for your solo adventure, and we hope to welcome you back to experience more of Kauai's beauty in the future. Mahalo Nui Loa - Makoa

Na Pali Catamaran

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Na Pali Catamaran - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Na Pali Catamaran

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

NA PALI CATAMARAN (Hanalei) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Na Pali Catamaran

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Na Pali Catamaran - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: We call it an adventure for a reason – our tour may not be suitable for individuals who are physically challenged. Those that suffer from motion sickness should take precautions. Safety is our top priority. Ocean conditions can sometimes take a turn and become rough, for that reason tour routes and schedules are subject to change. Snorkeling and visiting the sea caves depend on ocean conditions. Guests must be prepared to wade into ankle to waist-deep water and occasionally in small surf. We do not guarantee snorkeling or entry into sea caves – that is always the goal but the captain will make that determination on the day of your tour if it is safe to do so. Rain is seldom a cause for us to cancel a tour. Please keep all factors in mind when considering if our tour is right for you. Mahalo.

Tours & Availability | Cancellations & Weather | Driving & Parking | Snorkeling | What to Bring/What’s Provided | Other

Tours & Availability

• Chevron down Do you offer tours in the winter months?

We do not currently offer tours during the winter months. We operate our tours out of Hanalei during the months of March-October depending on the ocean conditions.

• Chevron down Do you offer sunset tours?

Our latest tour is the Na Pali Afternoon option which ends at 5.15pm.

• Chevron down Do you have availability besides what is shown on the website?

Our availability calendar is the same in our office and online.

• Chevron down I see that you have one seat left. Is there any way you could let two of us on?

Although we would like to accommodate you, adding just one more passenger would be in violation of the US Coast Guard’s regulations for our vessel.

• Chevron down What is a catamaran?

A catamaran (informally, a “cat”) is a double-hulled water craft featuring two parallel hulls of equal size – this design has been utilized by the indigenous peoples of Oceania for thousands of years, combining unmatched stability with shallow draft (depth). Since WWII, the catamaran design has been modernized and refined to function across a variety of sailing/power-boat applications. Our power-driven catamaran is ideal for entering sea caves, which is impossible on any of the sailing catamarans that tour the Na Pali Coast.

• Chevron down Can we book a private tour?

Yes! Call us to make arrangements – 808-826-6853.

• Chevron down Which tour is better? Morning or afternoon?

Each tour has different advantages – the Na Pali morning tour tends to be a little cooler and calmer on the ride back to Hanalei. The afternoon tour tends to be a little warmer and bumpier on the ride back but lighting conditions typically offer greater photo opportunities. We recommend searching “morning” or “afternoon” at our page on Tripadvisor or Google and other online review sites to see what people experience on each tour.

• Chevron down Do all tours include entry into the sea caves?

The Na Pali Coast features some incredible sea caves. When ocean conditions are calm enough (which is most of the time) we enter them. This includes our morning and afternoon tours. Please keep in mind that every day is different. Passenger safety comes first.

• Chevron down Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, we have a restroom aboard both of our vessels. Our restrooms are spacious, private and clean. While not all Na Pali tours offer a restroom, your comfort and privacy are important to us.

• Chevron down If I’m pregnant, can I take the tour?

We are very sorry, but we cannot accept pregnant women on the boat. Our Hawaiian waters at times can be unpredictable, and an otherwise smooth, pleasant ride can quickly become bumpy. We value the safety of our passengers above all else.

• Chevron down I have physical limitations and/or I’ve recently had major surgery, can I join the tour?

Due to the ever-changing conditions of the rivermouth that we operate out of, our loading process is sometimes challenging. All passengers must be able and prepared to wade into waist-deep water and climb a 4-step ladder in order to board/disembark the vessel. Sorry, but there is no way around this. All passengers must be physically able to do so, we do not issue refunds if you are not physically able to load the vessel as a result of physical limitations. Any passenger who has recently undergone a major surgery for areas including(but not limited to) neck, back, hips or knees is not permitted aboard. The Na Pali Coast is an exposed coast line, with conditions that often change quickly. We are very sorry, but for these reasons, we do not permit passengers with certain known medical limitations aboard our vessel. Safety is always our number one priority.

• Chevron down Do you take children on your tour? Do you have a child rate?

Yes, children 5 years and older are welcome! They will have a blast! We do not have separate adult or child rates. Pricing is per passenger. We do not allow children under the age of five.

• Chevron down Should I be concerned about seasickness?

Yes! Even on the nicest days, people sometimes get sick. It is up to you to take appropriate preventative measures. Do not assume you will not get sick. Ginger products and acupressure wrist bands are believed to be helpful. We recommend all passengers taking seasickness medicine before you sleep and again the day of your tour. Although we don’t provide medications at our check-in desk, many guests have had success with Bonine and Dramamine. There are also behind-the-ear adhesive patches which seem to work really well.

Cancellations & Weather

• Chevron down What if it’s raining?

There is about a one hundred inches-per-year difference in rainfall between point A and Point B on our tour. On Kauai, rain comes and goes frequently, so it is extremely rare that our tours have rain for the whole duration. Rain also brings beautiful waterfalls and rainbows. If it’s safe, your tour is still on! You may want to bring a light jacket.

• Chevron down What is your cancellation policy?

If we have to cancel your tour due to poor ocean conditions, we will try our very best to help you reschedule your tour. If this is not possible, we will issue you a full refund. If you need to cancel or reschedule your tour, we will give you a full refund, but we do require 48 hours notice in advance from your check-in time for 1-4 people, 72 hours for 5-7 people, and 96 hours for 8-10 people. For a party of 11+, we require one week’s notice. This policy includes emergencies and is not flexible – we are unable to issue refunds to late cancellations whether we fill the vacated seats or not. We recommend you to have good travel insurance to cover your losses and expenses in the event of an emergency.

Driving & Parking

• Chevron down Where do we check in?

For Na Pali, our check-in location is at our office in Hanalei at the Ching Young Village Shopping Center. We require all of our passengers to check in at our office to sign the waiver and shuttle together down to Hanalei Bay.

• Chevron down Can we drive our own car to the boat?

We prefer that you don’t. Parking is always an issue at our beach parks. We do provide a free shuttle service to those who do not wish to walk from or to our office.

• Chevron down If we are running late, will you hold the boat for us?

Please be on time. Do not underestimate potential traffic delays on Kauai. Unfortunately, we are not able to hold the boat and we cannot issue refunds for late passengers.

• Chevron down Do you provide snorkel gear?

Yes, we provide fins, flotation devices and high-quality non-prescription masks. We do allow guests to bring their own gear if doing so increases comfort or provides a better experience.

• Chevron down What does the ladder look like and how far will I need to wade into the water?

Our ladder has 4 steps with handlebars on each side. Depending on the tide, we will either load from the beach (as seen in the photo above) or the river. Typically it’s ankle to knee deep – sometimes waist deep.

• Chevron down Can I use my full-face snorkel mask?

No, we do not allow our passengers to enter the water with full-face snorkel masks on. Click HERE to learn why.

What to Bring/What's Provided

• Chevron down What do you provide, besides the tour itself?

For our passengers, we provide a 30 liter dry bag for their belongings while on board. Mask, snorkel, and fins are provided for snorkeling, but bringing your own gear is also welcome. Bottled water, Juice, soda, chips/snacks are included as well as a deli-style sandwich for lunch. Towels are NOT included.

• Chevron down What do we bring?

We recommend you please bring…

• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Beach attire (please change into a swimsuit prior to boarding)
• Light cover-up jacket
• Prescription Snorkel Mask(if needed)

We will supply you with a dry bag for your trip if needed to contain your items

• Chevron down May we bring alcohol?

We are very sorry, but we prohibit the consumption of alcohol during our tours and if you show up for your tour in an overly inebriated state, you will not be allowed to board the vessel. On a four-hour tour with other passengers, none of those people can just walk away from an uncomfortable situation when at sea. We feel this policy better ensures the comfort and safety of both passengers and crew.

• Chevron down Do I need to bring my wallet?

If you have paid in full, you will not need your wallet. However, if you wish to show your appreciation to your captain and crew, they will gladly accept cash gratuities!

• Chevron down Will you discount my trip if I write a five-star review for your company?

We are asked that question frequently; however, we do not engage in such activity. We believe that we offer an excellent tour at a very fair price. If you agree, you’ll hopefully write for us a favorable review. If you disagree, you’ll likely write a lesser review. Either will make us better as a company. Bribery, on the other hand, will not.

• Chevron down I’ve been described as rude, crude, vulgar and obnoxious. Do you have an issue with me being on your tour?

Great question, easy answer: We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Should you show such traits before boarding our vessel, we will disallow you from doing so. Should you decide to act up, or out, when aboard, we will send a second vessel to remove you from the tour (and your money will not be refunded). There is nothing more important to us than the comfort and well being of our guests and employees. Most describe our tour as “the experience of a lifetime.” We ask that you not compromise that experience.

Na Pali Catamaran