Most-reviewed trip
Koloa Zipline
Koloa Zipline in Kauai runs through Koloa Zipline. Rated 5.0 across 7,558 reviews. Runs 3 hours (approx.). From $169.63.
Kauai Tours In Summer
Summer is the season the Na Pali Coast opens up. From roughly May through September the big north swells back off, and the Zodiac rafts that hug the cliffs can run sea cave runs that winter makes impossible. Port Allen on the south side stays the main departure hub, with Hanalei on the north shore running as a summer-only option. It is the best window of the year for small-boat exploring.
Kauai Tours Running In Summer
This page gathers the tours that shine in the summer months. Expect Zodiac snorkel expeditions from around $215, longer catamaran sails, and the Niihau and Na Pali full-day trips, such as the Holo Holo run at about 7 hours from $338.72. Beyond the water there are helicopter flights, Waimea Canyon tours, ziplines and luaus (see Driving Waimea Canyon). Every listing here is bookable with free cancellation.
Na Pali Coast Airplane Tour
1 hour 5 minutes (approx.) · Air Ventures Hawaii
from $159per personKauai Airplane Tour: Na Pali Coast, Waterfalls & Window Seats runs through Air Ventures Hawaii. Rated 4.8 across 2,105 reviews. Runs 1 hour 5 minutes (approx.). From $159.
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Eco Adventure Helicopter
50 minutes (approx.) · Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Kauai
from $489per personKauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour runs through Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Kauai. Rated 4.8 across 2,065 reviews. Runs 50 minutes (approx.). From $489.
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Amelia K Day Boat Tour
5 hours (approx.) · Makana Charters
from $227.13per personKauai: NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia K runs through Makana Charters. Rated 4.9 across 2,052 reviews. Runs 5 hours (approx.). From $227.13.
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Kalamaku Buffet Dinner Luau
4 to 6 hours (approx.) · Luau Kalamaku
from $186.52per personKauai: Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and Show runs through Luau Kalamaku. Rated 4.3 across 1,830 reviews. Runs 4 to 6 hours (approx.). From $186.52.
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Alii Kayaks Secret Falls
4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · Alii Kayaks, LLC
from $135per personKauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike runs through Alii Kayaks, LLC. Rated 4.8 across 1,660 reviews. Runs 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.). From $135.
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Chocolate Farm Tasting
3 hours (approx.) · Lydgate Farms Kauai Chocolate
from $145per personKauai Chocolate Farm Tasting Tour runs through Lydgate Farms Kauai Chocolate. Rated 4.9 across 1,107 reviews. Runs 3 hours (approx.). From $145.
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Guided Shore Snorkel, Poipu
2 hours (approx.) · Z Tourz
from $119.80per personKauai’s Ultimate Guided Shore Snorkel (NO BOAT) in South Poipu runs through Z Tourz. Rated 4.8 across 951 reviews. Runs 2 hours (approx.). From $119.8.
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Princeville Gardens, Chocolate Tasting
3 hours (approx.) · Princeville Botanical Gardens
from $126per personPrinceville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket runs through Princeville Botanical Gardens. Rated 4.8 across 884 reviews. Runs 3 hours (approx.). From $126.
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Canyon Downhill Bike Ride
4 hours (approx.) · Keko Adventure Tours
from $173.82per personWaimea Canyon Downhill Bike Ride runs through Keko Adventure Tours. Rated 4.9 across 705 reviews. Runs 4 hours (approx.). From $173.82.
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Kalapaki Kai Sunset Cruise
2 hours (approx.) · Kauai Beach Boys
from $114.14per personKalapaki Kai Sunset Catamaran Cruise runs through Kauai Beach Boys. Rated 4.9 across 486 reviews. Runs 2 hours (approx.). From $114.14.
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Poipu Beach Surf Lesson
1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · Hoku Water Sports
from $93.19per personPo'ipu Surf Lesson runs through Hoku Water Sports. Rated 4.9 across 414 reviews. Runs 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.). From $93.19.
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Highlights and Movie Sites
6 to 7 hours (approx.) · Polynesian Adventure Tours
from $208.90per personKauai Highlights & Movie Sites runs through Polynesian Adventure Tours. Rated 4.5 across 242 reviews. Runs 6 to 7 hours (approx.). From $208.9.
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Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
8 hours to 1 day (approx.) · GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide)
from $19.99per group (up to 8)Self-Guided Kauai Island Driving Audio Tour runs through GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide). Rated 4.7 across 241 reviews. Runs 8 hours to 1 day (approx.). From $19.99.
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Small-Group Waterfall Rappel
4 hours (approx.) · Da Life Outdoors
from $259per personSmall Group Waterfall Rappel in Lihue, Kauai runs through Da Life Outdoors. Rated 5.0 across 211 reviews. Runs 4 hours (approx.). From $259.
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Discover Scuba, 1 Tank
2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · Dive Kauai
from $186.13per personKauai's Ultimate Discover Scuba Dive - OCEAN EXPERIENCE (1 Tank Dive) runs through Dive Kauai. Rated 4.8 across 207 reviews. Runs 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.). From $186.13.
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Flying Dress Photoshoot
1 hour (approx.) · Adventure tours
from $300per personFlying Dress Photoshoot in Kauai runs through Adventure tours. Rated 4.8 across 147 reviews. Runs 1 hour (approx.). From $300.
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Private Jungle Waterfall Adventure
4 to 6 hours (approx.) · True Hawaiian
from $805per group (up to 4)Private Jungle Waterfall Adventure, Wit Da Native Hawaiian Dundee runs through True Hawaiian. Rated 5.0 across 143 reviews. Runs 4 to 6 hours (approx.). From $805.
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Beginner Spearfishing Lesson
3 hours (approx.) · Pomai Ka'i
from $135per personHawaiian Reef Spearfishing Lesson for Beginners on Kauai runs through Pomai Ka'i. Rated 4.9 across 94 reviews. Runs 3 hours (approx.). From $135.
Check availability →What Summer Changes On Kauai
What does summer actually change? Calmer water, for one, which suits the rafts and their cave entries, and it extends to the snorkeling: reef fish and turtles are active all year, but surface conditions are friendlier now. The trade-off is crowds. Na Pali boat seats fill far faster in July than in November, and the most popular operators, like the Amelia K run by Makana Charters with a 4.9 rating across 2,052 reviews, sell out weeks ahead.
Dolphins and sea turtles appear on summer trips, but humpback whales do not. The whales arrive later in the year, so if a whale watch is the goal, save it for a winter visit and spend your summer days on snorkeling, kayaking the Wailua River, or hiking to waterfalls. One more note: west side departures from Port Allen run more reliably than north shore options even in calm months, so check where each tour leaves from before you book.
Booking Tips For A Summer Trip
Book early, especially for July and August. Na Pali raft and catamaran trips carry small passenger counts by design, and summer is peak season, so locking in a date four to six weeks out is wise. Morning departures tend to have the smoothest conditions. Every tour on this page offers free cancellation, so reserving ahead costs you nothing if plans shift, and you can always check the live booking page for current availability.