Niihau And Na Pali Full Day

Kauai: Niihau and Na Pali Coast Full-Day Boat Tour runs through Holo Holo Charters. Rated 4.7 across 160 reviews. Runs 7 hours. From $338.72.

Overview

This Holo Holo Charters trip packs two of Kauai's biggest draws into one long day on the water: the sea cliffs and valleys of the Na Pali Coast, followed by a channel crossing to snorkel near Lehua Crater, off the Forbidden Isle of Niihau. The boat is a catamaran built on Kauai, and the whole outing runs about 7 hours from Port Allen. Continental breakfast is served while the boat heads northwest along the coast.

The first stretch of the day is sightseeing. The crew points out waterfalls, valleys, beaches and sea caves along Na Pali, and shares the history of the area. Dolphins, turtles, monk seals and, in season, humpback whales are all possible sightings, and reviewers regularly report coming across them. After the coast run, the captain takes the boat across the channel to Niihau and picks the best snorkel spot near Lehua Crater based on conditions that day. Gear, instruction and reef-safe sunscreen are all provided.

Once everyone is back on board, a deli-style buffet lunch is laid out, with soft drinks available all day and beer and wine poured after the snorkel. On the sail home the crew talks about Niihau's history and culture. This tour suits travellers who want a full-day adventure rather than a short coast cruise. It is not permitted for expectant mothers or children under 5, and anyone prone to motion sickness should think hard before booking, since the channel crossing can be rough and the route depends on ocean conditions.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Port AllenArrive at the local partner's office in the Port Allen Marina Center, 4353 Waialo Road, Suite 5A, Eleele. Park in the designated gravel lot on the right side of the road after the marina center.
2. Board the catamaranClimb aboard a custom-built Kauai catamaran and set off with a continental breakfast served as the boat heads northwest.
3. Cruise the Na Pali CoastTravel past waterfalls, lush valleys, hidden beaches and sea caves while the crew explains the history of the coastline. Keep an eye out for dolphins, turtles, seals and seasonal humpback whales.
4. Cross the channel to NiihauHead across open water to the Forbidden Isle of Niihau and its Lehua Crater. The captain chooses the best snorkel spot based on the day's conditions.
5. Snorkel at Lehua CraterReceive snorkeling instruction, gear up with provided equipment, and swim over underwater formations carved by currents, watching for reef fish and other wildlife.
6. Lunch and return sailEnjoy a deli-style buffet lunch with soft drinks, plus beer and wine after snorkeling, while the crew shares stories about Niihau and Kauai culture on the way back to the marina.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the day go more smoothly, from what to wear to how the ocean might behave.

• What to bring. Pack a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel and a jacket. IDs are required for age verification, so keep them accessible at check-in. Reef-safe sunscreen is provided on board.
• Ocean conditions. Several reviewers described rough seas, and the listing warns that conditions around Kauai change quickly. The captain may wait until check-in to decide the day's route, and the Niihau crossing can be cancelled if the channel is bad. Travellers prone to motion sickness should plan ahead, since no refunds are given for seasickness.
• Food and drink. Breakfast is continental and lunch is a deli-style buffet with fresh bread, meats, cheeses, veggie toppings and pasta salad. Soft drinks flow all day, and beer and wine are served once snorkeling is done. Multiple reviewers praised the food as fresh and plentiful.
• Fitness and pace. The day is long, with an extended ride on open ocean to reach the snorkel site and return. One reviewer noted the crossing takes considerable time, so travellers should be comfortable being on a boat for hours. Snorkeling instruction is given, and traditional two-piece masks and snorkels are required, as full-face masks are prohibited.
• Wildlife watching. Sightings depend on the day and the season. Several travellers described the encounters as a high point of the trip.
• Crew and group feel. Many reviewers singled out the crew as friendly, attentive and safety-focused, with clear briefings and regular check-ins. Alcohol is only served after snorkeling.

Common issues. The honest downside is the weather dependence: two separate reviewers reported the Niihau portion being cancelled, one on the morning of the trip, though one of them received a refund. The channel crossing makes for a long day on open water, and one reviewer noted that people who get seasick easily had problems on this tour. No refunds are given for seasickness, and the tour is not recommended for people with back problems, recent injuries or surgeries, or severe motion sickness. Mobility aids such as canes, walkers and wheelchairs cannot be brought on board, and hotel pickup and gratuities are not included.

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