Guide to Ocean Tours on Kauai

The Na Pali Coast on the west side of Kauai is the fifteen miles of rugged coastline that makes this island famous. A visit to Kauai would not be complete without a visit to the Na Pali Coast. Due to its sheer cliffs, the Na Pali is very difficult to get to. One of the best ways to see the majestic Na Pali coastline is on an ocean tour. This is a guide to the best ocean tours on Kauai.

The north shore of Kauai has some of the roughest seas on the island. These rough waters have made it difficult for boats to leave north shore docks, so many of the ocean tours to the Na Pali coast leave from the south shore, tacking a twenty-three mile trek to your trip. There are, however, a few ocean tours that leave from the north shore, but these tours are seasonal and usually only run consistently from May till September.

One of the best ocean tour outfits on Kauai just so happens to leave out of Hanalei Bay on the north shore. Na Pali Catamaran (866-255-6853) has been touring guests to the Na Pali coast for thirty years. They take about fifteen people out on their 34 foot catamaran, cruise the coast, explore sea caves and do a little snorkeling. Because they have such limited seating it is best to call in advance to make reservations. Morning tours tend to be better than afternoon tours. If you get a chance to take this tour, you will know why they are the best.

If you cannot get on the Na Pali Catamaran, try Captain Sundown (808-826-5585). Captain Sundown also leaves out of Hanalei Bay on their forty foot sailing catamaran. They like to limit their guests to fifteen people to enhance the intimacy of the tour. They feature a six hour sailing tour with fishing and snorkeling along the Na Pali coast for about $175, and a three hour sunset tour down the Na Pali coast for about $145. This is a really nice Kauai ocean tour and a great alternative to the Na Pali Catamaran.

If you just happen to be visiting the beautiful island of Kauai in the winter, you will have to take one of the south shore ocean tours. The south shore tours are great, you will just be spending a little more time getting to the rugged coastline. One of the best south shore tours is Liko Kauai Cruises (808-338-0333). This tour outfit is run by a local Hawaiian and leaves out of Kikiaolo Small Boat Harbor near Kekeha. They use a forty-nine foot powered catamaran to take about thirty folks to the Na Pali Coast. Liko Kauai Cruises features a five hour tour that includes coastline views and snorkeling for about $140.

If you have been interested in seeing the private island of Niihau, check out HoloHolo Charters (808-335-0815). On their seven hour tour they take you snorkeling off the shores of Niihau and cruising along the Na Pali coast. This tour costs about $179. HoloHolo Charters leaves out of Port Allen on the south shore of Kauai.

Ocean tours are a safe, fun way to see the Na Pali coast of Kauai and will form lifetime memories. This guide to ocean tours on Kauai will help you get started.