Kauai is arguably the most beautiful island in the Hawaiian Archipelago. But don’t just take our word for it. Locals call Kauai “The Garden Isle” because of its lush tropical rainforests, and the Napali Coast is famous for its amazing cliffs which are frequently seen in Hollywood films.

The best way to admire these breathtaking cliffs, the waterfalls that fall from them, and the sea caves is on a Na Pali boat tour. These sailing tours in Kauai not only give you the opportunity to experience Na Pali’s stunning scenery but also often offer the chance to go swimming or snorkeling in the turquoise water surrounding the island.

Below we feature 3 of the top-rated Kauai sailing and boat tours as well as some information you will find useful in Your Guide To Vacationing in Kauai.

Be sure to see our reviews of Kauai Snorkeling Tours, Kauai Luaus and Kauai Helicopter Tours.

Best NaPali Coast Boat Tours in Kauai

	Na Pali Coast Kauai Snorkel and Sail	Na Pali Sunset & Sightsee Boat Tour	Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail
Departure:	Holo Holo Charters, 4353 Waialo Rd, Eleele	Port Allen Marina Center, Waialo Road, Eleele	Holo Holo Charters, 4353 Waialo Rd, Eleele
Start:	7:30 AM	2:30 PM	1:30 PM
Duration:	5 hours	3.5 hours	4.5 hours
Includes:	Sailing tour, experienced guide, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, water, wine, beer, and sunscreen	Sailing tour of Napali Coast, dinner, craft beer, wine and Mai-Tais	Sailing tour, Pacific sunset, experienced guide, dinner, champagne, mai tais, soft drinks, water, wine, beer, and sunscreen
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated NaPali Coast Kauai Boat Tours

1. Na Pali Coast Kauai Snorkel and Sail
2. Na Pali Sunset & Sightsee Boat Tour
3. Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail
4. Kauai Niihau and Na Pali Coast Full-Day Boat Tour
5. Kauai Catamaran Sunset Cruise
6. Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition + Snorkeling on Kauai
7. Deluxe Na Pali Morning Snorkel Tour on the Lucky Lady

NaPali Coast Kauai Boat Tour Reviews

1. Na Pali Coast Kauai Snorkel and Sail

This is the best Kauai sailing tour for visitors who are interested in nature and beautiful landscapes. A luxury catamaran uses wind power to transport you along the Napali Coast where you can admire the 4,000-foot-high cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, lush valleys, and secluded beaches.

Photographers, film makers, and artists frequently visit Kauai to be inspired by this breathtaking scenery. Your expert guides will entertain you with the myths of Kauai, which will come to life as you see the landmarks associated with the legends.

The custom-built catamaran features a waterslide to provide swift and easy access into the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. Snorkeling equipment and expert guidance are available that enable you to snorkel over a tropical reef.

Depending upon the time of year, you may encounter whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, and tropical fish. If you have an underwater camera, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take fantastic photographs.

If you care about the environment, you’ll be happy to hear that this tour is Eco-certified. The tour operator is dedicated to sustainability and promoting eco-tourism. This is a fully inclusive tour, so you’ll be served a continental breakfast, a gourmet lunch, and beverages on your Kauai boat tour.

As an added bonus, the experienced crew are fun and friendly. This is an excellent ocean excursion from Kauai that will provide you with memories to last a lifetime.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Experiences You May Enjoy:

2. Na Pali Sunset & Sightsee Boat Tour

This is the best Kauai boat tour for exploring the hidden natural beauty along the Na Pali coast at sunset. Aboard a purpose-built catamaran, you’ll sail along the Napali Coast and come close to the Forbidden Isle of Niihau.

Niihau is known as the Forbidden Isle because it has been privately owned since 1864 and off-limits to outsiders since 1915. It has a small population of mainly indigenous people and is the only island in the Hawaiian Archipelago where Hawaiian remains the first language rather than English.

There is a good chance of seeing spinner dolphins and sea turtles as you cruise along the shore. If you are there between Dec and April you have a great chance of seeing humpback whales. No need to take a separate whale watching tour! The captain knows the spots they are likely to be and will cruise by them.

As sunset approaches, the crew will serve dinner with fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables while you sip on craft beers, wine or Mai Tais.

Here you will find amazing underwater formations and a diverse range of aquatic wildlife. On this Kauai boat excursion, you will also see the spectacular waterfalls, hidden coves, breathtaking cliffs, and sea caves of the Napali Coast.

this Na Pali coast sailing excursion is liable to be the highlight of any vacation in Hawaii.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail

This is the most romantic Kauai sailing tour along the Na Pali coast. The sunset over the Pacific Ocean is an unforgettable experience, and you and your partner can toast it with a glass of champagne.

The 50-foot luxury catamaran sails you along the Napali Coast, providing you with superb views of Kauai’s lush valleys, stunning cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, and intriguing sea caves.

Keep your eyes focused on the crystal-clear water to spot the local marine life. Depending upon the season, you may see whales, seals, turtles, dolphins, and manta rays. The knowledgeable crew will be happy to tell you about the local marine ecology.

As sunset approaches, you will be served a delicious island-style meal. Then when the sun dips into the horizon, you can sip on champagne.

Holo Holo Charters are dedicated to ecotourism. They are a certified Ocean Friendly Restaurant and also a member of the Hawaii Ecotourism Association. At the end of the tour, you will be asked to take the Holo Holo Pledge to promote sustainable tourism.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Kauai Niihau and Na Pali Coast Full-Day Boat Tour

Your mission for today is to enjoy the beautiful Na Pali Coast and Kauai Niihau to its fullest, from one of the best perspectives out there. You’ll have all the food, drinks, views, and expert navigation you could want, and it’s frankly surprising how affordable this tour is!

If that sounds like fun to you, do yourself a favor and check out the Kauai Niihau and Na Pali Coast Full-Day Boat Tour!  Wake up early and head out to the Port Allen Marina Center, where you’ll meet your captain and crew for a day filled with fun and adventure.

I loved how friendly everyone was, paying attention to the needs of every participant to make sure everyone is comfortable and having a good time. Your vessel for the day is a state-of-the-art catamaran with plenty of room for everyone to relax and enjoy the 360 views of this paradise.

Start off by enjoying a delicious continental breakfast while you enjoy phenomenal views – you may even catch sight of spinner dolphins and even whales! You’ll then arrive on shore, where you’ll get to explore lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls, sea caves, and even some hidden beaches!

As you venture through, your guides are there to provide a captivating background on each spot. You’ll then arrive to the fascinating Lehua Crater, where you’ll have the option of donning the included scuba equipment and exploring the pristine underwater world. A

fter your snorkeling expedition, you’ll fuel up with a deli-style buffet lunch consisting of fresh sandwiches, salads, and more! Soft drinks, along with beer and wine are also available – take a sip while you listen to the tales of this region’s history.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Kauai Catamaran Sunset Cruise

While the previous tour was a comprehensive all-day adventure, you don’t have to take a full-day tour in order to experience this region’s beauty. If you already have a packed schedule and want to enjoy Kauai from the water, this next tour is perfect for you.

The Kauai Catamaran Sunset Cruise Tour is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a romantic restaurant date spot. Clocking in at just 1.5 hours, this tour is easy to fit into just about any schedule! While I find it has a romantic appeal, it’s just as fun and exciting to go with friends or the entire family, too.

In this relatively short amount of time, it encapsulates some of the things Hawaii does exceptionally well: beautiful nature vistas, animal sightings, history, music, and delicious food. Kick things off right before sunset by boarding your 50-foot catamaran for the evening and get comfortable.

As you start to head out, you’ll be served cocktails, wine, and/or beer while you munch on some tasty appetizers! The service was better than what you’d find in even the best restaurants, which was such a pleasant surprise. Oh, and if you’re lucky, you and your crew will spot critters like dolphins, turtles, and even North Pacific Humpback whales!

For not being an official whale-watching tour or the like, I was so happy to be able to see these guys up close! You’ll also get to visit the Alekoko Menehune Fish Pond located near the Hulei’a River and see the Hulei’a National Wildlife Refuge.

As you cruise around, enjoy the breathtaking views while listening to some traditional Hawaiian music and the tales about the area’s history from your expert guide.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

6. Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition + Snorkeling on Kauai

Owned and operated by US Coast Guard veterans, you can ensure you’ll be taken on adventure and led by professionals who will keep you safe!

With the Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition + Snorkeling on Kauai, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands with people who know the area like the back of their hand.

This fun-filled adventure along the beautiful coastline will take you everywhere from sea cave rafting to snorkeling through some of the most breathtaking natural beauty the world has to offer.

While there are plenty of snorkeling tours out this way, most of them won’t take you on vessels small enough to get into the caves. However, we were able to do so on this tour, which was so cool and felt like we were heading into another world, almost!

The captain and crew were super friendly and made sure everyone was happy and taken care of, throughout the entire time.

Cruising out on a 30-foot Zodiac raft, we headed out onto the turquoise waters, watching dolphins play around us, which was so amazing to see! As we ventured along, the crew regaled us with fascinating stories surrounding the region’s history and plenty of lore to keep us entertained!

We then stopped at one of the best snorkeling spots around, with the crew there to help us out with putting on gear properly and leading us to some particularly cool places with schools of fish, dolphins, and more!

There were a couple of people in our group who weren’t strong swimmers and opted to stay on board instead of snorkeling, and they still had a great time being able to see everything. Expect 4 hours filled of entertainment and laughs!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

7. Deluxe Na Pali Morning Snorkel Tour on the Lucky Lady

Experience the timeless beauty of Kauai’s Na Pal Coast on a half-day catamaran snorkeling cruise that feels a bit more “premium” than most snorkeling tours out there.

The Deluxe Na Pali Morning Snorkel on the Lucky Lady combines adventure and entertainment with dramatic natural beauty and educational opportunities. Set sail along the stunning coastline complete with plenty of refreshing beverages and lots of fun to be had!

Starting off at the crack of dawn, they really take advantage of the morning to avoid other boat traffic and enjoy generally calmer waters. Upon arrival to their offices, we were checked in and given a safety briefing before boarding our catamaran with plenty of room and prime viewing.

The coastline is beautiful, with emerald cliffs rising from the rich blue waters, which felt like something from a postcard.

While that certainly would’ve been impressive enough for me, we also took in remote views of hidden beaches and cascading waterfalls that many visitors miss out on.

Onboard, the atmosphere was laidback and leisurely, with plenty of alcoholic and soft drinks to sip on as the gentle ocean breeze blows through your hair. We even spotted some dolphins along our way, along with a tropical reef, which I wasn’t expecting!

I also appreciated that they offered us some breakfast snacks along with a lunch consisting of sandwiches, chips, cookies, and pasta salad. It kind of brought me back to childhood, and was just such a fun little addition to our already exciting adventure.

Our crew then found a top spot to stop for some snorkeling and relaxation, with amazing visibility and the chance to see tons of cool sea critters!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Your Guide to Vacationing in Kauai

• Getting Around in Kauai
• Staying Safe in Kauai
• Communicating in Kauai
• What to Pack When Vacationing in Kauai
• Interesting Facts About Kauai
• Get Ready to Have Fun in Kauai!

When planning any vacation, it is important to know the details about where you are going so that you are well-prepared. Figuring things out last minute, or when you actually arrive, can mean disaster for your trip and that’s the last thing you need. Here is some valuable information about Kauai that may make planning your vacation easier.

Getting Around in Kauai

If you plan on seeing more of the island than just the immediate area around the resort you are staying at and a few select tours or attractions, you may want to plan on renting a vehicle. However, if your hotel or resort is centrally located around an area with a lot of the attractions you wish to visit, you will probably want to save the money on the rental car and just use a taxi or even rent a scooter or other cheaper methods of travel.

Staying Safe in Kauai

Kauai has relatively low crime rates and is generally considered a safe place to travel. However, as with any tourist destination, you always want to take precautions when traveling to protect yourself. It’s important not to show off flashy jewelry or expensive cameras. Always have your identification on you in case you are injured or sick and need to get medical help. And always keep your wits about you – don’t drink too much so you can keep your bearings at all times.

Because Kauai is an island, there are a lot of beaches to swim and many Na Pali boat tours. Don’t swim on secluded beaches unless you are familiar with the tides. When swimming at popular beaches, always be aware of lifeguards and obey their rules and instructions. When on Kauai snorkel tours, your captain and crew will brief you with safety instructions and it is important to follow these at all times.

Traveling in the time of Covid

Like many other destinations worldwide, tours and visitor attractions in Kauai have adopted special procedures.

Wearing a mask in mandatory in many locations. You will be expected to supply your own mask and wear it when you enter public buildings.

Keep your distance from other visitors who are not in your family group or bubble. You will be expected to keep your distance inside minibuses and other vehicles and when seated in restaurants.

At the time of writing, the State of Hawaii welcomes visitors but requires pre-travel testing for Covid-19. You can obtain the most up-to-date information directly from the State of Hawaii Portal.

Eco-Tourism and Sustainability in Kauai

The Hawaiian Archipelago offers many areas of outstanding natural beauty and protected wildlife areas you can explore. In order to maintain this wonderful place for future generations, many of the local tour companies operate eco-friendly tours.

When considering the tours we review on the World Travel Guides website, note that there are often eco-friendly options that empower you to become a more sustainable traveler. This is especially true around the islands of Hawaii. Take care of our world and it will take care of our children.

Communicating in Kauai

English is the official language of Hawaii. However, Hawaii is home to many cultures and you will probably run into both locals and tourists that speak many other languages. Pidgin English is the local language of Kauai. You can also hear Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Portuguese. Native Hawaiians appreciate Hawaiian words and locations being pronounced correctly so if you don’t know how to say something, it is best to ask. A local guide can help you as well.

What to Pack When Vacationing in Kauai

The atmosphere is very casual in Kauai. You can wear shorts even when dining at a restaurant but if you are wearing a swimsuit, be sure to wear a coverup or shirt over it. Many people wear slippers even to dine out at a restaurant as it is part of the customary “dress code” of the island; however, some places may require close toed shoes. If you are coming from one of the many Kauai snorkel tours, you will want to make sure you are covered up appropriately with an Aloha shirt or cover up as well as dry shorts and slippers or shoes.

Interesting Facts About Kauai

The highest point on the Kauai island is Kawaikini Peak and the whole island is only 552 square miles. This makes it a relatively small island. Its state bird is the Nene and the “island color” is purple. The state flower that represents Kauai is the Mokihana which can be found abundantly in the tropical forests that cover most of the island.

Get Ready to Have Fun in Kauai!

Kauai is one of those places that must be seen and experienced to really appreciate. Its beauty is unique and cannot be surpassed except by other Hawaii locations which offer similar beauty but always different. You cannot see the stunning cliffs or unique tropical forests unique to this island anywhere else.

So, pack your bags and get ready to enjoy a whole new world at your resort, on beautiful beaches, and of course, on your Kauai snorkel tours!

Kauai Things To Do

Kauai is an island paradise with many things to do. We will cover a few of them here:

Kayaking: The Wailua River is a beautiful and easy kayak paddle. There are quite a few guided kayak tours available that combine a hike to the famous “Sacred Falls”

Helicopter Ride: A great way to take in the Garden Island is from the air with a helicopter tour. You will get to see many areas of the island that you can’t see any other way because they are off limits.

Luau: The traditional Polynesian luau is a great way to not only have a great meal with entertainment but also learn about the Hawaiian culture.

Zipline: Going ziplining through the treetop is not only a great adrenaline rush but an awesome way to see the flora and wildlife in the treetops that you would never get to see!