Please read our “Frequently Asked Questions” before contacting us. Contact info is below.
Disclaimer: We don’t call it an adventure for no reason. Our tour may not be suitable for individuals who are physically challenged. Those that suffer from motion sickness should take precautions. Safety is always our top priority. Ocean conditions can sometimes turn rough; therefore tour routes and schedules are approximate and subject to change. Snorkeling and sea caves depend on ocean conditions. They must also be prepared to wade into sometime waist-deep water, sometimes in small surf. We do not guarantee snorkeling or entry into sea caves – that is always the goal, but the captain will determine on the day 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 us for a tour. Mahalo.
Yes! Our winter route, Kipu Kai offers world class sight seeing, snorkeling, and whale watching.
No. Our latest tour is the Na Pali Afternoon option.
No. Our calendar is the same in our office and online.
No. Though 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.
A catamaran is a vessel formed of two hulls. The advantage of a catamaran is its stability, comfort, and speed. Our power driven catamaran does not have sails which would hinder us from entering the sea caves.
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.
Snorkel gear and a 30-liter waterproof bag. We provide snacks, bottled water, and soft drinks throughout all tours, as well as lunch, including sandwiches, chips, cookies, and fresh fruit on our Na Pali tours. We do not provide towels.
Yes! Call us to make arrangements - 808-826-6853.
Each tour has advantages. For Na Pali, the morning tour tends to be a little cooler and calmer on the ride back to Hanalei. The afternoon tour may be a bit warmer and bumpier on the ride back, but lighting conditions typically offer greater photo opportunities. We recommend searching “morning” or “afternoon,” on our page on Tripadvisor or other online review sites, to see what people are saying about each one. Our Kipu Kai tour is offered when the weather and/or rough seas prevent us from doin Na Pali tours.
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. The Kipu Kai tour does not feature any sea caves large enough to enter.
Yes, we provide fins, flotation devices and high-quality non-prescription masks. We do allow guests to bring their own gear if doing so provides them increases comfort and/or a better experience.
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. For our Kipu Kai tour, park at NawiliwiliSmall Boat Harbor and meet us on the dock.
You will be asked to wade in approximately knee-deep water to board our vessel. If you wear shoes and socks, they will not stay dry. We recommend you wear flip-flops or water shoes. We also recommend bringing a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, camera, and a light jacket/cover-up.
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, we will disallow you from joining the tour. 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 assures the comfort and safety of both passengers and crew.
Yes, don’t worry, it’s clean and private.
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.
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.
All passengers will be required to walk up to 3/4 mile down the beach before wading through water to climb 4 steps up a ladder to board the vessel. Sorry, but there is no way around this. All passengers must be physically able to do so, we cannot refund your money if you book with us but are unable to achieve this task. Following major surgery, including (but not limited to) neck, back, hips or knees, we discourage the recovering patient from joining our tours. The seas can become bumpy and we would feel terrible if you reinjured or aggravated something that should be resting/healing. Again, safety always comes first.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 sea sickness 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.
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.
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!
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.
Na Pali Catamaran
5-5190 Kuhio Highway
Hanalei, HI 96714
(808) 826-6853
(866) 255-6853
If your question is not answered on our F.A.Q. page, please contact us! We’re happy to help.
