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Na
Pali Kayaking
Kayaking
the Na Pali Coast has been called the "Mount Everest" of
ocean kayaking. This is truly an awesome adventure, but this is a
very demanding trip and it is not for everyone. Please read this
entire page carefully before making any reservations!
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Na
Pali Sea Kayaking ... the
"Mt. Everest" of ocean kayaking
17
mile tour:
$195.66 per person
May
- September only
A
South Shore tour in the Poipu area is done from October -
April. That tour is $145
per person
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This tour is very
popular and we recommend reservations at least a month in advance. This
17 mile paddle that begins in Hanalei
and ends at Polihale Beach is a truly astounding adventure that has
been featured on the cover of National Geographic Adventure
Magazine. Kayak Kauai is the company featured in that
article and the most experienced company in outfitting this tour.
Marvel at sea caves, plunging waterfalls, hanging valleys, and
secluded beaches. This
will be a long and impressive day of warm coastal paddling and
caving. You'll meet your guide at Kayak Kauai's Hanalei shop at 6am
and begin your journey in two-person sit-on-top kayaks with
self-bailing scuppers and comfortable backrests. Your kayak is
equipped with a rudder, which improves steering and greatly improves
forward paddling efficiency. This is a one-way paddle that is done
downwind (when the consistent trade winds are blowing in the normal
direction). You will
paddle beyond the verdant valley of Kalalau, past the arches of
Honopu, and into the azure blue waters of a volcanic sea cave. Along
the way it is common to encounter dolphins, sea turtles, and on
special occasions you'll catch a glimpse of the elusive Hawaiian
monk seal. Imagine kayaking THROUGH a waterfall to get into a sea
cave, or paddling into a cave and discovering that the roof is now
gone and a giant skylight appears overhead! A
little over halfway through the day you'll spend a few hours at the
quiet beach of Mololii where you'll have lunch and rest up for the
second part of the journey. At Milolii you can swim, beach comb, and
visit an ancient Hawaiian fishing shrine. Polihale
Beach Park is the final destination, where the cliffs meet the sand
dunes. A van awaits your arrival, and after a refreshing shower
you'll be transported back to Hanalei with an arrival around 7:30pm.
The
Na Pali Kayak is offered 7 days a week May through September. The
cost is $195.66 per person plus a $9.78 State Parks landing fee and 4%
tax. It is also customary to tip your guide, but the amount is based
upon your satisfaction with the service you receive. This tour is
limited to 12 paddlers per day, and the tour is very popular. For
this reason, more stringent cancellation policies apply than other
tours. Cancellations must be made at least one week prior to your
date or full charge will apply.
The
minimum age for this tour is 16; exceptions may be made for younger
teens who have kayaking experience. Call us toll-free at 1.877.678.7333
to discuss your situation if you have a younger paddler that you
feel is more than capable to handle this tour. Please do not show up
with an unapproved underaged paddler. Doing so may jeapordize your
participation in the tour with no refund of the tour price!!! Please
read the activity tips section below for more recommendations and
cautions about this tour.
Na Pali is a summer kayaking
destination. From October through April the winter surf on the north
shore makes this trip impossible. During the off-season a very nice
alternate trip is offered along the South Shore of Kauai beginning
in Poipu. This tour is available on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
from October through April. The cost is $145 per
person and can also be ordered using the form at the right. During
the winter months humpback whale sightings are common. This South
Shore Tour is an 8.5 mile journey with 3-4 hours of intermittent
paddling.
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The Na Pali
coast is truly astounding, and there is no more intimate way to
experience it than by kayak. This is a long day though, and this
tour is not right for everyone. Please read this page carefully
before reserving.
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If
you decide that this tour is too hard-core for you, check out the
river-oriented kayak tours that are also available on Kauai. The Secret
Falls Kayak goes up the Wailua River and at the end of your
paddle you hike to an amazing waterfall. The Blue Lagoon Tour
takes place on the Hanalei River, and goes out to the bay for some
nice snorkeling. You can read more about these other Kauai
Kayak Tours by clicking here.
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CRUISE
SHIP PASSENGERS |
Na Pali Coast kayak tours
are too long of a day for this to work for any cruise ship
itinerary.
ACTIVITY
TIPS
Now that we've
talked you into the tour, let's spend a few minutes trying to talk
you out of it! For those who are capable of handling this
strenuous trip it is a rewarding experience that you will remember
for the rest of your life. For those who are not capable of handling
this trip, if you attempt to do it and you aren't up to the demands,
it will be a day that you will try to forget for the rest of your
life. It is our job to aptly prepare you and help you decide if this
trip is for you.
Each kayak holds two
paddlers, and each paddler is a motor. If one paddler can't
contribute due to fatigue or sea sickness, that kayak will be
functioning without a motor. Weaker paddlers typically go in the
front, and the stronger one goes in the rear ... not everyone needs
to be a weight lifter. But this tour is not practical for you if
anyone in your party is nothing more than "dead weight"
for the majority of the trip. While you don't have to paddle ALL
the time, you will need to paddle for approximately 6 hours off and
on. Small breaks are frequently taken along the way at particularly
scenic spots. Kayaks are a very efficient watercraft and strokes go
a long ways. No one single stroke is strenuous, but the strokes are
very repetitive. If you don't have much endurance or if you have any
neck or back injuries that are likely to be aggravated, this is not
the tour for you. If
you've been out on the ocean before and know that you are prone to
sea sickness, don't even CONSIDER doing this tour. If you are prone
to sea sickness, this tour will make you sea sick. Let that sink
in. It is not uncommon for someone to "pull out" of the
tour an hour into the day. No, you don't get your money back if
you fail to complete the tour or don't enjoy it because you got
seasick!!! A speedboat is available to pick up anyone who
is in serious trouble, but once you are more than 45 minutes into
this tour there is no turning back and you've got to "suck it
up" and paddle. You may feel like you are dying and want a
rescue boat. Unfortunately, you don't get a rescue boat because you
feel like you are dying, you only get one if you REALLY ARE DYING
or the crew has determined that serious dehydration is setting in. The
other issue is the surf and ocean conditions that may be
encountered, particularly during the beach landings. On a strong
trade wind day the paddling will be easier because you've got the
wind at your back, but there is a price to be paid when you land.
Rougher surf and swell is the result, which increases the chances
that your kayak may capsize. This is something your guides will
thoroughly address, but some people "freak out" if that
happens. Your belongings that accompany you are relatively safe in
"dry bags" but you shouldn't bring anything with you on
the tour that would cause you to be devastated if it got wet. Guides
carry VHF radios, emergency position indicating radio beacons,
flares, first aid kits, and a sea rescue device. They are
professionals who are thoroughly trained in CPR and water rescue. This
tour is not right for everyone! This tour is not right for most
people. If it is right for you, choose your partner carefully and
sign up using the form at the right. WHAT
TO WEAR A
bathing suit, loose-fitting long pants or a sarong to cover your
legs from the sun, light long sleeved shirt, hat (with chin strap if
possible), sunglasses with strap (buy a good pair of polarizing
glasses which will make the ocean more beautiful), footwear (aqua
shoe or sport sandal). and sunscreen. WHAT
TO BRING Water
(2 quarts per person, munchies (candy, trail mix, etc. to tide you
over until lunch), windbreaker, camera (disposible or waterproof), a
change of clothing and towel. THE
DAY BEFORE Call
Kayak Kauai at the number provided in your confirmation email for a
weather check between noon and 3pm. Stay well hydrated, avoid
alcohol, and go to bed early. Take some sea sickness prevention
medicine the night before if you are concerned about that issue. Eat
breakfast on the way to the shop on the morning of your tour but
avoid greasy foods and lots of coffee. TYPICAL
SCHEDULE 06:00am
Check in at Kayak Kauai's shop in Hanalei 06:45am
Leave shop by van 07:00am
Orientation and instruction at Ha'ena Beach Park 07:45am
Launch kayaks to begin voyage 12:30pm
Land at Milolii Beach for lunch and break 02:30pm
Re-launch 04:30pm
Land at Polihale Beach and shower 05:30pm
Depart by van for return to Hanalei 07:30pm
Arrive back at Kayak Kauai's shop
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