Na Pali Ocean Rafting

Note: The small raft is typically available 7 days per week. The large raft is not available on Mondays and Thursdays due to cruise ship contracts

Explore Kauai's rugged Na Pali coast on board one of two different vessels with the Na Pali Explorer. These tours depart from the Kikiaola small boat harbor west of Waimea, which cuts 20 minutes or so each way on the trip to the Na Pali compared to the boats that depart from the Port Allen Harbor. This increases the amount of time you have along the scenic Kona and Na Pali coasts and cuts down on the time getting there and back.

The scenery along the Na Pali coastline is just breathtaking. There are sea caves and archways to explore, with numerous waterfalls falling directly into the ocean.

 

Sealife abounds, including spinner and spotted dolphins, monk seals, and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Humpback whales are often seen during the winter months. All of these creatures are seen in their natural wild habitat.

Na Pali Explorer offers two different tours ... one on their smaller 26 foot zodiac and one on their larger 48 foot rigid hull inflatable. Both tours are 4 1/2 hours in length and include snorkel gear and a deli lunch. Check-in is at 6:30am at their office in Waimea.

 

Small Raft - 26' foot zodiac

The capacity for this trip is 16-18 people. This high speed zodiac is the more adventurous, high-energy ride. The speed and small size allows them to cover the nooks and crannies of the Na Pali coastline, and go right into the sea caves (ocean conditions permitting). They also have a permit to land at a remote beach which is an added bonus during the summer months and during calm seas in the fall and spring. (winter landings are rare due to the large north swells.) This is the least expensive raft trip that you'll find that includes a beach landing!!! Minimum age for this tour is 8.

 

Large Raft - 48' rigid hull inflatable

The capacity for this trip is 35 people. This fast but comfortable boat offers shade and an on-board rest room, as well as a smoother ride than the smaller raft. This boat is still small enough to maneuver into sea caves during calm seas, but this boat does not do a beach landing. They typically stop for snorkeling along the Kona coast on the way back from the Na Pali. Minimum age for this tour is 5.

Due to the nature of the ride, no pregnant women or people with bad backs. Minimum age is 5 on the large raft and 8 on the small raft.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS

The Na Pali Explorer raft tours   have an early morning departure and do not work for cruise ship itineraries on day one in Kauai. They don't work on day 2 because the tour does not end in time to get back for the ship's departure. You might consider a sunset motor tour of the Na Pali on the afternoon / evening of day one in port instead. 

Activity Tips

I've been on numerous Na Pali boat tours, but a day on the water with the Na Pali Explorer took me further along the Na Pali coast than I'd ever been before. Their closer departure point to the Na Pali allows more time to explore this spectacular area. Their two different rafts allow for a choice in your adventure that you don't have with other companies. 

For people who are considering a Na Pali adventure, I don't think the choice is between this raft company and other raft companies ... their closer departure makes this trip an absolute winner. The question is, "Which one of their rafts is the best choice for my adventure?"

That depends on you ... if you are a die hard and a bumpy, wild ride sounds like fun to you, then the smaller raft offers high adventure. This raft rates a 10 on the adventure scale ... its small size allows them to get into every nook and cranny of the Na Pali coast, and even allows a beach landing at a remote spot (weather and ocean conditions permitting). The smaller raft lacks creature comforts ... be sure to bring lots of sunscreen and wear a hat (one with a string that goes under your neck so it doesn't blow away ... they don't turn around and chase after lost hats). The smaller raft has no rest room ... when nature calls, well, nature is your answer! But if you've got teens this is the trip they are going to love!

The larger raft is a great compromise ... it allows you to have the creature comforts like shade and an on-board rest room that you'd get on a larger boat, but it still offers the low-to-the-water ride of a zodiac raft. It has a smoother, cushier ride than the zodiac, but it is still fast enough to cover the entire Na Pali coast and small enough to get into several of the most spectacular sea caves.

There are some days along the Na Pali, especially in the wintertime, when a huge north swell will prevent either boat from entering any of the sea caves. Just being close enough to witness these monster waves crashing on the cliffs is a spectacular experience. Occasionally in the wintertime conditions will not allow either boat to reach the Na Pali. If that's the case the captain will select an alternate destination along the south shore that is safe and also offers a memorable day on the water. While the Na Pali is always their preferred destination, even on days when they can't get there they guarantee you a great time and a fun adventure. As a general rule If it is too rough for these guys to go to the Na Pali, it's too rough for any boats to go there.

As a resident of Hawaii, I consider the Na Pali coastline to be the most scenic and most sacred place in the islands. There are better places in Hawaii to snorkel, but nothing compares with the dramatic scenery and raw natural beauty of this wild coastline. 

Na Pali Rafting Reservations

Upon submitting your activity reservation for processing, we will make reservations for you and send an e-mail confirming all of the details. These confirmations are often sent a few minutes after your reservation, but some activities take longer to confirm than others. You will receive an e-mail confirmation by the end of the next business day at the latest. There are no tickets that you need to pick up prior to your event. Your e-mail confirmation will have all the details you need to check in and enjoy your selected activity. This saves you precious time when you arrive in Hawaii. 

Please be sure that you have typed your email address perfectly; an incorrect address will prevent you from getting your confirmation details, and we will have no way of knowing that you never received your confirmation. We cannot be responsible for errors that clients make which causes them to miss their tour. If you do not see your email confirmation within 24 hours please call us right away to check on the status of your order.

A credit card is required to guarantee payment for your reservations, but the activities on this page ARE NOT CHARGED when your order is placed. These activities are operated by vendors who charge you at the time of check-in for your activity. Adventureinhawaii.com will provide this vendor with your billing information so that your space is reserved. Even though your credit card is not charged in advance, it is import to realize that you are making a confirmed reservation. No-shows will be charged in full by the activity provider on the credit card used to secure the reservation .

After making reservations, you may reschedule or cancel your activity up until 48 hours prior to its start (a few activities have 72 hour cancellation policies ... see your confirmation e-mail for details). Within 48 hours of the start of your activity all reservations are final and non-refundable (unless the event is cancelled by the vendor due to weather or other factors ... in which case you are refunded in full). Due to our incredible climate here, weather cancellations are rare.  No-shows and cancellations without adequate notice are charged in full on the credit card used to secure the reservation and are non-refundable.