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Na
Pali Ocean Rafting
Explore
Kauai's rugged Na Pali coast on board one of three different vessels
with the Na Pali Explorer. 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 a huge advantage over most other rafting tours on Kauai because of the proximity of their departure points to the Na Pali. Two of their vessels 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 on the south shore. 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. Tours operate from this west side location all year.
The large 48 foot raft seats 35 people and offers the most comfortable journey. The small 26 foot raft seats 18 people and offers the most adventureous journey (including a beach landing on days when the ocean swells are small).
For those staying in the Princeville / Hanalei area, a third vessel operates out of Hanalei on the north shore of Kauai and is a 42 foot raft that seats 26 people. This raft operates on weekdays during the months of April through September. (Ocean swells make north shore departures impractical during the winter months.)
Please note when making a reservation that this tour operator does not accept American Express; Visa or Mastercard is required.
NPE / R
48 Foot Large Raft - west shore departure
Year-round daily departures. The
capacity for this vessel is 35 people and the check in is at the Na Pali Explorer store in Waimea. This fast and comfortable boat
offers shade and an on-board rest room, as well as a smoother ride
than the smaller raft. This vessel is small enough to maneuver
into sea caves during calm seas and is our favorite way to experience the coastline of the Na Pali. Minimum age is 5. No pregnant women, and no one with neck or back injuries permitted on the tour.
Note: Kikiaola Harbor is currently undergoing construction; during this time there are some days that the larger raft departs from Port Allen. On these days the checkin is still at the Na Pali Explorer shop in Waimea and they shuttle guests to the departure location.
- Morning tour - 4.5 hours in length and includes snorkel gear, lunch, beverages, and a snorkel stop is typically made along the Na Pali or Kona coast.
Check-in time varies with the season but is typically 6:30am in the summertime and 8:00am in the wintertime (your email confirmation will tell you the exact check-in time for your tour date). This tour operates 7 days a week. Adults $149, Children ages 5-12 $99
- Afternoon tour - 3 hours in length and includes beverages, and a snack. This is a sightseeing excursion and does not include snorkeling. From December through April time is also spent watching humpback whales. Typically offered Tuesday and Friday only Adults $105, Children ages 5-12 $75
44 Foot Large Raft - north shore departure
April through September operations. The
capacity for this vessel is 26 people and the check in is near the pier at Hanalei Bay. This raft is similar to the one used year-round for the west shore departures in that it offers shade and an on-board rest room. This vessel is small enough to maneuver
into sea caves during calm seas and is our favorite way to experience the coastline of the Na Pali for those staying on the north shore. Minimum age is 5. No pregnant women, and no one with neck or back injuries permitted on the tour.
- Morning tour - 4 hours in length and includes snorkel gear, snacks, beverages, and a snorkel stop is typically made along the Na Pali coast. Check-in time is typically 7:30am and this tour operates Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in April and May, and Monday through Saturday in June through September. Adults $149, Children ages 5-12 $99
- Afternoon tour - 4 hours in length and includes snorkel gear, snacks, beverages, and a snorkel stop is typically made along the Na Pali coast. Check-in time is typically 12:30pm and this tour operates Monday through Saturday in June through September. Adults $149, Children ages 5-12 $99
26 Foot Small Raft - west shore departure T,TH, SAT & SUN and north shore departure M, W, & F
April through September daily. The
capacity for this vessel 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. Tours that include a beach landing are rare as there are a very limited number of permits issued by the state of Hawaii! Minimum age is 8. No pregnant women, and no one with neck or back injuries permitted on the tour.
- Morning tour - 4 to 4.5 hours in length and includes snorkel gear, lunch, beverages, and snorkeling is typically done during the beach landing along the Na Pali. Checkin is at the Na Pali Explorer store in Waimea on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Checkin at Hanalei near the pier on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This tour operates 7 days a week April through September. Adults $149, Children ages 8-12 $99
- Afternoon tour - 4 to4.5 hours in length and is identical to the morning tour in ammenities. This tour typically operates daily in June, July, and August. Checkin is at the Na Pali Explorer store in Waimea on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Checkin at Hanalei near the pier on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Adults $149, Children ages 8-12 $99
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CRUISE
SHIP PASSENGERS |
The Na Pali Explorer morning tours do not work for cruise ship passengers. If you are on the Pride of America and overnighting in Kauai, you can do an afternoon tour or you might also consider a sunset
motor tour of the Na Pali
on the afternoon / evening of day one in port.
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 three 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
departures make this company 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 rafts are 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. As a matter of fact, I believe you get to see more of the Na Pali on the larger raft. While the smaller raft is doing a beach landing, the larger raft goes further along the Na Pali coast and offers more time for exploring this incredible coastline.
There are some days
along the Na Pali, especially in the wintertime, when a huge north
swell will prevent any raft 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 them 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.
We are also excited to now offer a north shore Hanalei departure for our clients who are staying in Hanalei and Princeville. This departure point is only available during the calm months of April through September. In the late fall, winter, and early spring the large north swells come rolling in and Hanalei Bay often closes out with breaking waves, which makes boating there impossible. If you are coming in the summer months, the north shore departure is your best choice if you are staying anywhere on the north shore, or the east shore areas of Kapa'a and Lihue. If you are staying in Poipu or elsewhere along the south or west shore, we would suggest the west side departures instead.
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.
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