Nā Pali Coast Tours: The 15 Best Boat & Air Trips

1.Kauai Airplane Tour: Na Pali Coast, Waterfalls & Window Seats

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,964 reviews · 1 hour 5 minutes (approx.) · from $159Our pick

See Kauai from a six-seat GA8 Airvan, with large bubble windows, noise-reduction headsets, and narration from an experienced pilot. The roughly 60-minute flight circles the island, passing Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, Jurassic Falls, Wailua Falls, the Na Pali Coast, and Mount Waialeale. Check in at Lihue Airport 30 minutes early.

“Not for the faint of heart but wanted to see the cliffs, etc. and we did! Great pilot and appreciated that he grew up there and knew the area.”

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2.Na Pali Coast Half-Day Raft and Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,609 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $217

Join Kauai Sea Tours for a six-hour raft trip from Port Allen. A 14-person boat carries you along the Na Pali Coast, into sea caves, beneath waterfalls, and to Nu‘alolo Kai for 30 to 45 minutes of snorkeling. Captains such as KK, Sky, Duffie, and Josh share island stories while the crew serves breakfast or lunch, drinks, and snacks.

“The Captain was awesome (KK), she shared history and interesting facts about the island. She made sure we saw turtles, whales and dolphins. Such an amazing way to see the Napali Coast. The snorkeling was amazing, so so many fish and turtles. It was a great day. Great adventure. Highly recommend.”

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3.Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,530 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $235

From Port Allen, you’ll spend about 4.5 hours on a 37-foot Naiad Super Raft with a captain and crew such as Andrew, CJ, Max, or Kannon. Expect fast open-water travel, Na Pali cliffs, sea caves, waterfalls, snacks, and a weather-dependent snorkel stop. The ride can be bumpy, so motion-sickness medicine is wise.

“Captain NoNu and Max were fantastic, Great views and music and experience! Make sure you have seasickness medicine or scopolamine patch just in case”

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4.Deluxe Na Pali Sunset Tour on the Lucky Lady

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,510 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $222

Board the 60-foot Lucky Lady at Port Allen for a five-hour sunset cruise along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Captain Evan and other local captains share island stories while the crew serves a taco buffet, beer, wine, Mai Tais, and soft drinks. Expect cliffs, sea caves, wildlife, changing weather, and possible rough water.

“It was a wonderful experience. The most exciting thing was whale watching. We saw whales several times in this boat tour. Other things include fantastic view of the cliffs and good service of the staff.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,485 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $233

Board the Lucky Lady at 6:45 a.m. for a roughly six-hour cruise along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Captain Kauai, Captain Evan, and the crew may share island stories as you pass waterfalls and sea cliffs, then snorkel, swim, use the waterslide, and enjoy lunch with an open bar. Ocean conditions control the route and snorkel time.

“Great crew - these people need a raise. They are on top of everything - so helpful and making sure everyone is safe and taken care of throughout the cruise. Only thing missing is a fresh water shower after the snorkel. :-) Other than that, it was perfect!”

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6.NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia K

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,240 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $214

Sail from Eleele aboard the family-owned Amelia K or another Makana catamaran for about five hours along Kauai’s NaPali Coast. Native guides such as Captain Mike, Shawn, Ethan, Ky, and Charlie share island stories, point out dolphins and whales, and steer near sea caves. Summer trips may include snorkeling, while winter afternoon tours focus on whales and sunset.

“Wonderful experience on the Na Pali Coast. Shawn, Ethan, and Ky were great guides, very knowledgeable about the coast and local History. Snorkeling was great. Seen many whales and dolphins”

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7.Na Pali Sunset & Sightsee Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,168 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $263

Cruise 17 miles of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast on a power catamaran, with cliff views, sea caves, dolphins, seasonal whales, dinner, and sunset drinks. Crews may include captains such as Nate, Jess, or Glenn, depending on the departure. Expect a barefoot boat ride, possible spray, and changing ocean conditions.

“Fabulous excursion with Captain Glenn and his crew! Smooth sailing today, saw dolphins, and food was great! Great music. Very knowledgeable crew. Enjoyed very much. Will do again. Highly recommend!”

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8.Air Tour of Na Pali Coast, Entire Island of Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 924 reviews · 1h 5m · from $155Best value

Fly around Kauai for 65 minutes in Wings Over Kauai’s six-seat G8 AirVan. Your pilot points out Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Bay, waterfalls, coffee fields, movie sites, and Mt. Waiʻaleʻale. Two-way headsets, large windows, music, and local commentary make this a personal alternative to a helicopter flight.

“It was a great tour. Marcus did a good job getting us over the best spots with good views and informational narration. I recommend buying the video that is offered. We took a ground tour the following day, and it was interesting seeing areas on the ground that we had flown over.”

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9.Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 736 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $237

This four-hour Na Pali Riders trip takes you from Waimea along Kauai’s west coast in a 30-foot Zodiac raft. Captains such as Brandon, Brenden, and Mack share island history while guiding you past cliffs, waterfalls, sea caves, dolphins, and seasonal whales. Snorkeling and cave entry depend entirely on ocean conditions, so expect adventure rather than a guaranteed checklist.

“This is funist boat ride ever they were informative and grest smal family business they acomate your every wish going to tell all my freinds and family”

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10.Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Snorkel and Sail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 541 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $292

Board the 50-foot Leila catamaran at Port Allen for about six hours along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. You’ll receive breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, instruction, and drinks while the crew points out dolphins, turtles, whales, valleys, and waterfalls. Captains such as Kelly, Jess, and Mike are praised for calm guidance, though sea conditions can change the route and snorkeling stop.

“Staff is wonderful with new snorkelers, great snorkeling sight. There wasn't any wind so we didn't get to sail. Great day”

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11.Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 524 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $263

Sail from Port Allen Marina along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast aboard the 50-foot Leila. You’ll see towering cliffs, waterfalls, sea caves, and marine life, then enjoy a fresh dinner, open drinks, and a Champagne toast near sunset. Captain Kevin and crew members such as Jess, John, Nicole, and Max have all helped make recent trips memorable, though the crew changes.

“The layout of the boat made it tough to have the experience we were hoping for. For the cost of the experience I wish there was better seating and the fact it was too rough to sail was disappointing because the motor was loud. The crew was fantastic and very knowlegable. They really do a wonderful job with what they have. The coast was stunning once we got there and we even got to see a group of dolphins!”

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12.Ni’ihau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 428 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $361

Start at 6 a.m. aboard Holo Holo Charters’ 65-foot Kauai-built catamaran. Captain Nate, Captain Jess, and other crew members have led praised outings, though the crew may vary. Expect breakfast, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, Na Pali Coast views, and a chance to reach remote Ni’ihau and Lehua Crater, weather permitting.

“They should have never left the dock. They knew the tradewinds were there, the water was so choppy. The next morning was even worse, I have never been so sore from a boat ride. Especially a boat of that size”

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13.Na Pali Coast Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 403 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $274

Spend 4.5 hours along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast aboard a custom-built power catamaran for up to 18 people. Guides such as Captain Jane, Jake, RJ, Corbin, and Seana share local history, steer toward sea caves, and help spot dolphins, turtles, and whales. You’ll have snorkel gear, fruit, drinks, and one dry bag, but expect a wet, bumpy ride.

“Great views awesome guides who are knowledgeable. The views are breathtaking. Definitely a must have experience for kauai.”

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14.Deluxe Na Pali Sunset Snorkel Tour on the Lucky Lady

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 318 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $233

You’ll cruise Kauai’s Na Pali Coast aboard the Lucky Lady, a catamaran with a waterslide, restrooms, showers, snorkel gear, dinner, and drinks. The crew shares island history and coastal lore while you look for dolphins, turtles, seasonal humpback whales, waterfalls, and a sunset. Routes and snorkeling depend on ocean conditions.

“Great crew and boat. Crew took the time to get to know us and talk about their lives and how Hawaii has impacted them. Made it more personal and fun.”

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15.‘Imiloa Express Nā Pali Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 313 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $211

Sail Kauai’s Na Pali Coast aboard the 40-foot Imiloa Express, a fast catamaran carrying up to 36 people. Your local crew points out sea caves, waterfalls, dolphins, and island legends, then stops for 30 to 45 minutes of swimming or snorkeling when conditions allow. Meals, soft drinks, gear, and post-snorkel drinks are included.

“This was an awesome tour! So happy we did it! The crew was great! Very attentive and informative with great music! The snorkeling was fun and the Na’pali coast is breathtaking! If you go to Kauai this is a must!”

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