Today we’re doing a NaPali Coast Boat Tour on Kauai. Along with our daughter, our friends Jack and Lisa and their kids, we’re excited to see the NaPali Coast up-close. See what makes the NaPali Coast a sight you need to see while on Kauai.
Make sure to check back regularly for all of our adventures in Hawaii at: Destination – Hawaii.
Planning a NaPali Coast Boat Tour
When planning our trip to Kauai, Lisa said we have to see the NaPali Coast. Famous for movies like Jurassic Park, there are 3 ways to see it: by helicopter, boat or hiking through it. Since we can’t do a helicopter tour all together, and they are much more expensive, that is out. And though we could all hike together, it would be in the rugged wilderness. Our kids are definitely not into a strenuous and long hike. So that leaves a boat tour. The good news is Lisa and Jack previously did a boat tour when they honeymooned on Kauai. And they loved it.
Though we looked at different options, we decided to go with the same company they previously toured with. Blue Dolphin Charters offers multiple options including their Deluxe NaPali Coat Snorkel. This tour is their most popular combining the NaPali Coast and snorkeling. And it includes all the snorkel gear, breakfast and lunch. It even includes beer, wine and mai tais after lunch! So we booked this tour through their website 2.5 months before our trip. Advanced reservations are recommended at: Blue Dolphin Kauai | Niihau & NaPali Coast Boat Tours.
Beginning of our NaPali Coast Boat Tour
Another reason we chose Blue Dolphin Charters was because their tour starts at 8:00AM. And since we’re staying in Princeville, over an hour away, it gives us more time to get there. They are located at the Port Allen Marina in Eleele, on the Southern coast of Kauai. We check in right around 8:00AM and park our car in an adjacent dirt lot. When I walk back they are starting an orientation of our planned activities. And it looks to be a beautiful day..
After the orientation, we walk past the dirt parking lot to the marina and the boat. The tour is on a custom-built 65′ catamaran, and as we approach the crew is waiting for us. Captain Joe greets us and introduces us to the crew.
The catamaran has 2 levels outside, the main level and there’s stairs up to another level with bench seats. You can also walk inside where they have restrooms and more seating. We go up top to ensure we get a great view. And after everyone is settled in with a safety briefing, we depart around 8:35AM. Soon afterwards, a continental breakfast of fresh tropical fruit, warm cinnamon rolls and more is served. As we eat our breakfast, we travel along the shoreline toward the NaPali Coast.
Spotting Dolphins on the NaPali Coast Boat Tour
Another reason to book Blue Dolphin Charters is they guarantee we’ll see dolphins on all morning tours. If we don’t see them, we’ll receive another tour free during our stay. So, after breakfast we continue to watch the water for signs of dolphins.
Captain Joe spots them first, and tell us over the boat speaker. So everyone goes to the railings to look for them while the captain moves the boat closer. And we look out to see a whole pod of dolphins.
These are spinner dolphins, found in tropical waters around the world. A smaller dolphin, they are known for spinning when they jump out of the water. We don’t see them spinning, but we do see them jumping in and out of the water quickly. Captain Joe thinks they are feeding which makes sense.
Snorkeling on our NaPali Coast Boat Tour
It takes us 1.5 hours to get to our snorkel spot. It’s a remote area with clear turquoise water are surrounded by rocky cliffs. Though there are many other boats already here when we arrive. But there is plenty of space for us to anchor. And as soon as we do, we see a sea turtle in the water. And then one of the crew throws something in the water, and a bunch of fish surround it. The crew also has all the snorkel gear on the deck waiting for us.
We all head to the back of the boat and grab our gear. We head to the very back where there are some stairs and a slide. So, once I get my gear on, I slide right into the warm water. Our daughter grabs a noodle for extra floatation and takes the stairs down before she gets in.
Our daughter has been practicing snorkeling for months, and once she gets in she’s doing great. It’s easy in the crystal clear water and though it’s fairly deep, we can easily see to the bottom. We’re told to stay in a specific area between the boat and shore with plenty of space to swim.
We see many fish as soon as we look underwater. And many of them are black triggerfish, or humuhumu’ele’ele in Hawaiian. Not to be confused with the more colorful humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa, the Hawaiian state fish. And we see a couple dozen of them just swimming around us.
We enjoy the time in the water for almost an hour before we’re called back to the boat. Once everyone’s onboard, we head farther down the NaPali Coast.
The Legendary NaPali Coast
The shoreline we’ve seen so far has been very pretty, but it’s just the beginning. NaPali or Na Pali means “many cliffs” where sea cliffs climb up to 4,000 feet. And as we make it to the northwest shore, we start to see these enormous emerald-colored cliffs.
Made from volcanic activity millions of years ago, the cliffs have been carved out by wind and rain over time. And inside these cliffs are hidden valleys, many with water making it to the sea creating many waterfalls.
The captain is narrating our voyage and takes us right under a waterfall. He drives the boat as close as we can get to the cliffs and under the trickling water. Our daughter is amazed and goes to the front to get as close as she can get. Though we all get close to another one later on.
Another feature of the NaPali Coast are the sea caves. Carved from the crashing waves over time, there are many of them. And of course, the captain puts the front of the boat inside a very large one. And we can see through it to the other side. It’s just amazing and beautiful to see up-close.
After about a half hour going up to NaPali Coast seeing more waterfalls and sea caves, we head back. Going back the same way we came, we get to view the NaPali Coast all over again. But this time the bar is open.
The Return Trip
As soon as the boat starts heading back, the bar is open. So, we head down to get our choice of beer, wine or mai tais. The crew has done everything from helping us onboard, getting us snorkel gear, and are now serving us drinks.
While the bar is open, the crew is also busy preparing our lunch. We got to choose from a turkey wrap or pulled pork sandwich when we registered. So once the food is ready, they hand everyone a plate with their sandwich and chips. Though our daughter is back at the front of the boat enjoying the ocean air and the NaPali Coast views.
Up until this point, the boat ride has been smooth. But when heading back, the waves start to pick up. So, the captain turns up the music and we take it easy. It seems like it takes forever, but we enjoy the drinks and the views. We even spot a monk seal lying on an empty beach. And just before 2:00PM, we are back at the marina.
Summary of our NaPali Boat Coast Tour
We loved our NaPali Coast boat tour for many reasons. The 1st was the boat. The catamaran had railings keeping us safe, but allowing us to walk around it to get different views. The 2nd was the exceptional crew who kept us informed while catering to our needs. And of course the NaPali Coast itself. Seeing it up-close is unreal. The towering cliffs, hidden valleys, waterfalls and sea caves are truly amazing sights to see!
On the way back, Captain Joe told us about a beach near the marina. It’s near an old bottle recycling plant and is now a great place to find sea glass. So, of course we have to check it out. And Becky and Lisa find all kinds of colors in a short time, before we head to our next adventure.
Make sure to check back regularly for all of our adventures in Hawaii at: Destination – Hawaii