Discover the Napali Coast sailing Hawaiian waters on a luxury boat

One of Hawaii's most beautiful and inaccessible landscapes, just inches away from you while sailing on a luxury boat along Kauai's Napali Coast.

Close your eyes and imagine a lost paradise.

White sand beaches, turquoise waters, lush green vegetation…

…got it?

It's very likely that the image in your mind looks a lot like the Napali Coast: a lost paradise on Hawaii's most historic island.

These beaches were the first landing spot for the canoes of the early Polynesians who settled Kauai. By all accounts, a magical place, a new land full of promise.

The terrain of this incredible cliffside makes it inaccessible to road traffic.

So, the only ways to see it are:

By land: on foot, hiking the Kalalau Trail or looking out over it from one of the trails starting at Kokee Road.
By air: flying in a helicopter or small plane.
By sea: sailing the ocean by boat.

Today I'm going to focus on the mid-budget option of the three: enjoying the Napali Coast from the Pacific Ocean.

Pros and cons of seeing the Napali Coast from the sea

Pros

Panoramic perspective: Taking a boat to see this area of Kauai lets you view Napali from a distance and, therefore, take in the full beauty of these cliffs all at once, as if it were a massive natural Sagrada Familia.
Privileged access: Depending on the type of boat, you'll be able to get closer or further from the rock walls and even head inside the sea caves carved by lava tubes thousands of years ago.
Comfort: If your fitness level isn't quite up for a multi-hour hike through muddy trails, this is a great way to take in the Napali Coast without wearing yourself out.
Extra surprises: Whether you book a tour combining sightseeing with snorkeling or just want to enjoy the scenery and the sunset, dolphins might just be the cherry on top of your trip. Or better yet, if your trip coincides with the season, you might even spot humpback whales.

Cons

Large groups: You won't be able to do this activity at your own pace, as passenger numbers on these vessels tend to be high. For those with a bigger budget, there is also the option of chartering a small private boat just for you and your travel companions.
Cost: Prices vary widely, though it will never be as budget-friendly as hiking the Kalalau Trail or admiring the Kalalau Valley from Puu O Kila Lookout.
Seasickness: I've often seen people embarking on these tours end up having a terrible day due to nausea. If you suffer from seasickness, take the necessary precautions or skip this kind of activity.
Weather-dependent: Keep in mind that sea conditions can change dramatically. On certain days, the trip may be canceled due to high swells. Other times, the tour will run, but the sky won't always be as photogenic as you'd like.

Tip #1:
Book your trip for the first few days of your stay on the island.
If your tour gets canceled due to bad weather, you won't miss out completely.
Almost all companies let you reschedule for the next day with available spots.

How to choose a company

There are plenty of options available.

Depending on your goals and preferences, some tours will suit you better than others. Let's look at all the factors to consider when choosing:

Departure port:
- During the summer, when the sea is calmer, many companies operate from Hanalei Bay on the north side of the island. Leaving from here saves nearly 2 hours of boat time, since it's much closer to the Napali Coast. The only downside is that these tours are pricier.
- The port where you'll find the most options is Port Allen in Hanapepe Bay, on the south shore. These operators run year-round and offer competitive rates.
Activities you want to do:
- If you want to snorkel and see some marine life with the Napali Coast as your backdrop, you have plenty of options. These tours start early in the morning and usually include a buffet lunch at midday. Snorkel gear is almost always included.
- If you're excited about physically going inside the caves created by volcanic lava tubes, your best bet is a small zodiac or raft tour. Their size lets them navigate inside easily.
- If you prefer to just enjoy the views, tours that depart around midday and reach the Napali Coast by late afternoon are best for you. It's not possible to watch the actual sunset from right there, as the boat needs about 2 hours to get back before night falls. However, the lighting will be much better than early in the morning. So, if you're a photographer, this is your best pick.

Type of boat:
- If you're looking for adventure and don't get seasick, a day on a zodiac or raft will be way more fun. Just be ready to get wet!
- Whether you're prone to motion sickness or want to shoot great photos, a large boat is the way to go—you'll feel the movement of the sea much less, and your precious camera will stay safer from ocean spray.
Number of passengers:
- Generally, the size of the boat will determine the number of customers on board. So, a large catamaran will carry more tourists, but it won't feel as crowded.
- On a speedboat you'll have little room to move around, even though there are fewer people.
Price:
- The more luxurious the boat, or the more famous the company, the higher the cost of the activity will be.
- As I've already mentioned, departing from the south of the island is cheaper, although it makes the trip longer.

Tip #2:
If you've already chosen the company, take advantage of the discount that almost all of them offer when booking online. You'll save a little bit of cash.

Our adventure with Captain Andy’s

Here's the summary video of our adventure:

Why we chose the Star Class Dinner Sunset Sail tour

The factors we took into account were:

Our main goal. The purpose of the excursion was to admire the grandeur of the Napali Coast from the sea and take photos in good light.
Time of year. In November 2016 there were no routes operating from the north of the island, so we limited ourselves to deals departing from the south.
Weather conditions. Surfing in Hawaii is world-famous, and for good reason. In the low season, the sea tends to be very rough. During our stay, for example, entering caves by speedboat was not feasible. Plus, on a large boat, you'd feel the waves less.
Extra activities. In Kauai you have access to great snorkeling spots right from the beach. Being experienced divers, we don't need a professional to guide us. Therefore, we decided to focus on what really mattered to us on this tour: spending as much time as possible admiring the Napali Coast.
Personal space. To get the best photo conditions within our reach, it was important to find a boat that wasn't too crowded and where we could move around freely.
Customer reviews. There are plenty of companies with good reviews. Of the ones departing from the south, Captain Andy’s and Holo Holo Charters caught my eye. In case of bad weather, both companies offered a date change or a refund. In addition, they offered a discount for booking online.

And in the end… we treated ourselves and chose the Star Class Dinner Sunset Sail, by Captain Andy’s, for $139/person.

Our journey aboard the Southern Lights

Our first booking was canceled due to bad weather. At first, they offered us an alternative route along the south of the island with dinner at sunset. Don't be fooled!

As you can see on their website, this tour is much cheaper, and there's a reason for that. You won't even get a glimpse of the Napali Coast! If you can't delay your trip, it's better to get your money back and then decide if you want to book that other tour or not.

They gave us a slot for two days later. I recommend calling mid-morning on the day of the trip to check if the departure is confirmed or not. That way you won't make the trip to Port Allen for nothing.

Tip #3:
To avoid getting seasick during the trip:
– Try not to use the boat's restroom. You'll find one next to the office, open 24/7.
– Stay outside the whole time, keeping the coast in sight.
– Don't overdo the alcohol during dinner.
You know yourself best: if needed, take some motion sickness medication before departing.

You need to arrive at the offices by 1:45 PM. You can park your car in an open lot to the left of the building. I've marked it on the map. You won't see a Captain Andy’s sign, but don't worry. That's the parking area for customers of all the companies operating in the port.

At 2:00 PM the captain shows up, guides you to your boat, and the adventure begins.

Both the Southern and Northern Lights are spacious, luxury catamarans.
Everything you consume, including alcoholic beverages, is included in the tour price.
You must take off your shoes to board, unless you have a foot condition.
The crew is very attentive and friendly. Before setting sail, they give you basic safety instructions to make your trip safe and enjoyable.
It takes about two and a half hours to reach the Napali Coast. On the map at the bottom of the page, I've marked the boat's route and the approximate point they reach.
On the way there, they treat you to a small appetizer and a non-alcoholic drink (to lower the risk of nausea).
It's common to spot dolphins during the first part of the trip. We spent quite a while creating wakes with the catamaran's movement to watch them jump and surf in them. It was wonderful.
According to reviews from other customers, it's sometimes possible to spot humpback whales, although that wasn't the case for us.

About two hours into the trip, we reached the most spectacular part of the Napali Coast. The boat approached the cliffs and took us just a few meters away while cruising slowly. At the same time, the captain told us all about the formation of the island and its first inhabitants.
When we reached the Kalalau Valley at 5:00 PM, the sightseeing part came to an end. We moved away from the coast and started heading back at a higher speed. That's when you can enjoy a full panoramic view of Kalalau Valley and the surrounding mountains.
During the return trip, dinner is served. In our case, it consisted of a salad starter (chicken or garden), followed by a freshly cooked main course of beef tenderloin, shrimp, and grilled vegetables. You can pair it with all the drinks you want, but I recommend not going overboard with the alcohol so nausea doesn't ruin your day. And for dessert, homemade cheesecake. I must say, that steak was the most tender and juicy meat I've eaten in a long time.
The only downside: the outdoor seating space for dinner on the boat is a bit tight for the number of people on board. In my opinion, if they allowed 4 or 5 fewer people on each trip, that would solve it. Either way, everyone managed to eat seated.
We saw a gorgeous sunset, although by then, we were already close to Port Allen.
We arrived at the port at 6:30 PM, after dark.

In summary

Sunset on the way back from the Napali coast aboard Captain Andy's

Even though the sea was quite rough, the sailing was very smooth. And part of the credit goes to the size of the catamaran.

We had spectacular views of Napali Coast. However, if I had to be picky, I would have loved to spend more time admiring the Kalalau Valley or even go further up the coast.

The price difference between this and other tours is mainly due to the quality of the dinner. And I can confirm it was delicious. It was worth it.

What to bring

If you're going on a trip like ours, with no water sports included, all you'll need is:

Sunscreen and sunglasses. If you want to wear a hat, make sure it's secured well or it'll blow away.
Shorts or a skirt that doesn't drag on the floor. It'll make it easier to move around the boat. If they're made of a lightweight fabric, even better. That way, if a wave splashes you, the breeze will dry you off before night falls.
A windbreaker jacket for when the sun goes down.
A camera or video kit that isn't too heavy. With the boat's motion, a tripod won't do you any good.
The fewer bags or items you carry with you, the better for your freedom of movement on deck.

If you're going to include snorkeling in the adventure, also add to the list:

Swimsuit.
A change of clothes or a spare swimsuit, so you don't do the return trip wet.
Waterproof protection for your camera gear.

You're all set. Now… enjoy!

Want to check out other ways to get close to these one-of-a-kind cliffs? Take a look at the Kalalau Trail or drive along the winding Koke'e Road right into the heart of Waimea Canyon. You can also go all out on an adventure by soaring over the island in a doors-off helicopter.

The Napali Coast will never cease to amaze you.

And if you want more info about Kauai, here are the rest of the articles about our adventure on the island:

Want to explore another Hawaiian island? Check out our experience in Maui:

And remember, if you need more information about this or any other destination, feel free to leave a comment below. I'll be more than happy to help you with anything I can.