7 BEST Napali Coast Boat Tours (Firsthand Experience)

There truly is no place on earth like Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast (Napali Coast). Witnessing this rugged 17-mile-long stretch of mountainous coastline should be on everyone’s bucket list — and one of the best ways to do it is by taking a boat tour!

But most visitors don’t realize how many Napali Coast boat tour there are to choose from, and just how different your experience will be based on what tour you book.

You could end up on a blow-up raft flying through sea caves and holding on for dear life (sounds fun for some people and a nightmare for others!) Or you could enjoy a delicious dinner as you cruise along the coast in a luxury catamaran. And there are more options — Napali Coast tours with snorkeling, combo tours that include a visit to a nearby inhabited Hawaiian island, and boat tours that actually land on the Napali Coast so you can explore up close.

I recently went on a magical Napali Coast boat ride but before I did, I researched all the options to figure out the best tour for me. In this article I’ve simplified everything I’ve learned about the best Napali Coast boat tours so you can easily book the best experience for your Kauai vacation.

Best Kauai Napali Coast Boat Tours: Options for Everyone!

Browse through all of these Kauai Napali Coast boat tours because they are each different! But first, here are a few tips to help you choose:

☀️ Day tours vs sunset cruises: You’ll have a better chance of seeing wildlife if you go on a day tour of the Naplali Coast, and the sea conditions tend to be calmer. However, the the light cast on the Napali Coast in the evening is perfect taking photos!

⛵️ Catamaran vs zodiac tours: Most Napali Coast tours are either on a catamaran or zodiac raft. You’ll experience a smoother ride, and overall more comfortable tour on a catamaran, but zodiac raft tours are most adventurous and give you the chance to explore inside sea caves.

Also Consider: Napali Coast Helicopter Tour

1. Napali Coast Snorkeling & Sightseeing Catamaran

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This 6-hour Napali Coast catamaran tour includes snorkeling and the chance to see whales (Dec-April), spinner dolphins, green sea turtles, and other marine life. It’s a great option for anyone who wants to see wildlife, snorkel, and enjoy the Napali coastline from a luxurious catamaran.

The tour departs from Port Allen in the morning and includes a continent breakfast, gourmet lunch, snorkel equipment (and instruction if needed!), plus wine and beer to enjoy on your way back.

2. Napali Coast Zodiac Raft Tour (Most Adventurous)

3. Napali Coast Sunset Cruise with Dinner (Best for Photography)

4. Napali & Ni’ihau Combo Tour (Most Unique & Best Snorkeling)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 300+ 5 star reviews. Read reviews.

This Kauai catamaran tour includes both a scenic cruise along the Napali Coast and a journey to Ni’ihau (called the Forbidden Island). You’ll get a look at Niihau, an island very few people ever see, which is illegal to visit but is inhabited by a small group of native Hawaiians. You’ll also see Lehua Crater, a picturequse crescent-shaped crater that is a Hawaii State Wildlife Sanctuary.

Then you’ll get to enjoy some of the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii with crystal clear water, unique underwater formations, and vibrant sea life. You’ll have the chance to see monk seals, manta rays, tropical fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and maybe even whales, depending on the season.

This adventurous full day tour includes all the snorkel gear you need, plus a delicious breakfast and lunch, along with drinks. The captain and staff go above and beyond, and will tell you all about the history of each place you see.

5. Napali Coast Private Charter

If you’re traveling with a group, it might actually make sense to get your own private charter for a day of exploring the Napali Coast. This company has been operating on the Napali Coast for 34 years and they offer private charters in their 40 foot power catamaran for up to 22 people.

The private charter includes the captain and crew, snorkel equipment for everyone, and a delicious lunch. You’ll get the chance to learn about the history of the Hawaiians who lived along the Napali Coast, and stop at waterfalls and sea caves along the way. You’ll also get to snorkel and see marine life such as pods of dolphins, whales (seasonally), sea turtles, and more.

6. Nu’alolo Kai Beach Landing Raft Adventure

This is another great Napali Coast raft tour, but with a unique twist — you get to land on a secluded beach that few people ever get to visit on the Napali Coast. Nualolo Kai beach is an ancient Hawaiian fishing village that can only be visited with a special permit and is only accessible by boat.

In addition to getting a guided tour of the archaeological remains at Nualolo Kai beach, you’ll also get to snorkel in the calm protected waters near the beach. As with other raft tours on the Napali Coast, you’ll be in for a wild ride of cruising through sea caves and bumping along the waves. It’s a rewarding tour if you’re up for the adventure!

7. Napali Coast Tour from Hanalei

Almost every single Kauai Napali Coast boat tour leaves from the southern part of the island, near Waimea Canyon. However, there are a few options if you prefer to depart from the North Shore near Hanalei and Princeville: Na Pali Coast Hanalei Tours and Na Pali Catamaran.

Is it better to take a Napali Coast tour from Hanalei or southern Kauai (Port Allen, etc)?

You can experience the rugged beauty of the Napali Coast from either port, there are simply far more tour operators to choose from on the southern part of Kauai. It’s also worth mentioning that there a loading dock in Hanalei Bay, so you have to climb into the boat from the water rather than walk across a bridge onto the boat the way you do when departing from Port Allen. That said, Hanalei is closer to the beginning of the Napali Coast compared to Port Allen, so you spend less time getting to the coast and have more time to enjoy it.

Even though I stayed in Princeville on my recent trip to Kauai, I chose to do a Napali Coast tour that departed from Port Allen because it was the tour that most interested me! I didn’t mind driving extra because I wanted to explore Kauai anyhow.

Kauai Napali Coast Boat Tour FAQs

Is the Napali Coast worth visiting?

1,000% YES! The Napali Coast is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the planet with 4,000-foot cliffs, waterfalls cascading into the ocean, and hidden sea caves just waiting to be explored. If you visit Kauai, you HAVE to see the Napali Coast, it is not worth making the journey all the way to this island if you don’t see its most beautiful site!

Is it better to do a Kauai boat tour, helicopter tour, or hike on the Napali Coast?

All three are excellent options, honestly! In fact, I recommend you do more than one during your Kauai vacation because the Napali Coast is just that special.

If I had to choose one, I’d say go on a helicopter tour of the Napali Coast because it’s the most time efficient and rewarding way to see the coast. This is the Napali helicopter tour I always recommend to friends and family, but I know flying in a helicopter isn’t for everyone.

If you’re interested in hiking, check out the Kalalau Trail, which is possibly the most beautiful hike in Hawaii. You need to make a reservation in advance but it’s well worth it! And yep, the trail is ~11 miles long, but most people only hike the first few miles, which is well worth it in my opinion.

And of course going on a boat tour of the Napali coast is also incredible, as you’ll see in this article there are tons of different types of boat tours to choose from, for every type of traveler.

Is there a 2 hour Napali Coast tour?

Most of Kauai’s Napali Coast boat tours are 4 hours or longer because it take a while to get to the Napali Coast from the port, most tours include snorkeling or a narrated tour of the coast. If you’re short on time, I recommend booking this Napali Coast sunset tour (the one I did!) which lasts 4 hours in the late afternoon so you have the whole morning free to explore Kauai.