How to Choose the Best Na Pali Boat Tour (& Napali Sunset Cruise Review)
I visited Kauai in early January 2022 and one of my favourite activities was the Napali sunset cruise. Not only did the Na Pali sunset cruise provide some of the best photo opportunities on Kauai, but it was also a fun experience.
Seeing the Na Pali Coast was a priority of mine when visiting Kauai, amongst many other exceptional activities on the island.
When doing my own research for Kauai boat tours, I had several questions I wanted answering before booking one of the cruises. Now that I have been on a Napali Coast sunset dinner cruise, I have plenty of information to share.
You will learn about the types of boats, how the time of day can affect your experience, and the differences between the departure points.
I also give my review on the best Napali sunset cruise.
How to Choose a Na Pali Boat Tour in Kauai?
There are so many different options for seeing the Na Pali Coast, it can be hard to choose which one. Your choice of Kauai boat tours will depend on different priorities, for example, seasickness, photography, snorkelling, wildlife, and meals.
For the true adrenaline fans, you may consider booking a Na Pali Coast rafting tour, where there may be the option to snorkel.
Whatever boat excursion you choose, a boat ride to the Na Pali cliffs will always be on my 3 day or 10 day itinerary for Kauai.
If you are looking for other water-based adventures in Kauai, you will love the kayaking and hiking adventure to Secret Falls.
Time of The Day
Most boat tour companies offer a morning tour that includes snorkelling, a light breakfast, and lunch. They also may sell a Napali coast sunset cruise with a BBQ dinner.
Na Pali Coast boat tours usually last around 4 to 7 hours, with the morning excursions typically lasting longer than the sunset cruises.
You may be lucky enough to see dolphins all year round, but mornings tend to be the better time of day to see dolphins. Mornings also typically see calmer seas.
Alternatively, the lighting to photograph the Na Pali Coast tends to be better in the afternoon. So, you should pick your priorities.
Combining a morning exploring Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park with a Na Pali sunset dinner cruise would be a great way to get to know the island of Kauai.
Where do Na Pali Coast tours leave from?
Something important to note when booking your Na Pali Coast boat tour is that tours depart from different locations even though they are going to the same place.
Boat rides to Na Pali Coast only depart from Port Allen in Eleele in winter – where the season typically goes from mid-September to mid-May.
Tours depart from the North Shore and West/Southwest Kauai in summer. Plus, in the summer or during calm conditions, you have the option to snorkel and visit caves along the coast.
Some companies offer sunset snorkel tours, but this is rare in winter.
The waters are too rough to depart from the North in the winter so they depart further down the coast.
To get to Port Allen, it is a long drive from the North Shore of Kauai because you must drive around the whole island. There is no road directly from the North to the West of Kauai.
You need a rental car while on Kauai because public transport is limited and you cannot rely on Uber. Book a discounted Hawaii rental car here.
Consider the location of your accommodation on Kauai when booking a Na Pali coast tour in winter. You should either schedule your boat tour while on the South Shore or be willing to make the long drive over.
If you are booking a tour from Eleele, such as Capt’ Andy’s, staying in Poipu is an excellent option. I recommend Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort, which is where we stayed, as it is a convenient drive to the departure point.
Learn about my opinion of staying at Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Flexibility When Booking a Na Pali Boat Tour
You should book your Na Pali Coast boat tour during the beginning of your trip in the event it is rescheduled due to bad weather. In winter, this is a common occurrence.
My original boat tour was booked for early in my trip in January 2022, but it was cancelled due to the torrential rain and storm surge we were experiencing. However, we were able to go a few days later and the sea conditions were perfect, and we had incredible weather.
A benefit of a winter Na Pali Coast boat tour is that you may see Humpback Whales. We saw several whales during our sunset sail, and it was incredible.
You can learn more about how to decide how long to stay in Kauai in my guide here and the best time to visit Kauai here.
How long is the Na Pali Coast boat tour?
Depending on the type of Na Pali Coast boat tour you select, the duration of a morning for full-day Na Pali Coast boat tour can range from 4 to 7.5 hours. The tours lasting 7 + hours include a visit to Niihau.
A Na Pali sunset dinner cruise typically lasts 4 hours.
Which Boat is Best For a Na Pali Coast Tour?
Hopefully, the above sections have helped you decide which type of Napali Coast tour is right for you, out of morning and evening, and winter and summer.
Once you have made this choice, you need to decide on the type of boat. There are boats such as zodiacs/rafts and varying sizes of catamarans.
I chose the Star Dinner Sunset Sail with Capt Andy’s, which uses a 65′ luxury catamaran. The benefit of a large catamaran is that it does not feel the bumps of the waves as much as a raft does. Additionally, there is more space to spread out around the boat, so it is not too cramped.
I chose not to do the Na Pali snorkel tour because I wanted to go on an afternoon tour that would offer optimal light to view and photograph the coast. As I mentioned, the morning tours are those that offer the snorkelling.
Read on to learn more about the Napali sunset cruise and my review of Capt Andy’s Kauai boat tours.
Napali Sunset Cruise Review
As I mentioned previously, I went on Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Dinner Cruise (Star), and it was an incredible experience. The Na Pali sunset tour was well organised and the crew were faultless.
As we set off on our way towards the Na Pali Coast the crew started serving beverages, such as wine, Sneaky Tikis (similar to Mai Tais) and soft drinks.
On this Na Pali Coast sunset cruise, you will enjoy the views of Niihau, another Hawaiian island, as you leave the port and head up the coast.
Along the way, you pass Polihale State Park, which is a beach only accessed by 4x4s on a remote dirt road. Therefore, the boat ride provides a unique opportunity to see Polihale Beach that is normally difficult to access.
There was plenty of space on the catamaran for those who wanted to sit at the calmer back of the boat and for those who did not mind the bumps and getting wet at the front.
Upon approaching the Na Pali Coast on this Kauai sunset sail, the captain will tell stories of the area so you can learn about movies filmed there and the coast’s history.
This point in the journey is the moment to get your cameras out as you pass closely by the Na Pali Coast and then on the way back you may get a panoramic view.
The scenery is unlike anything you will have ever witnessed and certainly something you will remember for years to come. The jagged rocks frame the white sand beaches at the foot of its lush valley.
As you leave the Na Pali Coast behind, dinner is served and the sun will begin to set. The view of the sunset around Kauai is stunning from the boat because there is nothing for miles around, except for Niihau Island and Kauai’s impressive coastline.
The boat will dock shortly after sunset and that is the end of your Kauai sunset cruise to the Na Pali Coast.
From my experience, Captain Andy’s sunset cruise is one of the best Na Pali Coast boat tours you can book. I highly recommend the Na Pali Coast sunset dinner cruise with Captain Andy’s.
Advice for Napali Coast Boat Tour
Make sure you have a few backup dates during your stay in Kauai where you could reschedule your Na Pali sunset cruise, or other Kauai catamaran tours, in case of cancellation. It was one of the highlights of my holiday and I would have been upset to miss out.
In regards to seasickness, we all took a Bonine motion sickness tablet an hour before our boat tour. As a result, no one in my group of 5 felt seasick. Although, we were extremely lucky to have relatively calm seas on our Na Pali sunset boat cruise.
The weather was so bad in the first few days of our trip causing our initial Captain Andy’s Napali sunset dinner cruise to be cancelled. Luckily, Capt Andy’s allows you to reschedule free of charge and book on another Na Pali catamaran ride or raft excursion with them.
A great place to stop for lunch before a sunset boat cruise is Porky’s. This Kauai restaurant is close to Port Allen for winter departures and serves tasty food, quickly.
You may still be hungry after a sunset dinner cruise since the food offering is late. Therefore, you may wish to head to one of the restaurants in Poipu for some more food.
Consider restuarants, such as Brennecke’s Beach Broiler or Stevenson’s Library, or grab a quick snack from Puka Dog or Bubba Burgers.
How to see the Napali Coast?
There are several ways of seeing the Na Pali Coast in Kauai:
1. Na Pali Coast boat tour
2. Hike along Kalalau Trail
3. Kauai helicopter tour
4. Na Pali Coast lookout points (Kokee State Park)
You can learn more about these in detail in my guide to the best activities in Kauai.
Can you see the Na Pali Coast by car?
Some of the most popular ways of seeing the Na Pali Coast involve being in the sky, the sea, or on foot. However, it is possible to see parts of the Na Pali Coast by car.
You can drive to Kokee State Park to see the Na Pali Coast from the lookout points. It is also possible to drive to Haena and Ke’e Beach and view the Nepali Coast from the beach.
If you need a rental car, I suggest booking with Discount Hawaii Rental Cars.
Conclusion
A Na Pali Coast boat tour is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve left Kauai. Whether you choose a morning snorkel or a sunset cruise, it’s the best way to appreciate the island’s dramatic coastline.
I recommend booking your tour early in your trip in case the weather forces you to reschedule, and don’t forget to arrange a rental car — it’s essential for getting around Kauai.
If you’re planning more adventures, the kayaking and hiking tour to Secret Falls is another must-do.
For where to stay, the Grand Hyatt Kauai is my favourite hotel on the island and a convenient base for tours departing from Port Allen. I have written a detailed review about Grand Hyatt Kauai too. If you prefer the North Shore, a VRBO in Princeville is an excellent choice. My guide on where to stay in Kauai breaks down the pros and cons of each area.
If you’re still in the planning stages, don’t miss my article on what you need to know before visiting Kauai, including advice for travelling to Kauai in winter and tips on what to pack.
You can also plan your itinerary using information on the best time of year to visit Kauai and how long to visit for.
I’ve also written detailed guides for spending 3 days in Kauai or a full 10 days in Kauai — both include suggestions for activities, tours, and the best order to fit them in.
For food recommendations, check out where to eat on Kauai, and if the weather turns, I’ve shared plenty of things to do when it rains.
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