Ride a Zodiac under 4,000-foot cliffs, slip into sea caves and snorkel with dolphins nearby.
Every bookable raft and catamaran compared, with where they really leave from and when the caves are open.
Harbor update after Hurricane Lowell: the state still lists the Kikiaola and Port Allen small boat harbors as closed until further notice, although some Na Pali operators report departures running again since late September. Confirm your departure with the operator before you drive; every tour here cancels free up to 24 hours before. State harbor noticesChecked October 1, 2026
Where it really leaves fromHarbor, check-in and drive time spelled out
Real guest ratingsLive Viator & Tripadvisor figures
Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before, on every tour here
Secure checkout on ViatorMobile ticket, instant confirmation
Tours
Choose your Na Pali sea cave tour
The Na Pali Riders sea caves raft and snorkel expedition in the centre, from the harbor closest to
the cliffs. Beside it, the lowest-priced big raft and the catamaran that most travelers rate highest.
A 37-foot Naiad raft with a restroom on board, the major sea caves including Open Ceiling Cave when it is safe, and a snorkel stop. The lowest price of the raft tours here.
What's included
Sightseeing along the 17-mile Na Pali Coast in a 37-foot Naiad raft
Sea caves when conditions allow, including Open Ceiling Cave
Snorkel session with gear (conditions permitting)
Snacks, bottled water and cold drinks; restroom on board
Not included: hotel pickup, gratuities; minimum age 6
Na Pali Riders' 30-foot Zodiac runs the cliffs, slips into sea caves when the swell allows and stops to snorkel. The closest harbor to the coast, so less time in transit.
What's included
Guided Zodiac raft tour along the Na Pali Coast, sea caves when conditions allow
Snorkel stop with mask, snorkel and fins (conditions permitting)
Fruit, chips, juice, water and Gatorade; dry bag; optional life jackets
Dolphin watching; humpback whales December to April
Not included: hotel pickup, harbor parking ($20 + tax), towels, sunscreen, tips, photo package
A family-owned catamaran with a Hawaiian guide, snorkelling or whales by season, lunch and a smoother ride than a raft. The most reviewed boat tour here.
What's included
Shared catamaran trip along the Na Pali Coast, sea caves when conditions allow
Snorkel gear in season; whale watching in winter
Sandwich lunch, snacks, water and soft drinks
Restroom on board; all fees, taxes and fuel surcharge
Every tour here sails the same coast. What differs is the boat (a bouncy raft that fits into
caves, or a steadier catamaran), the harbor you drive to, and how long you are out.
Tour
Leaves from
Best for
Length
Rating
From
Na Pali Sea Caves Raft & Snorkel Expedition
Kikiaola Harbor, Waimea (west Kauai)
Sea caves and a snorkel stop, shortest run to the cliffs
Children 5 to 12 pay a lower rate on the Na Pali Riders tours; minimum ages are 5 (Na Pali
Riders, Holo Holo), 6 (Captain J's) and 7 (Kauai Sea Tours rafts). No tour here includes hotel pickup except the
helicopter. Every tour cancels free up to 24 hours ahead.
Where it really happens
No road reaches this coast: the sea is the way in.
The Na Pali Coast runs about 17 miles along Kauai's northwest shore, where green fluted cliffs rise some
4,000 feet straight out of the Pacific. There is no road along it. Beyond a hard hiking trail, the state
parks service says the only legal way to reach its shore is by boat, and the boats that can go furthest
into it are small rafts: they fit into lava sea caves such as Open Ceiling Cave, where sunlight falls
through the roof, and the double-entrance Waiahuakua cave with a waterfall pouring through its ceiling.
Two things surprise first-timers. The tours do not leave from the North Shore, even though the coast
starts there: they launch from the west and south sides, at Kikiaola Harbor near Waimea or Port Allen in
Eleele, so from Princeville you face a two-hour drive. And cave entry is never promised: the captain
decides on the day, summer is the calm season, and winter swell often keeps rafts outside.
4,000 ft
The height of the cliffs above the caves. Morning
departures, from about 6:30 AM, get the calmest water and the best light on them.
Open Ceiling CaveWaiahuakuaHonopu ArchNualolo Kai
The cliffs of Na Pali drop straight into the sea; the caves sit at the waterline.
01
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You check in at the operator's office or harbor and drive yourself; harbor parking costs about $20.
02
Will we enter the caves?
Likely in calm summer seas on a raft, never guaranteed. Catamarans view them from outside.
03
How rough is it?
Very, on a raft: fast, bouncy and wet. Not for pregnancy, bad backs or necks.
04
Who might skip it?
Anyone prone to bad seasickness. A catamaran or a helicopter flight is the gentler way.
The morning
How a sea caves raft trip unfolds
About four hours on the water with Na Pali Riders, plus check-in. This is the morning run most guests recommend.
01
Check in at Waimea
Arrive at the Na Pali Riders office with waivers signed, then drive yourself to Kikiaola Harbor.
45 min before
02
Run up the coast
The Zodiac heads north past Polihale to the cliffs, often with spinner dolphins alongside.
From 6:30 or 7 AM
03
Into the caves
If the swell allows, the captain noses into the sea caves and under waterfalls.
Mid-morning
04
Snorkel and snack
A snorkel stop on a sheltered reef, then fruit and chips on the ride back to the harbor.
Getting there, tickets and ages, the rules and what to bring: one tab each.
Na Pali Riders: check in at 9600 Kaumuali'i Highway, Waimea, 45 minutes before departure, then drive to Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor.
Port Allen tours (Captain J's, Kauai Sea Tours, Holo Holo, Makana) meet in Eleele on the south shore.
Allow about 45 minutes from Poipu and about 2 hours from Princeville or Hanalei.
Parking at Kikiaola is about $20 plus tax per car for 8 hours, paid at the harbor.
No hotel pickup on any boat tour here: you need a car or a taxi.
Na Pali Riders: adults are 13 and over; children 5 to 12 pay a child rate; under-5s cannot join.
Captain J's takes children from 6, Kauai Sea Tours rafts from 7, Holo Holo from 5.
The 3-hour caves-only raft runs in summer only (mid-May to late September); the 4-hour snorkel trip runs year round.
An optional photo package (150 to 500 photos and videos) is sold on the Na Pali Riders tour.
No pregnant guests, and nobody with back or neck problems, heart conditions or recent surgery, on the rafts.
Non-swimmers may ride but not snorkel; snorkelers climb a ladder back aboard.
Miss the safety briefing and you miss the tour: late check-ins are not refunded.
Cave entry and the snorkel stop happen only if the captain judges conditions safe.
Swimsuit under quick-dry clothes and a light layer for the wind.
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat with a strap and sunglasses with a retainer.
A towel (not supplied) and a dry change of clothes for the drive back.
Seasickness tablets taken before you board, if you need them.
Cash for the crew tip and harbor parking.
Usually seenSpinner dolphinsPods often ride alongside the raft on the run up the coast.
Summer bestOpen Ceiling CaveSunlight through a hole in the roof turns the water electric blue.
Conditions allowingWaiahuakua caveA long cave with two entrances and a waterfall through its ceiling.
From the waterHonopu ArchA natural rock arch about 90 feet tall on a beach no road reaches.
December to AprilHumpback whalesWinter trips trade calmer caves for whale sightings.
Permit onlyNualolo Kai landingOne Kauai Sea Tours raft lands at this ancient fishing village.
Where the day starts
Waimea and Kikiaola Harbor
Na Pali Riders, Waimea
9600 Kaumuali'i Highway, Waimea, HI 96796
Check in at the Na Pali Riders office in Waimea town 45 minutes before your departure, with your waivers
already signed. After the briefing you drive your own car a few minutes west to Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor
and board there. It is the closest harbor to the Na Pali cliffs, so more of your four hours is spent on the
coast rather than getting to it. Coming from the North Shore, leave about two hours.
4.9★★★★★ 957 reviews · Na Pali sea caves raft & snorkel live Viator & Tripadvisor figure
★★★★★
The most amazing experience! We went through a beautiful cave, saw amazing views, dolphins, and snorkeled!! Was extremely thrilling on raft with huge wave bumps and max speed!
★★★★★
This excursion is an awesome way to experience the Napali coast, sea caves and to see one of the 12 wonders of the world! The entire trip lasts 4 hours and includes some snorkeling time. Snacks and drinks were provided also!
★★★★★
Boys loved the adventure as much as adults! It was a beautiful day, incredible views of caves and coastline. We even saw dolphins on the way back! A rough ride in the waters but super fun adventure!
★★★★★
What an awesome adventure. We traveled with family and friends and the kids ranged from 8-12. We were able to see the coast and caves while enjoying a very fast boat ride!
★★★★★
The raft is a rough ride but that is part of the fun. It's comparable to white water rafting but more controlled. The views of the Napali coast are breathtaking and the sea caves are a bucket list must see.
★★★★★
Not for the faint of heart so if you're a thrill seeker this is a must do. We saw dolphins, sea turtles, beautiful fish, waterfalls and breathtaking landscapes. Our guides were very knowledgeable and welcoming.
★★★★★
Our favorite excursion we did on vacation! Captain Mak and Tom were awesome and taught us about the history and geology of the area. Would 110% recommend if you are looking for an adventure.
★★★★★
Even though it was a bumpy and definitely adventurous ride, I never felt unsafe throughout the tour. The views of the Na Pali coast, the waterfalls, and the caves were breathtaking!
★★★★★
Very fun adventurous ride! Be ready to get wet! Saw many dolphins. Our boat driver was an expert at navigating the caves. A true Jurassic Park experience.
Not a boat person?
See the cliffs from the air
No spray, no bouncing and no seasickness: a helicopter shows you the whole coast, Waimea Canyon and
the waterfalls in under an hour.
Kauai Helicopter Tour: Na Pali, Waimea Canyon & Waterfalls
★ 4.8 · 963 reviews · 55 minutes
If the sea is not for you, or the swell keeps the boats in harbor, see the coast from above. Safari Helicopters flies a 55-minute loop over the Na Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon and the waterfalls of Mount Waialeale, with fees and taxes included. No bouncing, no spray and no seasickness, but no sea caves either.
The Na Pali Coast is the postcard of Kauai, and the sea caves at the foot of its cliffs are the
part most visitors never see. Here is how the boat tours reach them, what the ride is really like, and how to
choose between a raft and a catamaran.
Why a boat, and why a small one
Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park covers the roadless stretch of Kauai's northwest shore: sheer ridged
cliffs, hanging valleys such as Kalalau and Honopu, waterfalls and lava sea caves cut by the waves. Hikers can
walk the first miles of the Kalalau Trail from the north, but the coast as a whole is seen best from the sea.
Large catamarans give you the panorama in comfort. The rafts, rigid-hull inflatables such as the 30-foot
Zodiac used by Na Pali Riders or Captain J's 37-foot Naiad, add the close-up: they slip under waterfalls and
into the caves when the swell allows.
Only the smaller boats can enter the caves, and only on calm days.
What it really costs
On Viator in 2026 the Na Pali Riders sea caves and snorkel expedition is from $255 per adult for four hours.
The operator advertises the same trip from $199 on its own website, so the gap is real: the Viator price adds
free cancellation up to 24 hours before, which matters on a coast where the sea can cancel your plans. Other
rafts run from $215 (Captain J's) to $277 (the Nualolo Kai beach landing), and catamarans from $227. On top,
budget about $20 for harbor parking at Kikiaola, a tip for the crew and the optional photo package.
The honest small print: nobody can promise you the caves. The captain decides on the
day, summer is the calm season, and in winter swell many trips stay outside the caves or skip the snorkel.
Book a morning departure early in your trip, so a cancelled or rough day can be moved.
Raft or catamaran?
Choose the raft for the caves, the speed and the feeling of being in the scenery rather than looking at it;
reviewers compare it to white-water rafting. It is wet, bumpy and loud, with no shade and, on most rafts, no
restroom. Choose a catamaran such as Makana Charters' for shade, a toilet, lunch and a gentler motion, or if
anyone in your group is pregnant, has a bad back or is very young. Both stop to snorkel when conditions allow,
and both see spinner dolphins on most mornings.
The snorkel stop is on a sheltered reef; sea turtles are a regular sight.
Making the most of the morning
Take the first departure, sign your waivers before you leave home, and give yourself the full drive time:
about two hours from the North Shore to Waimea. Wear a swimsuit under quick-dry clothes, bring a towel and
reef-safe sunscreen, take any seasickness medicine before you board, and sit towards the back if you want a
softer ride. Then hold on: the best part is the moment the raft slides out of the sun into the cave.
Rash guard, towel, reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag: the raft kit.
Straight answers to what visitors ask most about the Na Pali Coast sea caves tours.
Do Na Pali Coast boat tours go into the sea caves?
Only the smaller boats, and only when the sea allows. Rafts like the Na Pali Riders Zodiac and Captain J's Super Raft enter caves such as Open Ceiling Cave when the captain judges it safe, which is most likely in the calm summer months. Big catamarans view the caves from outside. Treat cave entry as likely in summer, never guaranteed. See the sea caves guide.
How much is a Na Pali Coast raft tour?
On Viator in 2026, the raft tours listed here run from $215 (Captain J's, 4.5 hours) to $277 (the Nualolo Kai beach landing). The Na Pali Riders sea caves and snorkel expedition is from $255. Na Pali Riders advertises the same 4-hour trip from $199 on its own site; Viator's price is higher but adds free cancellation up to 24 hours before. See the price guide.
Where do Na Pali Coast boat tours leave from?
From the west and south sides of Kauai, not the North Shore. Na Pali Riders checks in at its office in Waimea and launches from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor, the closest harbor to the coast; most catamarans and several rafts leave Port Allen in Eleele. From Princeville or Hanalei, allow about two hours to drive to Waimea.
Is the Na Pali raft tour rough?
Yes. A Zodiac is fast, bouncy and wet, and reviewers call it "a wild and rough ride". Operators do not take pregnant guests or anyone with back or neck problems, and some guests get seasick. If that worries you, take a morning tour, when the sea is usually calmer, or choose a catamaran. Read how rough the raft really is.
Raft or catamaran: which is better for the Na Pali Coast?
A raft if you want the sea caves, the speed and a closer look at the cliffs. A catamaran if you want shade, a restroom, lunch and a gentler ride, or if you are bringing young children, someone pregnant or anyone with a bad back. Compare them in raft vs catamaran.
What is the best time of year for a Na Pali boat tour?
Late spring to early autumn (roughly May to September) brings the calmest seas and the best chance of entering the caves. Winter (December to April) brings humpback whales but bigger swell, so cave entries and snorkel stops are more often skipped. Morning departures are calmer year round. See the best time guide.
How long is the Na Pali sea caves raft and snorkel tour?
About four hours on the water. Add 45 minutes for check-in at the Na Pali Riders office in Waimea, where you sign waivers before driving yourself to Kikiaola Harbor, and the drive from your hotel.
Can kids go on a Na Pali raft tour?
Yes, from age 5 with Na Pali Riders (children 5 to 12 pay a child rate). Captain J's takes children from 6 and the Kauai Sea Tours rafts from 7. Children must be with an adult, and the ride is bumpy, so judge your own children's comfort with waves and spray.
Do you need to be able to swim?
Not for the boat ride: life jackets are provided. Non-swimmers may not snorkel on the Na Pali Riders tour, and snorkel stops always depend on conditions. Snorkelers climb a ladder back on board.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. None of the Na Pali boat tours here include hotel pickup. On the Na Pali Riders tour you check in at their Waimea office, then drive your own car to Kikiaola Harbor and pay about $20 plus tax to park.
What happens if the tour is cancelled for weather?
The operator decides on the day. If conditions are unsafe, Na Pali Riders offers a new date or a full refund, and you can cancel any tour on this page for free up to 24 hours before. Book early in your trip so you have days left to rebook.
Are the Na Pali boat tours running after Hurricane Lowell?
Partly. In early September 2026 Hurricane Lowell damaged Kauai's small boat harbors, and the state still lists Kikiaola and Port Allen small boat harbors as closed until further notice. Some operators report tours running again since late September. Confirm your departure with the operator; cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.
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