Na Pali raft tour prices

How much does a Na Pali raft tour cost in 2026?

Between about $215 and $277 per adult on Viator for a raft, and $227 to $292 for a catamaran.

The table lists every boat tour on this site, cheapest first within each type. Children pay less on most of them.

Why is the price lower on the operator's own website?

Na Pali Riders advertises its 4-hour sea caves and snorkel trip from $199 and the 3-hour caves trip from $179; Viator shows $255 and $235.

The gap is real and we would rather you know it. Booking direct is cheaper. Booking on Viator adds free cancellation up to 24 hours before, one account for all your Kauai bookings and over 950 reviews of this trip in one place. On a coast where swell or a storm can change your plans, flexible cancellation is worth something; whether it is worth the difference is your call.

What does the $255 Na Pali Riders trip include?

About four hours on a 30-foot Zodiac along the coast, sea caves when the captain judges it safe, a snorkel stop with gear, snacks and drinks.

• Guided Zodiac raft tour along the Na Pali Coast
• Snorkelling with mask, snorkel and fins (conditions permitting)
• Sliced pineapple and apples, chips, juice, water and Gatorade
• A dry bag and optional life jackets
• Dolphin watching, and humpback whales December to April

What costs extra on the day?

Harbor parking, the crew tip, towels, sunscreen and the optional photo package; there is no hotel pickup.

At Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor parking is about $20 plus tax per car for eight hours, paid at the harbor. Na Pali Riders sells an optional photo package of 150 to 500 photos and videos of your trip. Tips are not included on any of the boat tours here; crews commonly suggest around 15 to 20 percent. Bring your own towel and reef-safe sunscreen.

Do children pay less?

Yes. On the Na Pali Riders tours, children 5 to 12 pay a child rate and anyone 13 or over pays the adult price.

Under-5s cannot join the Na Pali Riders rafts. Captain J's takes children from 6 and the Kauai Sea Tours rafts from 7. Read how rough the raft is before you book young children.

Watching the budget? Captain J's 37-foot Super Raft is the lowest-priced raft here, with a restroom on board.

★ 4.8 1,724 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $215

Explore Captain J's Super Raft →

Is the 3-hour caves-only raft cheaper?

Slightly: $235 on Viator against $255, because it skips the snorkel stop; it also only runs in summer.

Na Pali Riders runs the 3-hour trip from mid-May to late September, when the sea is calm enough for the caves to be the whole point. Outside those dates the 4-hour trip with snorkelling is the one that runs.

Is a catamaran better value?

Often, if you count lunch: Makana's catamaran at $227 includes a sandwich lunch, a restroom and all fees and fuel surcharges.

The catch is the caves: big catamarans see them from outside, while rafts go in when they can. Holo Holo's sailing catamaran costs more ($292) but adds breakfast, lunch and drinks. See raft vs catamaran.

Is the Na Pali raft tour worth the money?

For most active travelers, yes: it is the only way to get inside the sea caves, and the flagship trip rates 4.9 from 957 reviews.

It is less good value if you dislike bumpy boats, cannot ride for medical reasons, or travel in deep winter, when the caves are often off limits. In that case a catamaran or a helicopter flight gives you the cliffs without the pounding.

Frequently asked questions