5.0★ from 3,600+ reviews on TripAdvisor
NA PALI COAST AFTERNOON ADVENTURE
Boat & Sail, Snorkel
Golden light, sea caves, and a splash of thrill — this afternoon adventure takes you along the Nā Pali Coast at its most dramatic, with snorkeling, wildlife, and a ride that’s anything but ordinary.
$219
Kauai
Kekaha
Verified Review
Skip the lines and crowds and board straight from Hanalei Bay for a high-energy ride along the Nā Pali Coast — an afternoon trip timed for golden light and unforgettable views. This isn’t your mellow sailboat cruise: your purpose-built vessel threads sea caves (if ocean conditions allow), skirts under 4,000-foot cliffs, and stops to snorkel in calm coves when the weather cooperates. Along the way, keep an eye out for spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and crashing waterfalls — with just the right mix of splash, speed, and scenery.
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5.0★ from 3,600+ reviews on TripAdvisor
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Snorkeling and Sailing the Nā Pali, the Right Way
The first thing I noticed stepping into Hanalei Bay wasn’t the boat—it was the light. Late-day sun spilled over the ridgelines like a spotlight, turning the ocean into molten silver. No docks here. Just a barefoot launch straight into the sea.
By the time we rounded the point, the Nā Pali Coast rose before us like a dream: serrated cliffs glowing amber, shadows stretching long over the Pacific. In the afternoon, the colors are deeper, moodier. It’s less postcard, more painting. The catamaran leaned into the wind, carving its way into sea caves that vanish in the morning light. The swell was playful but not reckless — spray kissed our faces as we threaded past waterfalls, some thousands of feet tall, pouring off cliffs into the ocean.
“It’s not really about snorkeling. It’s about seeing Kaua‘i the way it wants to be seen.”
Dolphins showed up, as if on cue. Spinner dolphins — smaller than you think, faster than you’d expect — danced at the bow. We pulled into a quiet cove, and I dropped into the water. Still warm from the sun, it was clear enough to see fish weaving between coral heads and turtles gliding beneath us, unbothered. This isn’t a snorkeling tour with a boat ride. It’s a wild ride with a snorkeling intermission — and that’s the point.
Back onboard, towels came out, fresh fruit was passed around, and the sun slid lower behind the cliffs, painting everything gold. You don’t get this kind of light in the morning. You don’t get this energy on a cruise ship. And you don’t forget the feeling — windburned, salty, and somehow completely awake — of seeing the island from this angle, at this hour.
