This sailing and snorkeling tour is your front-row ticket to the Nā Pali Coast—Kauai’s 17-mile stretch of razor-sharp cliffs, hidden valleys, and cascading waterfalls, best seen from the sea. You’ll board a sleek 50-foot catamaran in Port Allen, enjoy a continental breakfast, then sail north toward one of the most awe-inspiring coastlines in the world. Weather permitting, your captain will anchor at a calm reef where you can snorkel among tropical fish and maybe even spot a honu (Hawaiian sea turtle). The crew shares stories of the ancient Hawaiians who once called these valleys home, while lunch and drinks keep the vibe easy and relaxed. If you're lucky, humpbacks might join the party in winter.
"Had a great trip with an even more amazing crew to see the Napali Coast and snorkel."
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GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 5 and up, group size up to 37 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate — leisurely sailing with snorkeling in calm waters
WHAT TO BRING
Swimwear, towel, sun protection, light wind cover
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations refundable 24 hours prior for groups of 6 or less, 72 hours for 6 or more.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.8★ from 8,300+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests love the mix of scenic sailing, snorkeling with turtles and marine life, and the upbeat crew energy. The boat is comfortable and stable, the food and drink offerings are plentiful, and the crew is praised for safety, local insight, and genuine friendliness. Many call it a highlight of their Kauaʻi trip, even if snorkeling visibility varied by day.
"This trip was so amazing! My husband and I came to Kauai for our belated honeymoon. Everyone told us that this was a must do excursion and we would totally agree! "
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Trip Details
Step aboard Leila, Holo Holo Charters’ beautiful 50-foot sailing catamaran, and experience one of Kauaʻi’s most iconic adventures: a true Napali Coast sail and snorkel. This five-hour journey departs from Port Allen Marina Center and takes you up Kauaʻi’s rugged, world-renowned northwestern coastline — a place best seen and truly felt from the water.
As Leila cuts through the clear Pacific under full sail — harnessing Kauaʻi’s famous trade winds — it’s not uncommon to reach speeds up to 18 knots (about 20 mph). This is authentic sailing at its best: open air, ocean spray, and breathtaking panoramic views. Along the way, your captain and friendly local crew share stories of the Hawaiians who once lived in the dramatic valleys carved between the Napali’s 3,500-foot cliffs, hidden beaches, sea caves, and remote waterfalls.
Keep your camera ready — this coast is alive with marine life. Spinner dolphins often surf the boat’s wake, green sea turtles surface to breathe, and in winter months, you may glimpse migrating humpback whales breaching offshore.
Once the boat reaches a calm, sheltered spot — selected daily based on weather and ocean conditions — your captain will anchor for a relaxed snorkeling session. The crew provides all snorkel gear, floatation, and professional instruction to make it easy and fun for beginners and experienced swimmers alike. Slip into the water and drift above vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a passing turtle.
Between adventure and wildlife sightings, you’ll enjoy a freshly prepared continental breakfast and a gourmet deli-style lunch onboard. Non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day, and once the snorkeling is done, the crew opens the bar with beer and wine for a celebratory sail back to Port Allen.
This small-group experience combines comfort, adventure, local storytelling, and classic Hawaiian hospitality. Whether you’re captivated by the dramatic cliffs or simply want to lounge on deck with the breeze in your hair, Holo Holo’s Napali Snorkel Sail is a Kauaʻi day you won’t soon forget.
Restrictions:
- Minimum age: 5 years old—strictly enforced
- Pregnant guests: Not permitted for safety reasons
- Must be able to swimHolo Holo Charters is a Kauaʻi-based, family-operated ocean tour company acclaimed for its eco-friendly and immersive experiences along the Na Pali Coast, Ni‘ihau, and Lehua Crater. Their island‑built catamarans—like the sleek Leila—host small to mid-size groups, offering narrated sailing, wildlife viewing, snorkeling instruction, breakfast and lunch, and open‑bar service. With six consecutive years in the Top 10 “Best Boat Tour in the US,” they focus on comfort, safety, sustainability, and genuine aloha.
Check‑in is at Port Allen Marina Center, 4353 Waialo Rd, Suite 5A, Ele ‘ele, HI 96705, where you’ll board the catamaran Leila for the cruise.
Parking is available in the designated Holo Holo gravel lot—please do not park at the harbor or pier to avoid towing.- Operator reserves the right to refuse service due to safety and/or health conditions.
- All tour routes and snorkel destinations are subject to change or may re-route due to weather and sea conditions.
- All no-shows or tours cancelled within 24 hours of check-in time is a 100% charge of full fare. Larger groups of 6 or more have a 72-hour cancellation policy.
- There is a late rescheduling fee (24 hours prior to check in) of $25 per person plus tax.
Cancelled tours by Operator are fully refundable or gladly rescheduled.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Sailing into the Cliffs
You hear a lot of superlatives thrown around in Hawaii. Best beach, most scenic drive, top snorkel. But once the sails fill and Leila leans into the wind, cutting north up Kauai’s coast, you get it—Nā Pali doesn’t need marketing language. It’s just... unreal. These cliffs don’t rise; they explode. Raw, vertical, and textured with ridges that look like they were carved yesterday. The valleys look like movie sets. The waterfalls, like something the island forgot to turn off.
The crew kept it loose—passing around muffins and coffee, pointing out dolphins cruising past the bow, sharing stories about early Polynesian voyagers and the aliʻi (chiefs) who ruled these remote valleys. One of them said you could hike back here, but it would take days. The boat? Way better.
“Nā Pali doesn’t need marketing language. It’s just… unreal.”
When we anchored, the water was so clear it almost didn’t look real. I slipped off the back and into another world—schools of yellow tang, flashes of parrotfish, coral heads like underwater cities. The reef wasn’t massive, but it was alive, and calm. Someone pointed out a sea turtle. Someone else just floated, silent.
Sailing back, we toasted with cold beer and sandwiches while the sun caught the cliffs just right. Not a single car in sight. Just salt on your skin, and a little disbelief that this place actually exists.
