If your group wants the Na Pali Coast without sharing the boat with strangers, a private charter is exactly what it sounds like: the whole boat, just your people.
Makana Charters offers private Na Pali Coast charters across a fleet of six boats, ranging from intimate groups of 12 up to larger groups of 36. The route, the crew, and the inclusions are the same as the shared tour. You just don’t have to make small talk with anyone you didn’t invite.
Who Books Private Charters
Families traveling together, wedding parties, friend groups marking a milestone, corporate teams who’ve had enough of conference rooms: private Kauai catamaran charters work for any group that wants the Na Pali Coast on their own terms.
The tour itself is the same: same sea caves, same snorkel stop, same deli lunch, same crew. Your group just has the whole boat.
Which Boats Are Available for Private Charters
Private charters are priced as a flat rate for the boat, not per person. The right boat depends on the size of your group.
Makana (up to 12 guests)
The most intimate option in the fleet. A family, a small wedding party, a close group of friends. The minimum age is 9 and older. Groups up to 12 can book online by purchasing standard tickets for each person in your party.
Seiko 1 and Seiko 2 (up to 18 guests)
34-foot power catamarans built specifically for the Na Pali Coast. Each holds up to 16 guests on shared tours; for private charters, capacity extends to 18. The minimum age is 9 and older. Both depart from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha.
Leialoha (up to 18 guests)
The newest vessel in the fleet. A 36-foot power catamaran with the same Na Pali Coast route and inclusions as the Seikos. The minimum age is 9 and older. Departs from Kikiaola.
Na Pali Kai III (up to 32 guests)
The largest boat departing from Kikiaola. Na Pali Kai III has a 360-degree walk-around deck, the only one in the fleet, which gives photographers and families room to move freely on both sides and the bow. The minimum age is 4 and older. Freshwater showers onboard.
Amelia K (up to 36 guests)
The largest private charter option. A 47-foot catamaran with two onboard restrooms and freshwater showers. The minimum age is 4 and older. The Amelia K departs from Port Allen, not Kikiaola. Plan your drive accordingly when booking.
All prices exclude tax. Call (808) 338-9980 to confirm current availability and pricing for your preferred date.
The Na Pali Coast Route
The Na Pali Coast is the western shore of Kauai: a stretch of sea cliffs that rise steeply from the water with no road access anywhere along them. A catamaran is one of the few ways to see it up close, and from the water is how it’s meant to be seen.
From Kikiaola Harbor, the route runs north along the coast. You pass Polihale, the long shoreline at the base of the cliffs, then into Kalalau Valley, where waterfalls come down from the ridgeline.
Sea caves follow: Pirates Cave (Waiahuakua in Hawaiian), Rainbow Falls, and the Honopū Arch, the filming location for King Kong, Six Days Seven Nights, James Bond, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Cave entry is as long as ocean conditions allow.
After the cliffs, the tour stops for about one hour of snorkeling. Spinner dolphins, Pacific Bottlenose dolphins, and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) are commonly spotted along the way.
Why Departure Point Matters for Groups
The majority of our private charter boats depart from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor, the closest harbor to the Na Pali Coast on Kauai. Most competing operators leave from Port Allen, which adds significant transit time in each direction.
Departing from Kikiaola means your group spends more time on the Na Pali cliffs and less time in open water getting there. On a private charter, that extra time on the coast is what you’re paying for.
The Amelia K is the exception. It departs from Port Allen. If that boat fits your group size and the departure point works for your schedule, call us and we’ll walk you through it.
What’s Included
Every Makana Charters private charter includes snorkel gear and flotation devices, a deli-style lunch with turkey, ham, roast beef, or vegetarian options, plus fruit, snacks, soft drinks, and local juices. All boats have onboard restrooms. The Na Pali Kai III and Amelia K have freshwater showers.
Cultural narration from the Native Hawaiian crew is part of every tour. Makana’s family has been sailing these waters for over 200 years, and the captains grew up on Kauai. The narration reflects that history, not a script.
And, of course, guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol. It just stays sealed until after the snorkel stop.
How to Book Your Private Catamaran Charter
Groups of any size: Contact Makana Charters directly to check availability and discuss your group’s needs. Call (808) 338-9980 and our team will confirm which boat fits your group, check availability, and walk you through booking.
Private boat charters on Kauai book up quickly, especially during peak season, so we recommend reaching out as early as possible to secure your preferred date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Kauai Catamaran Charters
Can we customize the itinerary for a private charter?
The core Na Pali Coast route is the same for private charters as for shared tours. The crew works with your group on the details when you call. Contact Makana Charters at (808) 338-9980 to talk through what’s possible for your specific group.
Is there a minimum group size for a private charter?
No. There’s no minimum group size. A private charter means your group has the boat to itself. Two people booking the Makana boat get the same private experience as a group of twelve. Pricing is a flat rate for the boat, not per person.
Is a deposit required to hold a private charter booking?
For groups over 12, call (808) 338-9980 to confirm booking requirements. Group reservations are handled directly by the team, who will walk you through the process.
Can we bring decorations or supplies for a celebration?
Call (808) 338-9980 to talk through what your group has in mind. Private charters work well for milestone celebrations, wedding parties, and similar events. What’s practical on a moving catamaran differs from what works on land, and the team can tell you what guests typically bring and what to leave behind.
