Frequently Asked Questions About Na Pali Coast Tours

There isn’t one boat that eliminates motion sickness, but two factors help. Larger boats generally feel steadier in wind chop than smaller ones, so guests concerned about motion sickness often lean toward the Na Pali Kai III (32 guests) or Amelia K (36 guests) instead of our smaller catamarans. Morning departures also tend to see calmer water than afternoon and sunset tours, since trade winds typically build through the day.

Take an over-the-counter motion sickness remedy before you board. If your doctor prescribes a motion sickness patch, apply it several hours ahead so it has time to take effect. Sit toward the center of the boat, where motion is less pronounced, and keep your eyes on the horizon instead of a screen. Stay hydrated, limit alcohol the night before, limit coffee morning of your tour.  You’re always welcome to call us (808) 338-9980 if you’d like to talk through your options before booking.

We run all year but the summer, roughly April through October, is the best window for calm water and consistent access to the coastline. Winter swells from the north settle down during these months, which means fewer weather cancellations, steadier conditions for snorkeling at spots like Nualolo Kai / Makole and better odds of sea cave entry, since caves are only entered as long as ocean conditions allow. Summer is also peak booking season, so tours sell out further in advance than they do in winter.

Morning tours typically see calmer seas, since trade winds haven’t built up yet in the early part of the day. By the time a sunset departure heads back to Kikiaola Harbor or Port Allen afternoon winds have usually picked up, which can make the return leg choppier than the outbound leg of a morning tour. Neither tour is ever guaranteed to be smooth. Ocean conditions shift day to day, and our captains make the call on the water, not the calendar.

The main difference is the snorkel stop. The morning tour includes one at reef sites like Nualolo Kai, Makole, or towards the south; from late October to May we don’t do much snorkeling in the afternoon tour, which is our sunset whale watch cruise. Instead, the sunset cruise trades the snorkel stop for golden-hour light on the cliffs, which is the better choice if photography of the Na Pali Coast is your priority. If snorkeling matters more to you than sunset light, book the morning tour. If you want both on one trip, you’d need to book two separate tours.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel. Our larger boats have freshwater showers, but we don’t supply towels. A light layer helps too: the catamaran moves fast, and wind off the water is cooler than the air on shore, especially in the morning. A waterproof phone case is worth packing, too, since phones are the most commonly lost items overboard during the snorkel stop.

Wear your swimsuit or beachwear under your clothes; you’ll be in the water for about an hour at the snorkel stop. Bring sandals or shoes you’re comfortable walking in at the harbor, even if you plan to go barefoot on the boat, because Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor has uneven surfaces near the dock. Leave jewelry, watches, and anything you can’t afford to lose or get wet back at your hotel, since spray comes aboard regularly.

Yes, we provide snorkel gear and flotation devices for every guest, so you don’t need to rent equipment separately on the island. If you use prescription lenses or already own a mask that fits better, you’re welcome to bring your own. Guests who don’t want to snorkel are still welcome to stay on board and relax while others are in the water.

Yes, cameras and phones are welcome on board. The Na Pali Kai III’s 360-degree walk-around deck is a popular choice for photographers who want unobstructed views of the cliffs. A waterproof case or a case with a float attachment is worth using near the water, because spray and the snorkel stop both carry real risk of dropping a device overboard. Keep loose bags small too, as storage space on the boat is shared among all guests.

Yes, every tour includes a deli-style lunch (turkey, ham, roast beef, or a vegetarian option), plus fruit, snacks, soft drinks, and local juices.  Light personal snacks or an extra drink beyond the included meal are fine too, as long as your bag stays a little small.

Book before you arrive on Kauai, especially for a summer trip. June through August is peak season; tours sell out, and waiting until you land significantly narrows your choice of dates, boats, and departure times. If you’re booking last-minute, call us directly at (808) 338-9980. We can tell you what’s open across the fleet in real time, which is faster than checking online.

If your tour is canceled for weather or unsafe ocean conditions, you can reschedule subject to availability or get a full refund. You won’t be charged for a tour that doesn’t run. We watch conditions closely before every departure, and when we call a cancellation, it’s because the same conditions would have made snorkeling and sea cave access unsafe anyway.

Light rain doesn’t stop the tour. We operate through passing showers, and most guests stay on the water and barely notice a brief drizzle. Tours only get canceled when conditions turn genuinely unsafe, not for ordinary rain, and if that happens you can reschedule, or get a full refund as described above.

Conditions vary by season and can shift quickly, which is why our crew checks conditions directly each morning instead of relying on a forecast alone. Trade winds and passing rain showers are part of normal conditions on this coast, and neither one alone is a reason to expect a cancellation. For a fuller picture of seasonal temperatures and rainfall on Kauai before you pack or pick your travel dates, see our Kauai weather guide.

Yes, gift certificates are available for Na Pali Coast tours, private charters, and the sunset cruise. Call (808) 338-9980 or email info@makanacharters.com to arrange one for a birthday, anniversary, or any occasion. Let us know which tour type the recipient is likely to want so we can point you to the right certificate.

It depends on group size. Groups of 16 or fewer can book the Seiko boat as a private charter by purchasing one standard ticket per guest online; no separate arrangement needed. Groups larger than 16, which require the Na Pali Kai III, need to call (808) 338-9980 directly, since a group that size is an arranged buyout, not a standard online booking.

No, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Guests who need wheelchair access but can be assisted onto the boat should book the Na Pali Kai III or our Amelia K instead, which is our recommended alternative for accessibility. Boarding on the Seiko 1, Seiko 2, and Leialoha varies by guest and tide conditions on the day, so call (808) 338-9980 before booking any boat in our fleet so we can walk you through what boarding looks like on the day of your tour.

It depends on the boat. The Na Pali Kai III and Amelia K allow guests ages 4 and up, while the Seiko 1, Seiko 2 ages 9 and up, Leialoha ages 7 and up . If you’re traveling with younger children, book the Na Pali Kai III or Amelia K over one of the smaller catamarans.

Only in June, July, or August, and only under specific conditions. Pregnant guests may join a tour during those three months, up to 22 weeks gestation, with a doctor’s note submitted directly to Makana Charters by the doctor, not the guest, ahead of the tour. Call (808) 338-9980 to arrange the details before booking, since this policy doesn’t apply outside June through August.

Yes, every guest signs a liability waiver before boarding. Guests under 18 need an accompanying adult to sign on their behalf. You’ll typically complete this at check-in, so plan to arrive with enough time before departure.

Swimming ability is recommended if you plan to snorkel, but it isn’t required. Flotation devices are provided for every guest, including non-swimmers who still want to get in the water at the snorkel stop. If you’d rather stay dry, you’re welcome to remain on board while others snorkel.

You’re probably not the only one . Non-snorkeling guests can relax on board, watch for wildlife, talk with the Captain about the coast’s history, and eat lunch while others are in the water. There’s no requirement to get in the water to enjoy the rest of the tour. You’ll probably see fish around the boat without snorkeling.  

The snorkel stop runs about one hour, at a location chosen based on the day’s ocean conditions, typically Makole, or Nualolo Kai. Nualolo Kai is only accessible during the calmer summer months, roughly April through October, when northwest swells settle enough to allow safe catamaran access. The stop includes time to swim, snorkel, and eat lunch, not just time in the water.

Usually not, outside of the snorkel stop itself. On a calm day, most guests stay dry for the ride out and back. On a rainy or windy day, expect occasional ocean spray to reach the deck, so a light layer is worth having on hand. Sometimes the Captain may go under a waterfall.

Yes to both. Every boat has canopy coverage and cushioned seating, plus open-air deck seating for guests who want full sun, and every boat has an onboard restroom. All of our catamarans also have freshwater showers, so you can rinse off after snorkeling before heading back to the harbor.

Yes, parking is available at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor, our meeting location for most tours. We send detailed directions and parking instructions with your booking confirmation, so you’ll know exactly where to go before you arrive. If you’re booked on the Amelia K, note that the boat departs from Port Allen instead but our parking is at our warehouse and we shuttle you down please check your confirmation for the correct meeting point.

Spinner dolphins, Pacific bottlenose dolphins, and Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) are commonly seen along the route, along with reef fish and coral. They’re wild animals, though, so we can’t guarantee a sighting on any specific tour. Our captains know the tides and habitats along this coast, which is why sightings are common rather than rare.

We enter sea caves, including Pirates Cave (Waiahuakua) , Open Ceiling Cave and more, as long as ocean conditions allow safe access. Some days conditions don’t permit entry, and our captains decide once they see the water that day, not before. Honopū Arch has appeared in several films, including King Kong and Pirates of the Caribbean, and is worth seeing even from outside if entry isn’t possible that day.

Every tour follows the same basic route along the coastline. It runs from Kikiaola Harbor or Port Allen Harbor past the Polihale shoreline, along the Kalalau Valley waterfalls, through the Na Pali Coast sea caves, and into a snorkel stop before returning to the harbor.