Na Pali Coast Snorkeling Tours
One hour in the water at Nualolo Kai, a reef the south shore can’t touch, on boats that leave from the closest harbor to the coast on Kauai. Rated 4.9 stars by more than 10,000 guests on Google and TripAdvisor. A Native Hawaiian family business; our family has called this coastline home for over 100 years.
This is the Na Pali catamaran snorkel tour Makana Charters has run since Liko Kauai Cruises first put boats on this water: five boats leaving from Kikiaola Harbor in Kekaha, and one, Amelia K, running the same route from Port Allen for guests on the south shore.
Why Choose Our Na Pali Coast Snorkeling Tour
A Fleet That Covers Both Harbors
Every Na Pali Coast snorkeling tour on this island eventually reaches the same coastline. What changes is how much of your day you spend getting there, and how many ways you have to book it.
Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha, the closest launch point to the Na Pali Coast on Kauai, is where five of our six boats depart from, giving you up to a full hour more at the reef than a tour that starts farther away. That’s what makes this the closest Na Pali boat tour on the island if you want more of your morning at the reef instead of the harbor.
Our Amelia K covers the Port Allen side of the island too, so no matter which harbor is closer to where you’re staying, one of our boats is departing from it.
A Reef the South Shore Can’t Reach
Nualolo Kai sees a fraction of the daily boat traffic that south-shore snorkel sites handle, since it’s reachable only by boat and only when ocean conditions allow.
Less traffic means a reef that isn’t churned up by dozens of fins a day: clearer water, calmer fish behavior, and coral that hasn’t been kicked apart by crowds.
Small Groups, Room to Move
Our boats carry 12 to 36 guests, smaller than most operators on the island. A small group Nā Pali snorkel tour gets in the water faster and spends more of the hour actually snorkeling instead of standing around waiting for room at the reef to open up.
A Family Legacy That Goes Back Over 100 Years
Our family has called this island home for over 100 years, and every captain has lived on Kauai for years, most of their entire lives. The cultural narration you hear on board comes from guides whose own family history is part of this coast.
Choose Your Boat
A Nāpali Coast boat and snorkel tour with Makana Charters runs on one of six catamarans, and all but one depart from Kikiaola. Full specs and photos for every boat are on our fleet page if you want to compare before booking.
Na Pali Kai III
Na Pali Kai III is the boat for photographers and families. Its 360° walk-around deck — the only one in our fleet — lets you move freely for unobstructed shots of the cliffs, waterfalls, and sea caves from every angle. After snorkeling, rinse off at the open-air freshwater shower, with a spacious onboard restroom for the trip. Ideal for larger families and groups traveling together. Welcomes children ages 4 and up. For additional information, please visit our FAQ.
Amenities Included:
Marine Facility (onboard restroom) Deli Lunch Snacks & Mixed Soft Drinks Snorkel Gear Snorkeling Easy Access BoardingPricing: (tax not included in price):
Adults: $199 Children: $169
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Seiko 1 & 2
The Seiko is a 34′ power catamaran built for a small-group Na Pali Coast tour. Coast Guard certified for 20, we hold each trip to 16 so there’s always room to move around, snorkel, and take in the sea caves without the crowd — up to 18 for private charters. Ages 9 and up. For additional information please visit our FAQ.
Amenities Included:
Marine Facility (onboard restroom) Deli Lunch Snacks & Mixed Soft Drinks Snorkel Gear Snorkeling Easy Access BoardingPricing: (tax not included in price):
Adults: $219 Children: $189
Check Availability
Leialoha
Leialoha is the newest boat in our fleet — a 36′ power catamaran that seats up to 18 on a regular small-group departure, so a slightly larger family or friend group can ride together. Comfortable seating, an onboard restroom, and open views the whole way as you snorkel the reef and explore the sea caves. Ages 9 and up. For additional information please visit our FAQ.
Amenities Included:
1 Marine Facility (onboard restroom) Deli Lunch Snacks & Mixed Soft Drinks Snorkel Gear Snorkeling Easy Access BoardingPricing: (tax not included in price):
Adult: $219 Children: $189
Check Availability
Makana
With just 12 guests aboard, the Makana is the most intimate way to see the Na Pali Coast. This 32′ custom-built catamaran was designed for room to spread out — every seat has space and a clear view as you snorkel the reef and glide past the sea caves. The smallest group on the water. Ages 9 and up. For additional information please visit our FAQ.
Amenities Included:
Marine Facility (onboard restroom) Deli Lunch Snacks & Mixed Soft Drinks Snorkel Gear Snorkeling Easy Access BoardingPricing: (tax not included in price):
Adults: $219 Children: $189
Check Availability
Amelia K
At 47′ and seating up to 36, the Amelia K is our largest and most luxurious catamaran — plush seating throughout and a smooth, stable ride that makes for the most comfortable day on the coast. She carries two onboard restrooms and an open-air freshwater shower for after you snorkel the reef and drift past the sea caves. Welcomes children ages 4 and up. For additional information please visit our FAQ.
Amenities Included:
2 Marine Facility (onboard restroom) Deli Lunch Snacks & Mixed Soft Drinks Snorkel Gear Snorkeling Easy Access BoardingPricing: (tax not included in price):
Adults: $199 Children: $169
Check Availability
Private Na Pali Coast Boat Tours
Discover the ultimate way to experience Kauai’s iconic coast with our private Na Pali Coast boat tour. Tailored just for you, these intimate adventures let you explore hidden sea caves, pristine waters, and breathtaking cliffs at your own pace, creating memories that are truly yours to treasure.
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Prefer a Private Charter?
Book the Makana boat (up to 12 guests) as a private charter: same route, same snorkel stop, no shared-boat strangers.
Book online with one ticket per guest if your group is 12 or fewer. Above that, call (808) 338-9980, and we’ll arrange the Na Pali Kai III as a buyout instead.
Experience Makana Charters in Action
What's Included on Your Nā Pali Coast Snorkeling Tour
Every tour includes snorkel gear, flotation devices, a deli-style lunch (turkey, ham, roast beef, or vegetarian), soft drinks, and local juices.
The snorkel stop runs about one hour at Makole, Ke’e Beach (Tunnels), or Nualolo Kai, depending on the day’s ocean conditions. You’re free to snorkel, float with flotation devices, or stay on board and watch: nothing is required.
Along the way, this Na Pali Coast sea caves tour passes Pirates Cave (Waiahuakua) and Honopū Arch, entered as long as ocean conditions allow safe access.
Spinner dolphins, Pacific Bottlenose dolphins, and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) are commonly seen along the route on what’s as much a Na Pali Coast dolphin tour as a snorkeling trip, alongside reef fish and coral, though sightings are never guaranteed since ocean conditions and animal behavior vary day to day.
Why Guests Keep Booking With Us
More than 10,000 combined reviews on Google and TripAdvisor add up to a 4.9-star average, built one snorkel tour at a time by a family that’s called this coastline home for over 100 years.
10,430 Reviews
4,968 Reviews
Dave and Charlie were absolutely awesome — genuinely kind, helpful, funny, and really knowledgeable about the coast and the area. They shared interesting information throughout the trip and they were always checking on everyone and making sure we were comfortable. We had somewhat “difficult” weather and ocean conditions (and rain) at times, but they handled everything so well and professionally that we always felt 100% safe.
The Na Pali Coast itself is just unreal from the water. We got surprisingly close to the cliffs, which was SO cool and gives you a completely different perspective than seeing them from land. The scale of the cliffs, the valleys, waterfalls, caves and all the different colors are something pictures really don’t capture properly.
And we saw SO MANY dolphins!! Not just one or two in the distance — there were dolphins all around us, which made an already incredible day even better. Definitely one of those moments you remember after the trip is over.
I did get a little seasick, so one piece of advice: if you’re even slightly prone to motion sickness, take seasickness pills or something similar beforehand. I’m still really glad I went and wouldn’t have wanted to miss this experience because of it.
Overall, such a fun and memorable day and easily one of my favorite things we did in Kauai. I would absolutely recommend Makana Charters to anyone wanting to experience the Na Pali Coast from the water.
And a BIG thank you again to Dave and Charlie — you guys really made the experience! Highly recommend!!
They were great at providing the safety and site information and at the same time very laid back and allowed everyone on the boat to enjoy everything at their own pace.
The snorkel spot was truly great! The waterfalls and beauty of the Napali Coast was spectacular!
The dolphins was an added bonus to a great trip.
I would highly recommend this tour!
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Na Pali Coast Snorkeling Tour
Do I need to know how to swim to join?
No. Flotation devices are included and available for every guest. You don’t need to be a confident swimmer to participate, and if you’d rather stay on board during the snorkel stop, that’s fine: the crew never requires anyone to enter the water.
Is this a good snorkeling tour for kids?
Yes, though the minimum age depends on the boat. Guests ages 4 and older can join on the Na Pali Kai III or Amelia K, both stocked with flotation devices and crew used to handling kids of every comfort level in the water. Seiko 1, Seiko 2, Leialoha, and Makana require guests to be at least 9. Any child who’d rather not get in can stay on board through the whole snorkel stop.
Where exactly does the snorkeling take place?
The site varies by ocean conditions on the day of your tour. We most often stop at Makole, Ke’e Beach (Tunnels), or Nualolo Kai, all along the Na Pali Coast, and Nualolo Kai sees far less boat traffic than south-shore locations. Our crew picks the site that morning based on conditions.
What if my snorkel gear doesn’t fit properly once we’re on the water?
Tell the crew right away. We carry backup gear on board and can swap out a mask or snorkel that isn’t sealing correctly. The crew checks fit before anyone enters the water specifically to catch this early.
Can I book a private charter instead of a shared tour?
Yes. The Makana boat can be booked as a private charter online for groups of 12 or fewer, one ticket per guest. For anything larger, call (808) 338-9980 and we’ll set up the Na Pali Kai III as a buyout.
How is this different from a general Kauai snorkeling tour?
A Na Pali Coast snorkeling tour is specific to the reef sites along Kauai’s north and northwest shore, a stretch no road or shoreline trail actually touches. Our tours depart from Kikiaola Harbor, the closest point to this stretch of coast, so more of your day is at the reef and less in transit. A general Kauai snorkeling search also turns up shore-based spots elsewhere on the island, which don’t require a boat at all but don’t reach Nualolo Kai either.
More questions? Our full FAQ page covers booking, cancellation, seasickness, and what to bring in more depth.
