Ni'ihau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel Boat Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the Forbidden Island of Ni'ihau
- Snorkel in the pristine waters of Lehua Crater
- Witness the stunning Na Pali Coastline
- Encounter diverse marine life including dolphins and monk seals
- Enjoy a comfortable and spacious boat ride
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided snorkeling excursions
- Snacks and beverages
- Round-trip boat transportation
- Hotel accommodations
Itinerary
1. Breathtaking Sightseeing—With her 4,000’ cliffs, cascading waterfalls, emerald-green valleys and secluded beaches, the Napali Coast is an absolute must-do on any Kauai vacation. And while most tours stop there, this adventure continues on to Lehua Crater (a Hawaii State Wildlife Sanctuary) and the mysterious Ni’ihau Island.
2. Excellent Snorkeling and Wildlife Viewing— The snorkeling conditions around Lehua Crater and Niihau are some of the clearest and most prolific in all of Hawaii. Going offshore to Lehua and Niihau, we increase our chances of seeing more elusive ocean species such as pilot whales and rough-toothed dolphins in addition to the spinner dolphins, green sea turtles and humpback whales (seasonally, December-April) that frequent the waters of Kauai.
Pass by: Satisfying Food and Beverage Service—The meals we serve are colorful, delicious, and prepared fresh every morning using whole ingredients. In the beverage department, you’ll be offered water, coffee, juices, soft drinks and a creative selection of craft beer, wine, and hard seltzers.
Pass by: Get a Sense of the Cultural History—Kauai’s Napali Coast is uninhabited today but was once home to thousands of people and to this day, there’s a private colony of Hawaiian people living on Niihau! We’ll share the history, legends, and stories of these lands and their people, leaving you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Kauai and Ni’ihau Islands.
Pass by: Hospitality with Aloha—Your friendly crew members will be at your side all day long, making sure you’re comfortable, hydrated, well-fed, your snorkel mask fits right, your drink is topped up, and that you’re having a fabulous time.
Pass by: A Safe and Original Experience—Taking into consideration the day’s weather and ocean conditions, your experienced Captain will use their discretion to show you as much as possible in the time we have, while always prioritizing your comfort and safety. Specific stops and snorkeling locations will vary, and we’ll always do our very best to impress. Splashes can happen--bring a light jacket!
Meeting point
Start Location
Holo Holo Charters, 4353 Waialo Rd #5a, Eleele, HI 96705, USA
Important information
Know before you book
- Check the weather forecast for the day of the tour
- Confirm the departure time and location
- Review the cancellation policy in case of unforeseen changes
Know before you go
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen
- Wear comfortable clothing suitable for a boat ride
- Consider bringing a waterproof camera to capture marine life
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
Good to know
- Passenger Policy
- 1. This is an adventure. Ocean conditions vary and may be rough. Participation may not be suitable for everyone; boarding of physically challenged individuals is at the captain’s discretion.
- 2. Not recommended for guests with back, neck, knee, hip, or other joint problems, chronic pain, recent injuries or surgeries, or severe motion sickness. No refunds for seasickness; prevention is best with over-the-counter remedies.
- 3. No expectant mothers.
- 4. Children must be 5 years or older.
- 5. Routes, destinations, and snorkeling are subject to change without notice due to weather and ocean conditions.
- 6. Cancelled tours are fully refundable or gladly rescheduled.
- 7. “No shows” or any cancellation within 24-hours of check-in time is subject to a 100% charge of the total fare including tax.
- 8. We are not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.
- 9. Mobility aids such as canes, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, etc. are not allowed on board.
- 10. We do not land on shore.
- 11. Non-swimmers are not allowed in the water.
- 12. Full-face snorkel masks are prohibited. Only traditional two-piece masks and snorkels may be used. For safety, please avoid snorkeling within 24 hours after arriving from a flight over 5 hours
- 13. If you do not have your daily or prescribed medication with you, i.e. inhalers, EpiPens, diabetic medication, you must reschedule your tour for another day.
- 14. No smoking of any kind, including electronic cigarettes.
- 15. You should bring your own towels, sunscreen, a light jacket and camera. We will provide everything else.
- 16. All tours are barefoot. Shoes must be removed before boarding, with orthopedic/diabetic exceptions at the captain’s discretion.
- 17. Per our liquor license, guests may not bring alcohol. IDs are required for age verification. Intoxicated guests will not be served and may be denied boarding. Alcohol is served only after snorkeling on applicable tours.
- 18. No coolers or drones/unmanned aircraft are allowed on-board.
- 19. Spray/aerosol sunscreens are prohibited as a safety hazard. Please use reef-friendly lotion sunscreens instead.
- 20. Marine toilets clog easily. Only flush human waste and the toilet paper provided.
- 21. Please use the designated gravel parking lot.
- 22. All complaints of harassment or assault, and any suspected illegal activity, will be reported to the proper authorities.
- 23. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who does not meet health, safety, or policy requirements.
- As a company that puts sustainability at the forefront of goals, we request you bring your own reusable water bottle with you on tour.
- Child rates apply to ages 5-12, and adult rates apply to ages 13 and above.
Traveler reviews
Good way to see the other...
Good way to see the other part of the island. Second time doing this exact tour. Captain Nate & crew were wonderful. You do encounter waves so be prepared.
Beyond expectations!
This was an adventure of a lifetime. Not your typical snorkel excursion and the staff, in shop and on board, were attentive and professional! I talked others in our family into changing the excursion they weee going to do in a couple of days to this one!
The excursion was nice....
The excursion was nice. Ship was very clean and organized. Food was ok with breakfast and lunch sandwich. Captain Ned was knowledgeable about the island. We saw dolphins on the way to Ni’ihau. It was quite a long ride but weather was nice. It’s not so rocky but people with motion sickness should prepare before you get on the boat. Went to 1 spot for snorkeling, not so many fishes. Wish could have a quick second snorkel stop. Crew were very helpful and attentive.
Great way to spend the day, see the islands, and enjoy wild life
We loved this trip! Even though I got sunburned despite all my precautions, it was amazing. Captain Nate kept us well informed about the local geography and history we were seeing, which is important to me. The crew were very focused on safety and service which was nice. They were always there to offer you hydration, or answer any questions. 8 hours seems like a long time on a boat, but the trip was broken up by our snorkeling time at Lehua, breakfast and lunch, the open bar, and the slow ride along the Na’aPali coast, which is some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine. I’ve been on the Na’aPali coast in a rubber raft years ago, and I much preferred this catamaran . Also, the crew was very patient about helping us with our photo ops. Snorkeling was amazing. My husband hung out with a monk seal, while I swam with schools of various Tangs, Butterflyfish, Wrasse, and even some Moorish Idols. There were also groupers, triggerfish and surgeonfish. Along the way, we saw a whale, some flying fish, and a lovely pod of spinner dolphins. I had always thought that Niihau was forbidden because it was a sacred space and was surprised to learn that it was a privately owned space, and occupied by descendants of the original owners. So that was interesting. The boat was full, but never seemed crowded. People were great about moving around and not “claiming space”. One thing I would say is that regardless of what sailors call weather, this cruise is not for people who are inclined to motion sickness. We saw several fellow travelers who were discomfited for most of the journey, which seems to me to be not only sad, but a waste of time and money. If you know you suffer from motion sickness, choose another adventure!
What a great time! We saw...
What a great time! We saw whales, seals, dolphins, stingrays and several beautiful fish. The crew was great and the views were amazing