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
Wonderful day
Beautiful boat ride. Boat was in great condition, felt very comfortable and not overcrowded. Plenty of room to move about. Staff were wonderful. Music on boat was good. Food and drinks were great. Options for vegetarians. Really a great vibe and fun day. Best day in Kauai.
Unique and Once in a Life time tour.
Great day out with an experienced, professional and friendly crew who accommodated all your tour needs. Seas are open water but you get to snorkel areas most will never see. The roller coaster swell was actually fun. Like the crew tells you, take motion sickness medication BEFORE, don’t wait, it’s too late. Our three teens didn’t fair too well, but you can only tell them so many times to look at the horizon, drink water and stay cool…. Highly recommended.
Awesome Na Pali Coast Tour
We did this tour about 7 years ago and loved it so much that we had to do it again.
Totally recommend the Ni'ihau super snorkel
Captain Nate and crew gave us a once in a lifetime experience. Get a good night's sleep the night before because the Ni'ihau snorkel leaves out early and 7 hours is a long day! We had a great time snorkeling, then enjoyed the cruise along the Na Pali coast. The crew took the time to take some photos for us and we stood at the bow and enjoyed the ride for most of the cruise back to the harbor. The food and snacks included were filling and perfectly suited for this activity.
Epic Snorkeling Adventure
This was truly the highlight of our trip to Kauai, our 16th trip to Kauai. We had a group of 10 with a mix of family and friends and everyone, from first-time snorkelers to experienced ones, had an incredible time. We lucked out with perfect weather and unbelievably calm ocean conditions. Snorkeling between Lehua Crater and the “Forbidden Island” of Niihau was unforgettable. The water was the most amazing shade of blue, visibility was easily 75–100 feet, and swimming above the shelf where it drops hundreds of feet into the deep blue was absolutely breathtaking. After snorkeling, we cruised around Lehua Crater for incredible photo opportunities before heading to the Na Pali Coast. Seeing those cliffs up close from the water is something we’ll never forget. What really made this trip exceptional, though, was the crew. With only two crew members plus Captain Jess taking care of nearly 40 passengers, they somehow made everyone feel welcome and taken care of. They provided two great meals, helped everyone get fitted with snorkeling gear, collected everything afterward, answered questions, shared great conversation, and did it all with smiles while keeping everyone safe. The scenery was world-class, but the professionalism, friendliness, and hard work of Captain Jess and the crew made this a true 5-star experience. I would recommend this trip to anyone visiting Kauai without hesitation.