Frequently Asked Questions

Because we are the best! Our mission statement is to be the best boat tour company on Kauai, and we truly strive for that every day. Plus, we were recently voted as the Best Boat Tour in the US! Really, it’s largely because of our incredible team, we all really love our jobs, and are passionate about sharing this beautiful place with you. Our fleet is unique as it’s the only fleet here on Kauai that was designed and built locally, specifically for Kauai’s water conditions. Safety is our #1 priority, but after that it’s all about providing a memorable experience for our guests and getting to show them more of the island that we love.

Our weather changes constantly. Our captains are very experienced when it comes to weather, and they are constantly watching and analyzing it. Our daily protocol will be for the captain to assess the forecasted conditions and contact our reservation staff to either confirm or cancel the tour by a certain time (for morning tours, this will happen the evening before the tour; for sunset tours, this will happen before noon on the day of the tour). If the tour is confirmed then our reservation staff will contact each party scheduled to let them know it is confirmed, and the captain will continue watching the developing weather conditions. At check-in time, if the captain has any concerns about weather or needing to alter our route or itinerary, they will disclose this information to all guests immediately after check-in. If you are not comfortable with the alterations mentioned, you may cancel your reservation with a full refund or discuss options to reschedule to another tour/day (space available) with no rescheduling fee.

• We recommend booking your tour as soon as you have your travel plans confirmed. Our tours can book up weeks in advance, so waiting until you arrive on-island for most things lately (activities, restaurant reservations, car rentals, etc.) will leave you with minimal options.
• We have a 24-hour cancellation policy for any groups with 5 or less people, and for groups of 6 or more, it is a one-week cancellation policy. If you need to change or cancel your reservation in advance of that cancellation period, please call our office directly 808-335-0815 so we can assist with no charges. If you cancel within the cancellation period, you will be held to full charges.
• We recommend booking your boat tour early in your vacation window, that way if weather or other factors force us to cancel your tour at the last minute, than you may be able to reschedule for another day.

All tours offer a pre-set menu. We are happy to note any dietary restrictions that you may have, but we do not make alterations to our menu. We can offer a detailed breakdown of our menu that highlights potential allergens so you can review and easily avoid any potential issues. We work closely with our caterers to provide a fresh, tasty, and varied menu offering, so there are always options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten sensitivities.

Tips are not required, but they are appreciated. If you feel that our staff is deserving of it, you are more than welcome to leave them a tip.

That completely depends on you and your travel partners. All our tours are great, and offer something unique, but each person needs to decide what suits them best. If snorkeling is your priority, then the 7-hour Niihau & Napali Tour is hands down the best one to consider. If you’d like to see Napali and snorkel on a more leisurely tour, then the 5-hour Napali Snorkel Sail is the one for you. If you are into photography, then a sunset tour would be the best fit. We would love to help you decide which option suits your needs, please call us at 808-335-0815 to speak with our friendly staff, we would love to learn more about your group and help find the best fit for you.

• On our morning snorkel tours it’s good to wear your bathing suit as your base layer, and dress in layers on top of that to make sure you are comfortable with the wind and sea-spray in the early hours.
• On our afternoon sunset tours, we would suggest dressing comfortable and casually, with the expectation of getting wet from sea-spray, rain, or waterfalls.
• While out on our tours if you are fighting to stay dry, it’s going to be an uphill battle through the duration of the tour. Embrace the wetness, bring towels for each person in your party, and have a jacket or sweater with you because you can chill very quickly as the sun goes down.
• We highly recommend any clothing that offers SPF protection as being on the ocean can enhance the effects of the sun, and most of that clothing tends to be quick drying as well, which makes it great boating gear!

All snorkeling tours have a heavy focus on sightseeing along Kauai’s Napali Coast, while sharing history and legends and looking for marine life. We offer one snorkel stop per tour and you will have 30-60 minutes of time in the water to swim, snorkel, or lounge aboard the vessel if you are not interested in getting in the water.

Our sunset tours will depart from Port Allen Harbor and will cruise for 45-60 minutes before we reach the Napali Coast. Once there we will have time to enjoy a panoramic view of the entire coastline and come in and hug the coast as closely as conditions will safely permit so that we can show you the fine details (hidden beaches, valleys, ridges, waterfalls, and sea caves). Along the way, captain and crew will share history and legends about the areas you are seeing and point out any marine life we spot. We will serve you beverages, cocktails, and appetizers on our way out, and will have a full dinner available on our way back. We will stop to enjoy a champagne toast at sunset and take lots of photos throughout the trip. We will be within 10-15 minutes of the harbor as the sun sets and will return to the dock shortly after, so we are not returning in the dark.

The only real difference is the vessel. The route, menu, information shared, and price are the same for both sunset tours. The 3.5-hour Sunset Tour is on vessel Holoholo, our 65-foot powered catamaran, this is the fastest way to get to Napali Coast and back. The 4.5-hour Sunset Tour is on vessel Leila, our 50-foot powered sailing catamaran. Leila doesn’t move as fast as Holoholo, so we need that extra hour to make it to the coast and back, plus if conditions permit, we love to sail so we allow some extra time for that.

Our afternoon tours provide the best natural lighting for photos of the Napali Coast since we’re out during the “golden hour” in the afternoon light. Our morning tours give you a great opportunity to capture wildlife photos above and below the sea. Napali is quite majestic in any lighting or conditions and looks different throughout each day.

• The more time you spend on the water, the more chance of seeing marine life. Our morning tours offer snorkeling, so that will give you the opportunity to see marine life while in the water. The 7-hour Niihau & Napali Super Tour provides the best opportunity for marine life viewing for three reasons: 1. You spend the most time on the water; 2. We cross a very deep channel between Kauai and Niihau and often encounter the most rare and unique species of dolphins and whales not typically seen on other tours. 3. The snorkel location is superb, often offering in-water sightings of monk seals, manta rays, and reef sharks, in addition to many varieties of fish.
• Dolphins are more commonly seen on morning tours, but they can be spotted in the evening as well.
• Humpback whales visit Hawaiian waters from October through May, with peak season from December to April. During peak season, you will most likely see several humpback whale sightings on tour no matter which tour you select, and again, the more time you spend on the water the better your chances!

The Niihau & Napali Super Tour will offer you the opportunity to view parts of Niihau’s coastline and we’ll share history and legends about the area, but since this is a privately owned island, we will not set foot on land at any time. We typically snorkel at Lehua Crater which is just off the coast of Niihau. We respect the privacy of the native inhabitants and keep our distance from the shore.

We do not do any shore landings on any tour.

This area can only be viewed by boat or helicopter, and accessed by an all-day hike, camping permits required.  This is one of the reasons that we started operating sightseeing boat tours along the Napali Coast in 1997 and continue to do so today. Seeing Napali Coast from a boat offers an unforgettable viewing experience as you are at sea level looking up at 4,000-foot cliffs. You can also explore many hikes and scenic overlooks from the top of the Napali Coast, on the cliffs looking down, by driving through Waimea Canyon and to Koke’e State Park.

We have scheduled our departure time for this tour in hopes of getting up to Napali and starting our way across the channel that separates us from Niihau and Lehua before our “typical” trade wind pattern starts blowing. It makes for an early morning, but you’ll have from 2pm on to enjoy the rest of your day doing whatever suits you best (sometimes that’s a nap!).

No, this area can only be viewed by boat or helicopter, and accessed by an all-day hike, camping permits required.

The Napali Coast is found on the northwest side of Kauai. It is stunning, rugged, and cloaked in history and legends. The only way to view it is by boat (we offer a variety of tours to get you there when conditions permit), helicopter, viewing from Koke’e State Park or by a strenuous 11-mile hike.

The options for accessing Kalalau Beach are limited. You can view the beach by joining one of our amazing boat tours (conditions permitting), taking a helicopter flight (conditions permitting), or hiking 11 miles on some very challenging terrain (the Sierra Club rates this a 9 out of 10 for difficulty), permits required.Camping permits are required for this hike, and parking permits or shuttle reservations are needed to access the trail. During summer months when conditions allow, kayaking the entire coast is an option to access Kalalau Beach, but this is for experienced kayakers only and camping permits are required. It is illegal for any boat landings or pick-ups/drop-offs at Kalalau Beach.

• All snorkeling takes place in the open ocean, typically 50-150 yards from the shore. We will moor or anchor our vessel at our snorkel location, and you will enter the water from a swim platform off the back of the vessel (catamarans). There are swim steps or a swim ladder to assist you back on to the vessel when your snorkeling time is complete. We provide all the snorkel equipment you need, including prescription goggles, and we typically have 30-60 minutes of snorkel time on any given tour.
• On our Niihau + Napali Super Tour we are typically the only company out at that remote location. We could be in waters 10-40+ feet and tend to find clarity that averages 40-120+ feet with abundant marine life. We are snorkeling in a protected marine sanctuary with very little traffic and little annual rainfall… get ready for some of the best snorkeling conditions in all of Hawaii!

Yes, we will provide your mask, snorkel, and fins for you at no additional cost. We’ve also got prescription goggles for those who need corrective lenses (everything from a 1.5 to a -7.0).

You are more than welcome to bring your own snorkeling equipment, if it is a traditional mask covering your nose and eyes. We do not allow the use of full-face snorkeling masks on our tours for safety reasons. Full-face snorkel masks are a newer technology, and some brands have serious design flaws that make their use unsafe at times. Since we are responsible for your safety while out on our tour, we require you to use traditional two-piece snorkel/mask sets.

When snorkeling, life vests make things more difficult because they are specifically designed to keep your head out of the water. We have life jackets on board but only distribute them in times of emergency. We will gladly provide snorkel vests if you’d like an assistant floatation device. These are aids to support weak swimmers, but not to support non-swimmers. If you cannot swim, we can’t allow you in the water to snorkel. We are in the open ocean, and it’s not a safe place to learn how to swim.

We do not allow any feeding of the fish with the hope to keep natures natural balance, we are passionate about sustainability and one aspect of that is protecting the ecosystems that exist. We do not want fish to begin to depend on humans to bring them food.

No, you will not get into the water with dolphins because it is illegal to do so under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The only exception is if you are already in the water snorkeling, and they come and approach you, consider that your lucky day! We are the only boat tour operator on Kauai that is certified as part of NOAA’s Dolphin SMART program, a voluntary program designed to educate and enforce marine mammal approach limits. Preserving our marine life is important to us, we want them to exist in their natural habitat now and for years to come, it is proven that dolphins and other marine mammals change their natural feeding habits and behaviors due to too much human interaction. Dolphins can approach us and get as close as they want, but we will not pursue them.

No, we do not allow anyone who does not know how to swim to get into the water. Where we are snorkeling, we’re typically going to be in water over 10-feet deep. You will not be able to stand up (which we wouldn’t want you to stand on reef anyway), which makes it very dangerous for someone who does not know how to swim. We are snorkeling in the open ocean with real currents and ever-changing conditions, it’s not the place to learn to swim.

Hawaii’s near-shore water temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year. The average water temperature is 74º F (23.3 C), with a summer high of 80º F (26.7º C). We do not provide any wetsuits, if that would make you more comfortable, we suggest you bring your own.

We don’t offer any scuba diving, only snorkeling. We recommend divers go out with with a scuba diving company to get the biggest bang for your buck. We specialize in sightseeing and snorkeling, so on these types of tours, scuba divers won’t get the full time under the surface that they’d be able to with a company devoted just to diving.

Yes, you will be issued a full refund if we must cancel due to weather. Wind and swell are what affect us the most and could cause a cancellation or change in route (you will be alerted of any route changes before boarding). We do not cancel tours due to rain unless thunder and lightning are a concern. Typically, it may be raining on land, but we usually avoid it when out on the water.

Congratulations! But, no, sorry, we do not allow any expectant mothers on our tours. During our tours we are often more than two hours away from any emergency assistance, which could be critical if any issues arose. A more common concern is seasickness, which can happen to the best of us, but is exacerbated for someone who is pregnant. Motion sickness and nausea could have severe effects on your body, potentially putting mom and baby at risk of extreme dehydration. In addition, we are on a wet, moving, vessel, so avoiding slips and falls are our priority, but can happen. There are just too many risks we are not willing to take, no matter what stage of pregnancy you are

Children 5 years of age and older are welcome to join on all the adventures we offer. We do not allow children younger than 5 primarily out of concern for their small bodies becoming impacted by motion sickness, and potentially becoming severely dehydrated. In addition, we have found that children younger than 5 years old may not enjoy the adventurous nature of our tours. Plus, children that young need constant supervision, which will prevent their parents from fully enjoying and experiencing all that the tour has to offer. If you are traveling with little ones, we suggest you find a sitter for the day so you can relax and enjoy an adventure on your own!

You will be held to full charges if you do not show up at your scheduled check-in time and location. To operate a morning and afternoon tour each day, we are held to very strict timeframes, and we can’t hold the boat for anyone arriving late. If you miss the boat and would like to reschedule to another day, if we have the space to accommodate you, we will move you to another day with a small rescheduling fee.

No. Our vessels have rails and/or are designed to prevent anyone from going overboard accidently. We do not require anyone to wear a life vest or jacket while moving about the vessel, but if you feel more comfortable for your child to wear something, then a water-ski vest works best for ease of movement, please bring your own. We have life jackets on board, but they are Coast Guard regulated PFD’s (Personal Flotation Device) which are bulky and uncomfortable to wear in any non-life-threatening situation.

Yes, we do allow service animals on our tours, but there are some things to keep in mind: animals can get seasickness just like humans. If your service animal hasn’t been on a vessel before, our tour may not be a good fit for them. We do not have any relief areas for animals to utilize, which may be critical depending on the length of the tour. Also, the animal must always be in the handler’s control, and we’ll need you to be cautious of the animal and their leash posing a safety hazard for other passengers and crew as we have narrow aisles, and it can be difficult when getting around a moving vessel. We request you disclose the necessity of a service animal at time of booking so we can discuss the logistics and options for your tour and vessel. We may need more information about the medical condition that is requiring the service animal so we can ensure your safety based on the tour and conditions.

Pacemakers and defibrillators are allowed on all tours, but please disclose all medical conditions, recent injuries/surgeries or other accommodations needed so we can assure the tour/day is appropriate to ensure your comfort and safety.

Our tours are all about your experience. Having a drone flying on and off the vessel can be a disturbance to the tour, in addition to a major safety risk for all passengers. Also, if your drone were to malfunction while it’s over the water, we would hate for it to end up in the ocean. Most drones are made to go back to their home base if they lose connection, but we are a moving platform so the base will not be in the same place as when the drone took off. More importantly, it is illegal (unless you apply for special permits) to operate a drone in certain areas we visit, including near the military base and Napali Coast. Underwater drones are also prohibited on all our tours. They disrupt the marine life and are a risk to those swimming or snorkeling in the water.

Yes, all of our vessels are equipped with restrooms. Our marine heads (restrooms) are minimal, but effective.

• Our boats have shade available inside the cabin area. The cabin is open on one side so there is airflow.
• We recommend using our reef-safe sunscreen to protect yourself during your boat tour. We provide some complimentary on-board for you to try. We also highly recommend wearing hats and clothing that provides SPF protection.

• Due to the non-skid surface on our vessels, being barefoot provides you the best natural grip, in addition to keeping our decks nice and clean. The captain may make an exception if you have a medical condition that requires you to keep your footwear on. Please mention this at booking time or when you check-in so you can speak with the captain, as it’s a case-by-case basis. In cases where someone keeps their shoes on, it may be requested that you stay seated for most of the tour.
• We will collect your footwear just before boarding the vessel and they will be returned immediately after disembarking.

We have PFD’s (Personal Floatation Devices) that are Coast Guard issued. These are big and bulky, and used for emergency purposes only. These are uncomfortable to wear out of the water and are not used during snorkeling. They are made specifically to keep your head out of the water and will only be distributed in an emergency. If you would like to wear a life jacket during the tour, we suggest you bring your own.

We pride ourselves on having one of the fastest fleets, but speed is always relative to ocean conditions. Safety is our priority, and we will only go as fast as deemed safe by the captain. Holoholo has a cruising speed of 20-23 knots, but the fastest speed is 27 knots. Leila has a cruising speed of 15-18 knots, max 20 knots under motor power, but when under sail up to 15 knots.

• Because everybody is affected differently it’s recommended that, for those that know they are prone to motion sickness as well as those that may have concerns about it, you take a motion sickness preventative medication ahead of time. If you are unsure if you get motion sickness, you may want to consider taking something just in case. There are many medications and natural remedies available at a local pharmacy or grocery store and we have some options available for purchase at check-in. Follow directions as some medications suggest taking it hours in advance of your tour.
• We also know many home remedies that sometimes help and will offer our suggestions if motion sickness affects you on tour. Most importantly, speak up and inform the crew at the first signs of motion sickness, early intervention is key. They can provide ice, ginger ale, soda crackers and ginger candies to help alleviate some symptoms and move you to a better location on-board. In general, prepare for your tour by getting a good night’s rest and avoid alcohol and acidic beverages like orange juice and coffee, as those are known to aggravate an upset stomach.

We discourage anyone with severe seasickness from joining us on tour. Even on the nicest days, seasickness can occur, especially in our open-ocean location. If you decide to do a tour, decide what you are comfortable doing. Anyone who has been sick knows it is a miserable experience and being trapped on a boat for 3-7 hours can be very uncomfortable. We do not turn around early for seasickness, so understand that you are committing to the tour. Plan ahead and take a motion sickness preventative, but know it is not a guarantee. Our vessels were built and designed right here on Kauai with our weather and ocean patterns in mind, so if you are hoping to do a boat tour our vessels are the best option available, but each situation is unique.