Coral Jade

Coral+Jade

Kauai Snorkel And Sail Tours By Nā Pali Catamaran, Raft, And More!

Kauai Sailing and Snorkel Adventures along the universally-renowned Nā Pali Coast are the only means of truly enjoying this majestic wonderland along 17 miles the island's northwest shore.

Best appreciated from the sea, beautiful three-thousand-foot cliffs, secluded waterfalls tumbling into emerald valleys, and hidden marine caves and beaches are all part of the Nā Pali Coast. It’s no wonder it’s known as "The Jewel of Kauai", or that it offers some of the best Hawaii snorkeling and sailing tours.

With nearly a a hundred inches of rain a year and the Kalalau Trail providing the only land access to this enchanted region, Kauai’s famous coast remains much the same as it did ages past when native Hawaiian settlements grew taro in its valleys.

While the scenery is incredible from the deck of a vessel sailing the Nā Pali Coast, that will give you only part of the experience. Take up a mask, snorkel and fins, and get ready to be blown away by the panorama of marine fauna just below the ocean’s surface.

There are amazing coral reefs decorated by sea urchins, crustaceans, mollusks and marine flora in this new world beneath the surface, and you'll likely find Hawaiian green sea turtles, over a hundred brightly colored reef fish, eels, and cephalods (that’s octopusi for the non-zoologists).

But remember that in order to preserve this pristine marine paradise, don’t make contact with coral with your fingers, elbows, knees or fins. Most importantly, do not to stand or walk on reefs. And, of course, don’t feed the local wildlife!

Port Allen Harbor and Kikiaola Harbor on the southwest shore are the departure points for a range of services which offer over 5 hours of sail and Snorkel adventures along the Nā Pali Coast. All of these boast fantastic sightseeing, incredible snorkeling, and an exquisite buffet lunch with drinks.

One of the faster Nā Pali catamaran adventures is aboard the “Leila”, which specializes in true trade wind sailing, as all HoloHolo Charter Tours do. It can reach up to eighteen knots, getting you to the Nā Pali Coast faster for more snorkel time. Along the way, you’ll have spectacular views of mysterious caves, striking sea cliffs, and verdant valleys.

HoloHolo also offers a morning tour on their namesake craft, a 65-foot catamaran, where they provide a continental breakfast on the way. After seeing the sights and learning the history of the region from the well-versed crew, you’ll head west across the Kaulakahi Channel to the "Forbidden Island" of Niihau. Anchoring offshore of this mysterious island, snorkeling and a picnic lunch ensue in a location that very few people have ever visited. Port Allen is the departure place for both of HoloHolo’s tours.

Liko Snorkel's "Nā Pali Kai III" boards from the Kikiaola small boat harbor, the closest harbor to the Nā Pali Coast. It is a comfortable forty-nine-foot powered catamaran tour which features clear views of the coast’s valleys, caves and colossal sea cliffs, it moves quickly. All seating is forward facing and padded for comfort. On this five-hour Nā Pali Kauai Snorkeling trip, you will experience numerous sea caves, including Pirate’s Cave (Waiahuakua), Rainbow Falls and the famous Honopu Archway where King Kong was filmed.

Capt. Andy's also provides mind-blowing five to six hour rafting-snorkeling adventures to Kauai's Nā Pali Coast. Aboard agile sea rafts visitors leave the modern world at the door, darting in and out of sea caves, plunging through the bellies of cascading waterfalls and encountering the Nā Pali Coast’s soaring peaks and majestic valleys. A picnic lunch on a remote beach is another pleasure which awaits after you snorkel a coral reef, learn of Kauai's rich history, navigate spectacular sea caves and discover abundant wildlife.