Kauai Snorkeling Tour from Poipu: Raft Adventure
My son and I saw turtles and whales on this Kauai snorkeling tour from Poipu! Conveniently located 10 minutes from Poipu hotels, the tour will take you to two snorkel sites (location depends on the weather) for epic Kauai snorkeling. Enjoy the speed and splashes on a Zodiac raft. Small group tour of 14 passengers!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.
Activity Overview
Kauai Snorkeling Tour from Poipu Highlights
- 3-hour duration
- Offered at 8:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm daily
- The Zodiac power rafting tour departs from Kukuiʻula Harbor Beach on Kauai’s South Shore. A 7-minute drive from Poipu Beach.
- The tour first meets at the Historic Koloa Plantation Building (click for directions) in Koloa Town—about 10 minutes from Poipu Beach.
- A maximum of 14 guests makes for a small group experience. There were only four of us on our tour!
- Hop on a south shore snorkel tour without committing to a full day on the water like a Napali Coast snorkel tour.
- Learn about local wildlife and history from your guides
- Snorkel Sheraton Caverns, as it is home to turtles. AKA, Honu Hale (House of Turtles). The captain will pick two spots based on the snorkel and ocean conditions. They try to do 30 to 40 minutes of snorkeling at each spot.
- The tour includes light snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and quality snorkel gear with flotation devices. Bring towels and sun protective clothing! They provide dry bags for each guest.
- Snorkel in calm waters: suitable for all levels of experience. Being a swimmer is not required.
- Children 5 and older are welcome
Kauai Snorkeling Tour Details
Kauai is known for its Napali Coast boat tours: snorkel tours, sunset cruises, and more. But those tours can be six to ten hours, so if you’re looking for a three-hour tour, then this is perfect for you.
This snorkel tour leaves from South Shore Kauai, near Poipu.
My son, Henry (6 yrs old), and I had a wonderful time out on this tour. My favorite part was the interesting snorkel locations. The first location was Sheraton Caves, where we saw five or six (I lost count) sea turtles. We could see some from the raft before we got in the water.
The second location didn’t have sea turtles, but it was a unique spot with rock formations and a reef. As the other couple on our tour said, “it had the most fish I’ve ever seen!”
In terms of marine life, you can expect to encounter occasional Hawaiian spinner dolphins, many turtles, and an abundance of exotic Hawaiian reef fish and eels.
We saw whales on our tour as we went in mid-March, the end of whale season. We had two groups of mom and calf just off our raft. Lots of blowholes and flukes. Whale season on Kauai is December through March, here are our favorite Kauai whale tours if you only want to do whale watching.
You’ll be taking off on a Zodiac raft, which is known for its speed and maneuverability, meaning less motion sickness on Kauai’s rougher waters. The power raft was my six year old son’s favorite part. He called it a Hawaiian roller coast as the raft can go 40+ knots. It was an adventure. You may get some splashes and hold onto the ropes!
Guided snorkeling from the shore! We haven’t done this tour but it is from the same company. If the open ocean isn’t for you, we love recommending shore snorkeling tours for visitors. Check out their Ultimate Guided Shore Snorkeling Adventure.
This tour departs from Koloa, just 5 minutes north of Poipu, making it extremely convenient for anyone staying on the South Shore of Kauai.
If you’re visiting during whale season (December to May) be sure to check out their whale-watching tour!
Kauai Snorkeling Adventure FAQ
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations need to be made 24 hours in advance (based on HST) for a full refund. Tours canceled by the operator based on poor weather or not meeting the guest minimum will be refunded or rescheduled per the guest’s preference.
Will I get seasick?
Although the chance of seasickness is lessened on a quicker raft like a Zodiac, it’s definitely still possible. If you’re prone to seasickness, it’s always best to take the appropriate medication as directed before going out on any boat tours.
What should I bring?
- Towel
- Sunscreen (reef-safe)
- A light jacket for the early morning tour
- You’ll be provided a dry bag for personal belongings
What are the guest restrictions?
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- No travelers with recent surgeries of any kind
- Not recommended for travelers with severe motion sickness
- Due to Insurance, no pregnancies (no matter how far along) are permitted on the boat. If you are pregnant, consider the “Guided Shore Snorkel” instead.
- Not for travelers exceeding 300 lbs. Due to safety and physical constraints, they must follow a strict weight LIMIT of 300 lbs or less.
- Not for people with mobility issues
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Participants must be comfortable swimming in the ocean
Know Before You Go Snorkel Safety
Swimming and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean should not be taken lightly. To keep you safe, please know your health limits, swim with a buddy, never turn your back on the ocean, and read and obey posted signs. Check HIOceanSafety.com for ocean conditions at lifeguard beaches.
Is there a restroom on board?
No, there is no restroom on the zodiac rafts, so be sure to go right before departing for the tour.
Do they provide pickup/dropoff?
Z Tourz does not provide any transportation to or from the tour, so guests must arrange their own.
About Z Tourz
Established in 1999, Kauai Z Tourz has explored the Na Pali Coastline of Kauai with visitors and kama’aina. They specialize in the gentle waters off Kauai’s southern coast with their snorkeling and whale-watching tours. They run their tours from their 25-foot rigid hull inflatable vessel which is approved for 14 passengers and 2 crew members.
We are affiliate partners with Z Tour which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here. Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!