Napali Coast & Niihau Snorkel Tours: Holo Holo Review
We sailed all three Holo Holo tours out of Port Allen: the Napali & Niihau Supertour, the snorkel sail, and the sunset dinner cruise. I will share prices, what’s included, and which one to book for your Napali Coast tour! When you’re on Kauai, touring the Napali Coast is a must-do activity in our humble opinion.
A quick note: we’ve included a few affiliate links below. Booking through them costs you nothing extra and sends a small commission our way, which helps us keep writing free Hawaii guides. We only ever link to things we’d recommend to a friend. Mahalo! Read about our affiliate policies here.
Activity Overview
Out of the three Holo Holo Charter tours from Port Allen, my favorite was the Napali Coast Snorkel Excursion. This is the best size and length snorkel day tour you can take on the Napali Coast. Plus, the price is a good value for the waterslide, luxury catamaran, food, and open bar.
The Ni’ihau Snorkel Tour was super memorable because it was a bucket-list item for my husband, Jordan, to see The Forbidden Island up close. For snorkel enthusiasts and history buffs, the Ni’ihau supertour is the one for you.
The Sunset Dinner Cruise is for those who want to see the Napali Coast in a more peaceful, romantic way. We did this tour with Jordan’s parents, and we all loved it. Not too romantic for me, but still an experience that we will always remember! Note: The dinner cruise is more popular as it is 3.5 hours, compared to 4.5 hours for the sail.
The Three Holo Holo Tours Compared
Here is a quick list to help you decide which Napali Coast tour is best for you! I am so glad you’re interested in a Napali Coast tour, as we consider it a must-do on Kauai.
| The Niʻihau & Nāpali Snorkel Expedition | The Nāpali Coast Snorkel Excursion | Sunset Dinner Cruise, Napali Coast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From $295/adult, $275/child | From $235/adult, $215/child | From $220/adult, $200/child |
| Duration & Check-in | 7 hrs: Extended Half Day Check-in as early as 6:00 AM | 5 hrs: Half Day Check-in as early as 6:45 AM | 3.5 to 4.5 hrs: Evening Check-in as early as 2:00 PM |
| Vessel | Holoholo: 65′ powered catamaran | Leila: 50′ motorized sailing catamaran | Holoholo (cruise) or Leila (sail) |
| Snorkeling | Yes, snorkeling at Lehua Crater offshore Ni’ihau | Yes, under the Napali cliffs, and there’s a waterslide! | No |
| Food & Drinks | Breakfast & lunch + nonalcoholic beverages, plus local beer, wine, and hard seltzers included | Breakfast & lunch + local beer, wine, and hard seltzers included. | Appetizer & dinner + beer, wine, hard seltzers, soft drinks, and Mai Tais |
| Best For… | Adventurous travelers looking for Kauai’s biggest offshore experience with marine life | Families, couples, and groups looking for a balanced Nāpali Coast adventure with snorkeling, sailing, and dolphins | Couples, families, photographers, celebrations, and anyone looking for a different kind of dinner plan on Kauai |
- Minimum age is 5 years old
- For safety reasons, they do not allow expectant mothers on their tours
- Nāpali Coast tours take place in the open ocean, often more than 90 minutes from emergency assistance. Conditions can be unpredictable, with movement, sea spray, and the potential for a rough ride. Hence, it is safest not to go if you’re pregnant or your children are too young.
- See our full Guide to Visiting the Napali Coast for details.
Out of all the Napali Coast tour companies on Kauai, why do we recommend Holo Holo Charters?
You will see many tour companies during your research. Competition is fierce on the Napali Coast.
We have always recommended Holo Holo Charters as we’ve had such a wonderful time on their tours. And so do all our readers and viewers who have gone out with them. We have never received a complaint in over seven years of recommending them.
We also like them for the following reasons:
- Custom-made boats built for Napali Coast conditions, which means less seasickness onboard!
- Premium food and drinks
- Experienced captain and crew
- Unique tours that provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the Napali Coast. No one else can take you this close to Ni’ihau!
Napali Coast & Niihau Snorkeling Supertour
Step aboard Holo Holo’s 65-foot powered catamaran for a 7-hour snorkeling and sightseeing adventure. The tour begins with a cruise up the Napali coast before heading over to Niihau, the Forbidden Island, for snorkeling. Meanwhile, the experienced captain and crew share the area’s history and highlights.
We had a blast on this tour. Jordan brought his dad, sister-in-law, and her husband out on the all-day expedition to the Napali Coast and the Forbidden Island of Ni’ihau. It was Jordan’s dream to get close to the Forbidden Island after learning so much of its history.
Check out our video below to hear about our experience on the Ni’ihau snorkeling tour.
Napali Coast and Niihau Snorkel Tour Highlights
- 7-hour tour departing from Port Allen, near Waimea and Hanapepe
- Cruise up the Napali Coast before heading to Niihau
- Continental breakfast and deli-style lunch are provided
- Beer, wine, and cocktails are available after snorkeling
- Snorkeling off the coast of Niihau at Lehua Crater, a small crescent-shaped crater 0.7 miles off the coast of Niihau
- This is a long day on the water, with a lot of time boating. I would recommend the Napali Coast Snorkel Excursion below if a 5-hour tour sounds better.
- Children 5 and up are welcome on the tour
Niihau Snorkel Tour Details
You’re up and at ’em very early for your 6 am departure. But the early start time doesn’t matter because you’re about to see two special sites accessible only by boat: the Napali Coast and Niihau. This super tour first takes you cruising up the Napali Coast, where you’ll get a view of the staggering (and stunning) cliffs of the Napali Coast.
What is it like to snorkel near Ni’ihau?
Next, you’ll head to the coast of Ni’ihau, a private island that is dedicated to preserving the rich Hawaiian culture. While you aren’t allowed on the island, the crew goes to Lehua Crater. The crater is 0.7 miles offshore of Ni’ihau, providing excellent views of the island.
You will get great pictures at the keyhole formation in the crater wall. Then, you will moor at a premium snorkeling spot.
Everyone in the water for interesting rock and lava formations, lots of fish and marine life, and Jordan saw numerous turtles while snorkeling.
Napali Coast Snorkel & Sail Tour
We brought our son Henry on this adventure. From watching Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins play (there was a baby dolphin!) to snorkeling to their waterslide, this trip was unforgettable.
But let us not forget about those Napali Coast views! Watch our experience below to see if this trip is right for you.
This tour is best for families, couples, and groups looking for a balanced Nāpali Coast adventure with snorkeling, sailing, dolphins, sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, flying fish, and humpback whales (December – April). It is a shorter day on the water compared to their Ni’ihau snorkel day.
The Napali Coast Snorkel Excursion is Holo Holo Charters’ most popular tour, and for good reason. It offers a balanced experience: see the Napali Coast while getting some adventure with snorkeling.
About the Napali Coast Snorkel & Sail
Head out on a sailing adventure up the Napali Coast! Your knowledgeable crew will take you from Port Allen up the coast while you take in the dramatic view of the cliffs and secluded beaches along the shoreline.
What’s included on this tour:
- 5-hour sightseeing and snorkeling tour aboard Leila, a 50-foot motorized sailing catamaran
- Guided exploration of the Nāpali Coast
- One captain-selected swim and snorkel stop, conditions permitting
- Snorkeling equipment, flotation devices, instruction, and in-water crew support
- Leila’s onboard waterslide
- Sailing when conditions permit. We sailed back from the Kalaulau Valley, the end of the Napali Coast for this tour.
- Continental breakfast, deli-style lunch, snacks, and cookies
- Juices, purified water, and soft drinks
- Beer, wine, and hard seltzers after snorkeling
- Captain and crew narration featuring Kauaʻi’s history, legends, geology, and wildlife
- Opportunities to spot dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and seasonal humpback whales
- Reef-safe sunscreen
What’s not included
- Towels or a change of clothes
- Sun-protective or water-resistant clothing
- Motion-sickness medication, available for purchase at check-in
Depending on the conditions for the day, your captain will pick a great snorkeling spot. After the crew gives you some snorkeling best practices, you’ll grab your gear and go! You have approximately 50 minutes in the water for snorkeling. Don’t forget to take a trip down the waterslide!
Back on the boat, it’s time for a deli-style lunch. If the conditions are right, the captain will put up the sail as you cruise back to port. Water, juice, and soft drinks are served throughout the day, but they’ll start serving beer and wine only after snorkeling.
Five hours will fly by as you check out the varied marine life and crystal-clear water!
Napali Coast Sunset Dinner Sail & Cruise
- Departs From: Kauai – Port Allen (West Side)
- Duration: 3.5 hours for the cruise and 4.5 hours for the sail
- Included in the price: Wine, beer, juice, Mai Tai drinks, pupus (appetizers), buffet dinner, and dessert. Holo Holo’s signature Koloa Rum Mai Tai is included.
- Sunset dinner tour is best for couples, families, photographers, celebrations, and anyone looking for a different kind of dinner plan on Kauaʻi.
Looking for a memorable dinner experience on Kauai? Head out on the water to get stunning views of the famous Napali Coast. You’ll be cruising on Holo Holo’s 65′ catamaran (Dinner Cruise) or their 50′ motorized sailing catamaran (Dinner Sail). Both navigate the sometimes bumpy waters with ease.
Pro tip: Head to the back of the boat if you aren’t interested in a bumpy, wet ride. Stay upfront if you want more of an adventure cruise.
During your time onboard, you’ll have access to an open bar with beer, wine, and Mai Tai cocktails as well as juice and water. And don’t worry, there’s plenty to eat.
You’ll enjoy appetizers, a delicious dinner, and dessert while you’re out on the water. Make sure your camera is fully charged because the photos that you get on this tour will last a lifetime. The sunset tour is the best for photographs of the Napali Coast.
We did this trip with Jordan’s parents over 10 years ago, and we still have the framed photo of us all in front of the impressive coastline. We sat up front, so we were drenched but smiling through the entire experience.
Sunset Sail vs Dinner Cruise
The main difference between Holo Holo Charter’s sunset tours is the vessel and overall pace of the experience.
Both tours follow the same route along the Nāpali Coast and include the same dinner, drinks, storytelling, and overall experience.
The sunset dinner cruise is the more popular option.
The 3.5-hour Nāpali Sunset Dinner Tour is operated on Holoholo, their 65-foot powered catamaran, offering the fastest route to and from the coastline. The 4.5-hour Nāpali Sunset Sail is operated on Leila, their 50-foot motorized sailing catamaran. Because Leila travels at a slower pace, they allow extra time to reach the coast. When conditions permit, they raise the sails for a more traditional, relaxed sailing experience.
Departing from Port Allen, Kauai
Most Napali Coast tours depart from Port Allen. Port Allen is on the West Side, near the historic town of Hanapepe. It is a convenient departure location for visitors staying in Poipu, Kapa’a, and Princeville.
Here are Google Maps directions to the tours’ parking lot at Port Allen: Port Allan Parking.
Driving distances from Kauai where to stay destinations to Port Allen from…
- Princeville: 90 minutes
- Kapa’a Town (East Side): 65 minutes
- Lihu’e: 30 minutes
- Poipu: 22 minutes
Pro Tip: Watch for morning rush-hour traffic through Kapa’a and Lihue for early-morning tours like the Ni’ihau and Napali Coast Snorkeling Tours.
Port Allen vs Hanalei
Port Allen offers tours year-round. This makes Port Allen the most optimal location for tours, even for people staying in Princeville or Hanalei.
Tours departing from Hanalei on the North Shore run in the summer, from May through October.
Port Allen tours are usually cheaper than Hanalei tours. Hanalei tours charge more, I believe, because they depart so close to the Napali Coast.
We share our shortlist of Napali Coast from Hanalei Tours here.
Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor is another great option for tours! Most tours that depart from the small boat harbor are power rafting tours. We went out on this Napali Coast Sea Caves Tour from Kikiaola Harbor.
Before You Book: The Boat, Seasickness, and Kids
Here are answers to the three most common concerns we get about taking a Napali Coast or Ni’ihau snorkeling tour.
The Boats
The most stable catamaran tour in Hawaii has got to be the Napali Coast with Holo Holo.
Holo Holo has the upper hand when it comes to tours on the Napali Coast. Their boats are locally built on Kauai to handle the waves on the Napali Coast. In our experience, the return trip, and when the boat stops for pictures, is when rocking is the worst.
The Napali Coast can get windy and have large waves, especially during the winter. It is comforting to know that Holo Holo has such stable catamarans.
Napali Coast Boat Tour Seasickness
Holo Holo’s stable catamarans help minimize seasickness. It won’t eliminate it for all guests.
On every tour we’ve taken with Holo Holo and on power rafts, someone has gotten sick. It is usually on the return trip to Port Allen.
Napali coast boat tour seasickness or motion sickness: If you’re prone to motion sickness, or unsure, take preventative medication before your tour. Some medicines recommend taking it the night before.
If you regularly experience severe seasickness, a Napali coast boat tour may not be the best fit. While many guests manage well with preventive medication, it’s not guaranteed, and tours range from 3 to 7 hours, with no option to return early due to seasickness.
Best Napali Coast Boat Tour for Kids
The Napali Coast Snorkel Excursion is the best Napali Coast boat tour for kids. It allows children aged 5 and older. That is a young starting point, but it’s thanks to their stable catamarans.
The tour goes out on the Leila, their sailing catamaran. The nets on the front, the waterslide, and the large shaded galley make for a fun tour for the kids.
Our son had a blast on this tour. Going under waterfalls, playing on the waterslide, and breaking up the 5-hour tour with snorkeling all made for a fun experience for the whole family.
The biggest drawback is the child price (5 to 12 years old) isn’t much of a discount. The 6 am check-in time is a little tough too! Consider doing this tour early in your trip so jet lag works for you.
Napali Coast Snorkel & Sail FAQs
What is the best time to see whales?
Humpback whale season is from November through March. Humpback whales do not have a specific time of the day that they are more active, so you can see them at any time throughout the day. Sometimes they get lucky and see different types of whales throughout the year.
This is not a whale-watching tour but if they see whales, which is common along the Napali, they will stop to view.
Do I need a wetsuit?
Wetsuits aren’t needed on Kauai, but if you get cold easily, you can rent or buy one from an outside vendor, as they don’t carry wetsuits. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, and a dry change of clothes for after snorkeling.
If I can’t swim, can I snorkel?
They do not recommend snorkeling for non-swimmers. All their snorkel locations are in areas that are overhead deep, so “wading” or standing up on the bottom isn’t possible. This makes it a danger to non-swimmers.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Tour routes and destinations cannot be guaranteed as sometimes the weather does impact their itinerary. If they expect the need to alter the route or are unable to snorkel due to weather or ocean conditions, they will provide as much notice as possible.
Their captains are knowledgeable and experienced with Kauai weather and ocean conditions. If the captain has any concerns, they will come to the office after check-in to let you know. Captains will then offer you the option to reschedule or cancel at no charge. Winter (November – February) ocean swells tend to affect tours the most, as the Napali Coast is on the northwest side of the island.
What about seasickness?
It is a possibility, especially if you are sensitive to motion. If you are not sure, we recommend an over-the-counter treatment. Better to be safe than sorry.
About Holo Holo Charters
With over 25 years in business, Holo Holo Charters is an exceptionally run business that provides a great customer experience while also supporting Hawaii’s ecotourism goals. They provide high-quality education to guests about marine life while respecting it and keeping it safe. The company owner designed and built all their boats on Kauai, and the company is locally owned and operated. When you sail with Holo Holo, you support the local economy and a business committed to caring for the environment.
Holo Holo also provides an exceptional experience for its guests. The crew is experienced and takes pride in sharing their knowledge with visitors.
We are affiliate partners with Holo Holo Charters, 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!
