11 Incredible Kauai Shore Excursions (perfect for a cruise schedule)
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The enchanting island of Kauai is a tropical paradise for nature lovers. With an awe-inspiring mix of valleys, rivers, and rainforests, Kauai shore excursions are perfect for nature-loving adventurers.
And, even though you may only have a day or two to spend here on your cruise, we have some highly recommended Kauai shore excursions that will allow you to make the most of your time on the island.
Make this your one-stop shop for planning your Hawaii cruise vacation!
Check out more shore excursions for your other cruise ports:
– Big Island Shore Excursions
– Honolulu Shore Excursions
– Maui Shore Excursions
Grab a Cruising Hawaii Guide to get everything you need for your Hawaii cruise planning in one place. With full self-guided excursion days, tours, the best beaches, amazing restaurants, and so much more.
Can’t Miss Kauai Shore Excursions
Want to make the most out of your time on Kauai? Here are our short list of can’t miss Kauai shore excursions to add to your bucket list. If you are on Norwegian’s Pride of America then you will be able to stay late on the first day. Perfect for a luau or a sunset sail on the Napali Coast.
- Napali Coast Tour: Explore one of the island’s most remote and most beautiful landscapes! Our favorite is the snorkel and sail tour, but you can also book a helicopter, airplane, or hiking tour.
- Mountain Tubing: Enjoy a thrilling tubing adventure around the scenic Lihue Plantation.
- Waimea Canyon: Visit this lush oasis of valleys on a hiking tour of Waimea Canyon.
Kauai Shore Excursion Tips
If you’re arriving in Kauai on the Norwegian’s Pride of America, you’ll have practically two full days to explore this beautiful island. This gives you plenty of time to take part in multiple excursions and do a late-night excursion like a luau or sunset sail.
Thankfully, ships dock at Nawiliwili Harbor, which is centrally located next to many of Kauai’s top attractions. Click here for directions to Nawiliwili Harbor.
Because you have extra time, Kauai is a great place to do things you can’t do at other ports of call. For example, you can take a full-day tour, stay on land to watch the sunset, or go on a long hiking adventure. You can also go to a luau (the three we recommend are a 10 to 30-minute drive), as they tend to be more traditional and intimate compared to the other islands.
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Hawaii cruise ports so you know what to expect at each stop. Some ports are central to a downtown area where you could spend all day (Kailua Pier) and others are far from anything you’ll want to do (Kahului Harbor).
For travelers who’d rather see the island on their own, we highly recommend booking a rental car for your stay. This will be much cheaper than relying on taxis or Ubers to take you to the different sights. We have a few recommendations for discount rental car companies if you choose to go down this route.
Having a rental car gives you a lot of flexibility – which can be a blessing or a curse! If you need help narrowing down your options of what to do, then check out our Cruising Hawaii Guide for a detailed self-guided itinerary.
There’s a lot to see on the island, but these are a few spots that you won’t want to miss. Click the location name for Google Map directions.
- Lihue: 5 minutes from the harbor
- Waimea Canyon: 1 hour from the harbor
- Poipu on Kauai’s South Shore: 20 minutes from the harbor
- Hanalei on Kauai’s North Shore: 50 minutes from the harbor
Get the Cruising Hawaii Guide
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island.
The Cruising Hawaii Guide provides everything you need to plan your trip, including 90+ shore excursion tour options, over 11 self-guided itinerary days, our favorite restaurants, and the best beaches. We want your cruise to Hawaii to be unforgettable, and stress-free.
Add the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary to your cart with coupon code CRUISE to save $7.
Where to Book Kauai Shore Excursions
Booking Kauai Shore Excursions with the Ship
If you decide to book an excursion, then you have the possibility to do so with the cruise ship. Here are a few benefits of booking a tour with the cruise line:
- Guaranteed Return: Tours organized by the ship are scheduled to bring you back before departure. While this isn’t a big deal on the first day, it is a nice guarantee if you’re planning to explore the second day.
- Transportation: These excursions usually include transportation to and from the dock, so there’s no need to worry about arranging your own taxi or ride share.
- Cost: Kauai excursions aren’t cheap, especially if you book through the cruise line. But since they include transportation and a guaranteed return, we think this extra cost is justifiable!
- Refunds: The weather and ocean conditions around Kauai can change in an instant. If the ship is not allowed to dock, then they’ll refund the cost of the excursion.
- Booking Flexibility: Not sure if you want to do an organized tour? Don’t worry! You can book this online before the ship sets sail or once you’re aboard. Just know they can fill up fast through the ship.
Booking Kauai Shore Excursions with the Tour Operator
There are some huge benefits to booking your tour directly with the local tour operator on Kauai. However, one of the biggest disadvantages is not having a guaranteed return back to the ship. If you are running late, it is crucial to call the cruise to let them know you’re on your way!
But don’t let the fear of missing the ship deter you! Here are some reasons why we recommend booking with the tour operator:
- Supporting Local Businesses: Unlike booking a tour with the ship (where the cruise line takes a commission), arranging a tour on land means the company keeps all the profits. This is great for supporting the local community in Kauai!
- Cost Savings: Tours are generally more affordable when not booked through the middleman. If you are on a budget, then booking with the tour operator is going to be the more affordable option.
- Availability: Cruise ship tours are limited and can sell out. If your favorite excursion is booked, you can find more tour options on land.
- Small Groups: These tours usually have much smaller groups than the ones organized by the tour. In our experience, there are usually no more than 12 people on the excursion.
- Cancellation Policy: One thing to keep in mind is the company’s cancellation policy. Depending on the operator, most tours will allow you to cancel anywhere from 72 to 24 hours in advance.
If you’re traveling with mobility or accessibility needs, rest easy knowing Hawaii has you in mind. We have a complete guide to Hawaii Handicap Accessible Trip Planning so you know what to expect (a whole lot of aloha).
The Best Kauai Shore Excursions
When it comes to the different types of Kauai shore excursions, the options are seemingly endless. To help point you in the right direction, we will be sharing trusted and reputable tour operators, most of whom we’ve been out with ourselves.
Remember, if you’re on Norwegian’s Pride of America, you’ll have two days on Kauai. That means you can take advantage of sunset or late tours on your first day and early morning or all-day tours on your second day.
Click the links below to learn more about the tour and to book directly with the local, Kauai tour operator.
Napali + Ni’ihau Snorkel Tour
Explore two of Kauai’s most sought-after destinations in one day! Your tour starts with a cruise up the striking Napali Coast before making your way to Ni’ihau, the Forbidden Island, a private invite-only island where you’ll stop to go snorkeling just offshore Ni’ihau at a volcanic crater.
You won’t be allowed on the island, but it’s a really cool experience to get close to a place that hasn’t been touched by modern conveniences like power, plumbing, phones, or paved roads.
This tour can only be done if you’re docked on Kauai overnight, as it starts bright and early at 6:00 am. Unfortunately, no transportation is included, so you’ll need to make sure you give yourself at least 30 minutes to make your way there.
Napali Coast Sunset and Dinner Cruise
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion (or just celebrating the fact that you’re in Hawaii!), this Napalia Coast sunset cruise is guaranteed to be a memorable experience. On this 3.5-hour journey, you’ll get to soak in the spectacular views while enjoying appetizers, dinner, and drinks.
The boat leaves from Port Allen (30 minutes from the cruise terminal) at 2:30pm, and you’ll be required to arrange your own transportation.
Helicopter Tour of the Napali Coast
Roughly 80% of Kauai is inaccessible by foot or car, leaving stretches of wilderness completely untouched by tourism. You’ll be able to see parts of the island that few tourists ever do on this 1-hour helicopter ride of the Napali Coast!
When you book this private helicopter tour, you can choose whether you want to have the doors on or off (if you’re feeling extra adventurous)! All flights leave from the Lihue Airport, which is just a short 5-minute drive away from the cruise ship harbor.
Flight over Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon
Another option to see the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon from the air is by plane. This scenic flight lasts 1-hour and takes you over the iconic cliffs, beaches, and jungles that Kauai is famous for. It’s also more affordable compared to the helicopter tour, as it’s a group flight with up to 6 passengers.
There are multiple tour times to choose from, and all of them leave from the nearby Lihue Airport.
Napali Coast Snorkel and Sail
For a fun family day out, the Napali Coast Snorkel and Sail tour is an awesome way to spend your day on Kauai. Departing from Port Allen, your catamaran will travel up to the Napali Coast where you’ll get to snorkel in the ocean for 50 minutes. After lunch and drinks (which are included), you’ll continue your sailing journey until the early afternoon.
Transportation is not included with this tour so make sure to arrange for a ride ahead of time. Because of the 7:30 am start time, this trip can only be done on the second day if your cruise is docked overnight.
We share the 5 Best Napali Coast boat tours here.
More things to do on Kauai!
- The 12 Best Things to Do in Hanalei: Kauai’s Rugged North Shore
- The 20 Best Things to Do in Poipu: Kauai’s South Shore
- 35 Things to Do on Kauai (we’ll surprise you!)
Full-Day Tour (North and East Shores) with Fern Grotto River Cruise
This full-day tour is the perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Your guide will take you to popular sights like Hanalei, the Sleeping Giant, the Kilauea Wildlife Refuge, and more! To top it off, you’ll also get to take a riverboat cruise to Fern Grotto, a lava rock cave covered in lush, green ferns!
Private Kauai Island Tours
If you’re cruising with a group or you just want a more personalized experience, there are two private excursions for you to choose from! The first tour explores the west and south coast of Kauai, with stops at Waimea Canyon and Poipu Beach amongst others. The other tour travels to the north and east sides of Kauai to see Opaeka’a Falls, Kilauea Lighthouse, and more.
Both tours last 7 hours and can be booked for up to 7 guests. Pick-up and drop-off can be at the terminal, which makes this the perfect excursion for cruise ship passengers.
Get the Cruising Hawaii Guide
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island.
The Cruising Hawaii Guide provides everything you need to plan your trip, including 90+ shore excursion tour options, over 11 self-guided itinerary days, our favorite restaurants, and the best beaches. We want your cruise to Hawaii to be unforgettable, and stress-free.
Add the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary to your cart with coupon code CRUISE to save $7.
Waimea Canyon
This half-day Kauai shore excursion tour picks you up right at the cruise terminal and whisks you away to Waimea Canyon State Park. It’s very similar to the Waimea Canyon excursion offered by NCL’s Pride of America ship but at a much more budget-friendly price!
Kauai Private Hiking Tours
Explore Kauai the way it was meant to be seen – on foot! You get to choose where you want to hike from 4 different routes. Explore the valleys of Koke’e State Park, admire the views from Waimea Canyon, or enjoy the lush landscape on the Kuilau Ridge Trail.
Hikes are with a professional guide and totally customized to your group. Best of all, pick-up is included at the terminal so you can get out in Mother Nature faster!
Wailua River Kayak and Hike to Secret Falls
Can’t decide between hiking or water sports for your Kauai shore excursion? On this guided tour, you can have both! Start with a 2-mile kayak down the Wailua River before hopping off for a moderate 1.5-mile hike. You’ll get to see the beauty of Kauai as well as the stunning 120-foot Uluwehi Falls!
Tours leave from Kapa’a, which is 15 minutes away from the harbor.
Surf Lessons
Perhaps the main item on your Kauai shore excursion’s list is surf lessons. Kauai is a great place to learn how to surf, and we know the best instructors to help you!
Ideal for beginner or intermediate surfers, Kauai Surf School offers private or group lessons. All lessons are 1.5 hours long, which gives you lots of time to hit the waves of Poipu Beach (30 minutes away by car)!
FAQ on Kauai Shore Excursions
Where do cruise ships dock for Kauai shore excursions?
Cruise ships arrive at Kauai’s Nawiliwili Harbor, located in the town of Lihue (southeastern coast near the airport).
Can I get picked up by taxi, Uber, or Lyft from the dock for my Kauai shore excursions?
Since most of these tours do not include transportation, you will need to take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to the excursion meeting point. You also have the option to rent a car from the Lihue Airport or from a rental car satellite office near the harbor.
We have more detailed information about rental car companies and other transportation options in our Cruising Hawaii Guide.
Do tour operators offer pickup at the dock?
Depending on your excursion, pick up and drop off at the cruise terminal may or may not be offered. If you don’t see this option listed on the website, you can always call the company to confirm.
What should I know about booking tours in Hawaii?
Before you book your excursion on Kauai (or anywhere else in Hawaii, for that matter), keep these tips in mind:
- It’s customary to tip your tour guides anywhere from $10 to $20 per person. However, this can be more or less depending on the level of service you received.
- Kauai is the rainiest island in Hawaii, and it’s possible that tours may be canceled due to bad or dangerous weather. Since variable weather is the norm on Kauai, many tours run rain or shine as long as it’s safe. Feel free to call the company or check with your cruise line to confirm if you’re worried about the weather.
- If you’re prone to seasickness, make sure to stock up on anti-nausea medication. This can be helpful on the cruise and on the smaller tour boats if you’re going out on the water!
- Many tours have age restrictions (usually guests need to be over 5 years old). Double-check this before booking your Kauai shore excursion if you have little ones with you.
Related reads:
- Can’t Miss Big Island Shore Excursions for Your Hawaii Cruise
- 14 Incredible Honolulu Shore Excursions (cruise ship ready)
- The Best Maui Shore Excursions
- The Best Time to Cruise Hawaii (Clouds, Crowds, and Cost)
If you want to know more about cruising around Hawaii, our Cruising Hawaii Guide is a valuable resource to have when planning your trip! Since Hawaii cruises are designed to maximize your limited time on land, you’ll want to arrive prepared. Even if you don’t want to do guided tours, this cruise itinerary is packed with self-guided excursion days, the best restaurants, beaches, and things to do.
Get the Cruising Hawaii Guide
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island.
The Cruising Hawaii Guide provides everything you need to plan your trip, including 90+ shore excursion tour options, over 11 self-guided itinerary days, our favorite restaurants, and the best beaches. We want your cruise to Hawaii to be unforgettable, and stress-free.
Add the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary to your cart with coupon code CRUISE to save $7.