Deciding to see Napali Coast by boat is an easy decision. Choosing the outfitter to go with is not. There are numerous boat-tour operators to choose from, and, quite frankly, they all do a good job. Before you even start thinking about who to go out with, answer these three questions: What kind of boat? Where am I staying? Morning or afternoon? Once you settle on these three, you can easily zero in on the tour outfitter.

First, the boat. The most important thing is to match you and your group's personality with the personality of the boat. If you like thrills and adventure, the rubber, inflatable rafts—often called Zodiacs, which Jacques Cousteau made famous and which the U.S. Coast Guard uses—will entice you. They're fast, sure to leave you drenched, and can get quite bouncy. If you prefer a smoother, more leisurely ride, then the large catamarans are the way to go. The next boat choice is size. Both the rafts and catamarans come in small and large. Again, think smaller: more adventurous; larger: more leisurely. Do not choose a smaller boat because you think there will be fewer people. There might be fewer people, but you'll be jammed together sitting atop strangers. If you prefer privacy over socializing, go with a larger boat, so you'll have more room to spread out. One advantage to smaller boats, however, is that—depending on ocean conditions—some may slip into a sea cave or two. If that sounds interesting to you, call the outfitter and ask their policy on entering sea caves. Some won't, no matter the conditions, because they consider the caves sacred or because they don't want to cause any environmental damage.

There are three points boats leave from around the island (Hanalei, Port Allen, and Waimea), and all head to the same spot: Napali Coast. Here's the inside skinny on which is the best—because everyone will say they are the best. It's really pretty easy. If you're staying on the North Shore, choose to depart out of the North Shore. If you're staying anywhere else, depart out of the West Side. It's that easy. Sure, the North Shore is closer to Napali Coast; however, you'll pay more for less overall time. The West Side boat operators may spend more time getting to Napali Coast; however, they'll spend about the same amount of time along Napali, plus you'll pay less. Finally, you'll also have to decide whether you want to go on the morning tour, which includes a deli lunch and a stop for snorkeling, or the afternoon tour, which does not stop to snorkel but does include a sunset over the ocean. The 5½-hour morning tour with snorkeling is more popular with families and those who love dolphins. You don't have to be an expert snorkeler or even have any prior experience, but if it is your first time, note that although there will be some snorkeling instruction, there might not be much. Hawaiian spinner dolphins are so plentiful in the mornings that some tour companies guarantee you'll see them, though you can't get in the water and swim with them. The 3½-hour afternoon tour is more popular with nonsnorkelers—obviously—and photographers interested in capturing the setting sunlight on the coast.

Catamaran Tours

Blue Dolphin Charters. This company operates 63-foot and 65-foot sailing (rarely raised and always motoring) catamarans designed with three decks of spacious seating with great visibility. The lower deck is best for shade seekers. Upgrades from snorkeling to scuba diving—no need for certification—are available and run $35, but the diving is really best for beginners or people who need a refresher course. On Tuesday and Friday a tour of Napali Coast includes a detour across the channel to Niihau for snorkeling and diving. Blue Dolphin likes to say they have the best mai tais "off the island," and the truth is, they probably do. Morning snorkel tours of Napali include a deli lunch, and afternoon sunset sightseeing tours include a meal of kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, Caesar salad, and chocolate-chip cookies. Prices range from $99 to $175. Two-hour whale-watching/sunset tours, offered during winter, run $50. In Port Allen Marina Center. Turn makai onto Rte. 541 off Rte. 50, at eleele. 808/335-5553 or 877/511-1311. www.kauaiboats.com.

Capt. Andy's Sailing Adventures. Departing from Port Allen and running two 55-foot sailing catamarans, Capt. Andy's runs the same five-hour snorkeling and four-hour sunset tours along Napali Coast as everyone else, though we're not crazy about the boat's layout, which has most of the seating inside the cabin. What they do that no one else does is embark out of Kukuiula Harbor in Poipu for a two-hour sunset sail along the South Shore—with live Hawaiian music—every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evening. If the winds and swells are up on the North Shore, this is usually a good choice—especially if you're prone to seasickness. Note, if you have reservations for the shorter tour, you'll check in at their Kukuiula Harbor office. Prices range from $69 to $139. In Port Allen Marina Center. Turn makai onto Rte. 541 off Rte. 50 at eleele. 808/335-6833 or 800/535-0830. www.napali.com.

Captain Sundown. If you're staying on the North Shore, it's really pretty simple. Captain Sundown is the choice. Get this: Captain Bob has been cruising Napali Coast for 35 years—six days a week, sometimes twice a day. (And right alongside Captain Bob is his son Captain Larry.) To say he knows the area is a bit of an understatement. Here's the other good thing about this tour: they take only 15 passengers. Now, you'll definitely pay more, but it's worth it. You don't check in too early—around 8 AM—and there's no rushing down the coastline. The morning snorkeling cruise is a leisurely six hours. The breathtaking views of the waterfall-laced mountains behind Hanalei and Haena start immediately, but then it's around Kee Beach and the magic of Napali Coast unfolds before you. All the while, the captains are trolling for fish, and if they catch any, guests get to reel 'em in. Afternoon sunset sails (seasonal) run three hours and check in around 3 PM. BYOB. Prices range from $138 to $162. Meet in Hanalei at Tahiti Nui parking lot. 808/826-5585. www.captainsundown.com.

Catamaran Kahanu. This Hawaiian-owned-and-operated company has been in business since 1985 and runs a 40-foot power catamaran with 18-passenger seating. Their five-hour tour includes snorkeling at Nualolo Kai. The boat is smaller than most and may feel a tad crowded, but the tour feels more personal, with a laid-back, ohana style. Salt water runs through the veins of this father-and-son team—Captains Lani and Kamua. Guests can learn the ancient cultural practice of weaving on board. There's no alcohol allowed. Price: $135. From Rte. 50, turn left on Rte. 541 at eleele, proceed just past Port Allen Marina Center, turn right at sign; check-in booth on left. 808/645-6176 or 888/213-7711. www.catamarankahanu.com.

HoloHolo Charters. Choose between a 50-foot sailing catamaran trip to Napali Coast, and a 65-foot powered catamaran trip to the island of Niihau. Both boats have large cabins and little outside seating. Originators of the Niihau tour, HoloHolo Charters built their 65-foot powered catamaran with a wide beam to reduce side-to-side motion, and twin 425 HP turbo diesel engines specifically for the 17-mi channel crossing to Niihau. They're the only outfitter running daily Niihau tours. Prices range from $95 to $175. Check in at Port Allen Marina Center. Turn makai onto Rte. 541 off Rte. 50, at eleele. 808/335-0815 or 800/848-6130. www.holoholocharters.com.

Kauai Sea Tours. This company operates a 61-foot sailing catamaran designed almost identically to that of Blue Dolphin Charters—hence, with all the same benefits. Snorkeling tours anchor at Nualolo Kai (a great snorkeling spot), and in summer, guests can choose the "combo" tour, which includes a shuttle ride to shore on an inflatable raft and a tour of an ancient fishing village—a unique cultural experience. Prices range from $99 to $160. Check in at Port Allen Marina Center. Turn makai onto Rte. 541 off Rte. 50, at eleele. 808/826-7254 or 800/733-7997. www.kauaiseatours.com.

Liko Kauai Cruises. There are many things to like about Liko Kauai Cruises. The 49-foot powered cat will enter sea caves, ocean conditions permitting. Sometimes, even Captain Liko himself—a born-and-bred West Side boy—still takes the captain's helm. We particularly like the layout of his boat—most of the seating is in the bow, so there's good visibility. There's just one problem: even though they depart out of Kikiaola Harbor in Waimea, at four hours in length, the snorkeling tour is altogether too short. The rate is $140. Mauka off Rte. 50 in Waimea just before Big Save, check in at Obsessions café. 808/338-0333 or 800/732-5456. www.liko-kauai.com.

Napali Catamaran. One of the few tours departing Hanalei, this company has been around for a long time. Once on board, it takes only five minutes before you're witnessing the magnificence of Napali Coast. Its 34-foot, powered catamaran is small enough—and with no mast, short enough—to dip into sea caves. In summer, they run two four-hour snorkeling tours per day, stopping at the best snorkeling site along Napali—Nualolo Kai. In winter, business slows as the surf picks up, and they run whale-watching tours, ocean conditions permitting. If it wasn't for the bench seating bisecting the boat—meaning one group of passengers enjoys unobstructed views of the open ocean instead of Napali either on the way out or back—we'd really be happy. Rate is $150, on the high side for a four-hour tour. In Ching Young Village in Hanalei. 808/826-6853 or 800/255-6853. www.napalicatamaran.com.

Word of Mouth

"See Napali Coast either by boat or by helicopter. By air the views are spectacular, but the ride is shorter than it is by boat, and the boat stops and lets you do some snorkeling. Another way to see it is a hike along the Kalalau Trail. Though long and sometimes strenuous, it's a fabulous day trip." -Kealii

Best Boat Tours

Best for snorkeling: Z-Tourz

Best for romance: Capt. Andy's Poipu Sail

Best for thrill seekers: Napali Explorer (Zodiac 1)

Best for mai tais: Blue Dolphin Charters

Best for pregnant women: Captain Sundown or Capt. Andy's

Best for charters: Captain Sundown

Best price: Napali Riders

Does Rain Mean Cancellation?

If it's raining where you're staying, that doesn't mean it's raining over the water, so don't shy away from a boat tour. Besides, it's not the rain that should concern you—it's the wind. Especially from due north and south, wind creates surface chop and makes for rough riding. Larger craft are designed to handle winter's ocean swells, however, so unless monster waves are out there, your tour should depart without a hitch. If the water is too rough, your boat captain may reroute to calmer waters. It's a tough call to make, but your comfort and safety are always the foremost factor. In winter months, North Shore departures are canceled much more often than those departing the West Side. This is because the boats are smaller and the waves are bigger on this side of the island. If you want the closest thing to a guarantee of seeing Napali Coast in winter, choose a West Side outfitter. Oh, and even if your tour boat says they cruise the "entire Napali," keep in mind that "ocean conditions permitting" is always implied.

Zodiac Tours

Captain Andy's Rafting Expeditions. This company used to be known as Captain Zodiac; however, the outfit has changed hands over the years they first started running Napali in 1974), and currently, Capt. Andy's (as in the sailing catamaran Capt. Andy's) is operating the business. Departing out of Port Allen, this tour is much like the other raft tours—offering both snorkeling and beach landing excursions. Their rafts are on the smaller side—24 feet with a maximum of 15 passengers—and all seating is on the rubber hulls, so hang on. They operate three different rafts, so there's a good chance of availability. Price is $139, including snorkeling at Nualolo Kai. In Port Allen Marina Center. Turn makai onto Rte. 541 off Rte. 50 at eleele. 808/335-6833 or 800/535-0830. www.napali.com.

Kauai Sea Tours. This company also offers snorkeling and nonsnorkeling tours in an inflatable rubber raft. Check out the Combo Tour.

Napali Explorer. Owned by a couple of women, these tours operate out of two locations: Waimea, a tad closer to Napali Coast than most of the West Side catamaran tours, and Hanalei. Departing out of the West Side, the company runs two different sizes of inflatable rubber rafts: a 48-foot, 35-passenger craft with an onboard toilet, freshwater shower, shade canopy, and seating in the stern (which is surprisingly smooth and comfortable) and bow (which is where the fun is); and a 26-foot, 16-passenger craft for the all-out fun and thrills of a white-knuckle ride in the bow. Departing out of Hanalei, the Ocean Adventurer is a 46-foot, 27-passenger rigid-hull inflatable. All snorkel tours stop at Nualolo Kai; in summer the smaller vessel ties up onshore for a tour of the ancient fishing village. Rates range from $89 to $135, and charters are available. Follow Rte. 50 west to Waimea; office is mauka after crossing river. In Hanalei, meet at the river mouth, at the end of Weke Rd., Waimea and Hanalei. 808/338-9999 or 877/335-9909. www.napaliexplorer.com.

Napali Riders. This tour-boat outfitter distinguishes itself in two ways. First, they cruise the entire Napali Coast, clear to Kee Beach and back. Second, they have an unbeatable price, because it's a no-frills tour—no lunch provided, just beverages and snacks. They run four-hour snorkeling trips out of Kikiaola Harbor in Waimea on a 30-foot inflatable raft with a 32-passenger maximum—if it's full, you'll definitely feel like a sardine. In Waimea, makai, approximately 1 mi after crossing Waimea River. 808/742-6331. www.napaliriders.com.

Z-Tourz. What we like about Z-Tourz is that they are the only boat company to make snorkeling their priority. As such, they focus on the South Shore's abundant offshore reefs, stopping at two locations. If you want to see Napali, this boat is not for you; if you want to snorkel with the myriad of Hawaii's tropical reef fish and turtles (pretty much guaranteed), this is your boat. They run two three-hour tours daily on a 26-foot rigid-hull inflatable (think Zodiac) with a maximum of 16 passengers. Rate is $94. Check in at Kukuiula Harbor in Poipu. From Poipu Rd., turn onto Lawai Rd., drive 1 mi, turn left on Amio Rd. to harbor. 808/742-7422 or 888/998-6879. www.ztourz.com.

Up for a Dinner Cruise?

If you're thinking of a romantic dinner cruise, you're on the wrong island. Kauai's waters are just not conducive to such. So, even though you'll see some boat companies advertising "dinner cruises," the only difference between their snorkeling cruise and this is that there is no snorkeling, of course, and instead of deli sandwiches, there might be kalua pig, teriyaki chicken, or something similar.

Riverboat Tours to Fern Grotto

This 2-mi, upriver trip culminates at a yawning lava tube that is covered with enormous fishtail ferns. During the boat ride, guitar and ukulele players regale you with Hawaiian melodies and tell the history of the river. It's a kitschy bit of Hawaiiana, worth the little money ($20) and short time required. Flat-bottom, 150-passenger riverboats (that rarely fill up) depart from Wailua Marina at the mouth of the Wailua River. It's extremely rare, but occasionally after heavy rains the tour doesn't leave from the grotto; If you're traveling in winter, ask beforehand. Round-trip excursions take 1½ hours, including time to walk around the grotto and environs. Tours run at 9:30, 10, 11:30, 1:30, 2, and 3:30 daily. Reservations are not required. Contact Smith's Motor Boat Services (808/821-6892. www.smithskauai.com) for more information.