OK~I didn't take everyone's advice and book early for our Na Pali Catamaran trip. I know everyone says to go early for best snorkeling conditions, but when I called today, they only had openings for afternoon trips (due to the fact we needed 5 places for our group). So I booked it, but now I'm wondering if the conditions will be so bad that it won't be enjoyable (does it always get choppy in the afternoon?). Should we just stick to off beach snorkeling? We will already have seen Na Pali by air and hiking in Waimea, so I'm wondering if we should bother with an afternoon catamaran trip? Maybe save it for our next trip.......?

Has anyone here taken a trip in the afternoon, and if so, how was your experience?

I forgot to mention that our afternoon trip with Na Pali Catamaran is scheduled for June 22, if it matters.....

SP - Do you have a tendency towards seasickness? I will tell you my story and hope that I do not dampen your thoughts for this trip.

First of all, on this trip you get to see some of the most amazing scenery. The NaPali coastline is so rugged and beautiful - I wish I took more pictures. We were on a morning catamaran from the North shore in mid May, on the 18th I think. I've sailed several times on my father-in-law's sailboat and have never been sick, except I do get very lightheaded when I go "down under". But I read so much about sea-sickness on the catamarans that I took a Dramamine. (My dr. recommended that and not the patch b/c Benadryl does not make me drowsy.) I started the trip awed by the scenery. As soon as we turned the corner from the north shore more to along the NaPali coastline, I got tired, so I laid down and put my head down. Then I discovered when I went to get up, I was very lightheaded. I would look up every once in a while, see some awesome scenery, and put my head back down. I could not get up! I never got sick, but was very lightheaded whenever I sat up. I have no idea what in the world I was experiencing; it was like I was drugged. In fact, my husband thinks I did drug myself. We flew in the day before from PHL, and I was having a lot of problems falling asleep despite being exhausted. So at 7pm Hawaiin time (1am Phila time) I took an Ambien. I couldn't fall back to sleep at 2:30 am, so I took another 1/2. At 9:30am I took a Dramamine. He thinks all this medicine plus jet lag knocked me out. This might be it; it was not the best thing to schedule anything the first day after we arrived, but we were on a very tight schedule (we fit in 2 short, but wonderful days on Kauai before we headed over to Maui for a "business" trip). However, as soon as we turned the corner, back to the calmer northern shore, I was able to sit back up and drink an entire Diet Coke with no upset stomach.

Two people on our boat did get sick. The captains helper, who was terrific, told me they average one sick person per trip. He also told me that the afternoon trips are rougher. They had to cancel the pm trip the day we went b/c it started to rain at around 1:30pm.

We were to go snorkeling, but we could not b/c it was too windy. I think that this might a common occurence, b/c he did say the seas were pretty calm that day, overall. And when we were in Maui, we did snorkeling off the beach in the morning, but the lifeguards told us you cannot snorkel in the afternoon b/c it gets too windy and choppy.

People on our boat said the snorkeling off of Kee and Tunnels beaches was amazing. They saw turtles at Kee. We just didn't have the time to do this, but it sounded like it would have been great!!

I hope I didn't ramble on too much for you. I don't want to discourage you, b/c the scenery was amazing and I do think you get a different perspective being on the water than you would from the air. The "crew" (2 people) were great and I would highly recommend our operator - Capt. Sundown.

Personally, I would never suggest an afternoon Na Pali cruise. Departing Hanalei Bay is fine -- you're usually running with the currents. But by afternoon, the seas have come up a bit and when the boat drops anchor for snorkeling, it's like being on a bobbing cork (urp!). And then there's the trip back -- pounding against the opposing current allllll the way. Bone jarring, unless you're on a luxury liner. 8-)

since you've already seen Na Pali by air, and have hiked some of it from Waimea, and will be snorkeling our fine beaches (especially Makua and Ke`e), skip the afternoon boat ride.

But do put yourself on the tour company's "wait list" for any possible morning openings (someone _always_ cancels).

Thanks all for the advice!

I called Na Pali Catamarans and let the know I was no longer interested in the afternoon tour, but we would only go if a morning opening came up.....that said, she booked me for a private charter with a friend of hers, and it only costs $15 more p/p in a 34' boat! She said it was a former Captain for Na Pali Catamarans, and he will do the exact same itinerary, but we will leave a little earlier (meet at 7:15) since we'll depart from Anini beach. I'm glad I called back!

auntiemaria (or anyone else experienced with an afternoon Na Pali boat ride),
You now have me worried. We have booked a sunset tour (no snorkeling) with Napali Explorer that leaves from Kikiaola harbor in the west. This is a rigid hull inflatable (zodiak) that the authors of Kauai Revealed say is amazingly smooth. There was a huge price difference between this boat tour and others leaving from Hanalei in the morning or afternoon with snorkeling. (We are paying just over $200 for five people to go on the Sunset tour vs. $600 to go on Napali Catamaran in the AM with snorkeling and food.) Will we have the same problem with the ocean conditions coming from the west side in the afternoon? One of the reasons we are going to Kauai in the summer time is so we can go on a boat ride to see the Na Pali coast. I definately don't want it to be a terrible experience for our group! I am assuming we will be going at a pretty fast pace the whole time since we won't be stopping for a meal (just snacks) or snorkeling, and have quite a distance to cover.
Please give me your honest opinion!

Ashley24:

No worries -- the sunset tours out of the west side are made for romance. 8-)
From that departure point, at that time of day, the seas are usually calm...plan to have a wonderful time!!

Boy, do I feel relieved! Thanks for clearing that up for me! I can't wait!