Instead of taking the helipcopter ride on Kauai to see the NaPali Coast, does anyone know of a company offering a two to three hour cruise along the coast?

Unless you are afraid to fly I would do the Helicopter tour ($165.) instead. I did a catamaran sail out of Hanalei last year (3-4 hours). It was not very impressive. The same boat ride is $135 this year and was not worth it at $80 last year. We went snorkeling seeing no fish at all, nada pal. I think if you are afraid to fly go online email Kokee state park and ask them where the easiest stretch of the Napali is so that you can hike. I did this one year and found it to be as impressive as the boat ride. Because there are some very scenic spots along the coast. I did not hike all 11 miles just maybe a mile.

My husband and I did a helicopter and zodiac ride on the NaPali. If we had to choose one, we would pick the zodiac. It's a hard bottom raft with a motor. If the water is calm, they take you in some caves along the coast. I love the dolphins swimming along side the boat. The company was Captain Zodiac. I don't know if they're still in business. We used them in 1992.

The problem is that most boats now leave from the West side of the island that is over an hour driving if you are staying on the North Shore.

Captain Zodiac is no longer in business. All the zodiac companies were forced to stop loading on the river, so now you have to take much longer rides on bigger boats to get to the Na Pali coast.
Such a shame..Captain zodiac's rides were incredible.

Sad for the tourist who want to take a boat ride out. But I imagine the boat companies were having an impact on the environment and the peace of the area. I was in Hanalei last year and I remember one captain laughing about not following state laws in terms of the where boat went. I also remember swimming in Hanalei and the Catamaran would get too close than over a loud speaker he would swimmers to move. I don't think people who are paying a million or more for their homes should have to deal with this on a daily basis. But more than anything I am glad the Hanalei Bay is being preserved for my annual visits.

Attn: Tammy ([email protected]) What month were you in Kauai?

What's wrong with doing it the ole-fashioned way: Hiking down.
It's absolutely beautiful, and it gives you a real sense of accomplishment. Plus. You won't be like every other tourist who takes either the helicopter or Zodiac. (Just don't take the trail when it's real wet.)

This June we stayed in Kauai and did both the helicopter ride (Inter-Island) no doors, waterfall landing, and the Blue Dolphin Na Pali sunset champagne cruise. Both were enjoyable and very different from one another. We only saw the Na Pali coast for a few minutes it seemed in the air, and I'm glad we had the extra time on the cruise. Relaxing, easy cruising on the way out. Blue Dolphin uses larger boats than Catamarans so it didn't feel overly crowded. The way back felt like an E-ticket ride. It was choppy after dark and they were hauling a**. It was fun. The Captain was funny and informative. Hiking the trail is not for the novice or even intermediate hiker I hear. And hiking past the two mile marker means camping overnight. Too much work for me! I'd rather be sipping cocktails! Enjoy.