Trying to pick a company to go with for a tour in September. I really want to go into the sea caves. I know they very with food quality and snorkeling areas. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

We had a great time on Na Pali Catamaran, on the North Shore. It was listed as the favorite company in "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook". They definitely go into the sea caves (unless it's way too choppy due to poor weather).

I've heard from many that the North route is said to be a better route than from the west side of the island, as it is more scenic (we've gone twice from that side of the island, but never from the West side, however).

The food was just a meat & cheese tray w/ lettuce, tomatoes, etc. to make sandwiches, along with chips and drinks... but we definitely were not there for the food.

The snorkeling was good... not the best I've seen in Hawaii (nothing like Capt. Cook monument on Hawaii), but it was the ride itself, seeing the Na Pali coast, that was so breathtaking! All the boats we saw seemed to be going to approximately the same location for snorkeling. Go for the a.m. trip for sure to get the best snorkeling.

we used captain zodiac from tunnels beach on the north shore but that was a couple of years ago. it was a great trip - small group, zodiacs took us right into the caves as you mentioned.

Captain Zodiac is the company we used before too. It was more fun on the zodiac boats. But those don't go out of Hanalei any longer I don't believe (since that legal problem all the zodiac companies had a few years back).

FYI- I don't get sick on roller coasters or in cars but my momma warned me to get a prescription motion sickness patch and I am glad I did. About a third of the people on our catamaran cruist to Na Pali were pretty ill.

Thanks for the responses. We are looking at Na Pali Catamaran or Na Pali Explorer. I think we have decided that the rafts might be too rough. We really don't want to be sick. I think the sea caves sound so cool and really want to go inside them. The reviews of the crew w/Na Pali Explorer sound great. They can really make a difference. What was the crew like w/ Na Pali Catamaran? Should we go w/ north shore route or fabulous crew?

Where you leave from might also depend on where you're staying. The morning snorkel trips leave EARLY. We were staying in Kapa'a and even that was bit of a drive for that time of morning (to get there by 6:30 or 6:45 as I recall). If you're any further south, that might make your decision right there... although someone else on our boat did drive from the Poipu area (but they didn't have kids which always adds some time to the equation!).

P.S. My 13 year old daughter did get sick on the catamaran. So do still take a Rx motion sickness patch if you think there is any chance of that. After she got it "out of her system" (over the side of the boat), she was fine for the remainder of the trip!

We paddled Na Pali in a kayak last summer, which was quite an experience, very exciting. The sea caves are very cool, dark and spooky. We even paddled under a waterfall plunging right into the ocean on our way into one! There's also an open ceiling cave which was absolutely gorgeous, but I'm not sure if a boat can fit in the entrance. The dark caves make you feel like you're a pirate though, it's strange going from bright daylight to a VERY dark cave in just seconds. Enjoy your trip!

love
roxy

We used Captain Andy's and had a great time. It was a catamaran and we were very pleased with the whole experience.

Aloha everyone,

Ok, is Captain Sundown the same as Na Pali Catamaran?

We'd like to do a catamaran tour out of Hanalei and I've heard good recommendations for Na Pali Catamaran, but am not finding a website. I have seen Capt' Sundown's site though.

Mahalo...

Ok, I've found Na Pali Catamaran's site... does anyone have recent experience or recommendation between the two?