In researching the few boat excursions that explore the Na Pali coast from Kauai's north shore, they seem VERY expensive -- and I've read many reports (on Tripadvisor) of people getting horribly seasick.

Any suggestions -- for the best tour company? Best value (none of them seem to list prices on their web sites)? Avoiding seasickness?

Answer quick . . . I'll finally leave in 36 hours! Thanks.

Have you ever been on a boat, my husband, son 11, and I go all the time and it never bothers us. My stepson is sick the whole time on a boat and it is miserable for him, so we don't go on boats when he is with us. Besides that we went on the Liko Kauai out of Waimea, was not my choice, I had reserached for months and wanted to do the Kauai Sea tours, with beach landing picnic and hike to ancient fishing village, but after paying $430 they had lost our resevration and did not offer the excursion the day we were going, so company we booked through scrambled to get us any opening for the day we had planned and this was only available. The boat had benches and squeezed in 6 people a row. But they got us on and I really wanted to do the Na Pali Coast by boat. We saw at least a 100 spinner dolphins, sea turtles, snorkeled, saw lots of fish not real colorful more like ones we might want to eat, and lunch was very good(not the fish). Nobody got seasick, if you are prone to seasickness than see if you can get something from your doctor, or over counter, you do not want to be on a 5-6 hour excursion and feel that bad. Hope this helps a little. Have a great trip.

1 more thing, Tom's cash back tours lists nine tours to Napali with prices,
www.barefoothawaii.com, our problem was not with them and I like their service, we have used them last 5 trips to Hawaii. Have a great vacation!!!

Thanks, LVAMY. I checked out Tom's tours -- but they don't leave from the north shore -- which I'd prefer.

I've only sailed a few times (other than on cruise ships) and I didn't seem to be especially prone to seasickness, but I got concerned after reading (on tripadvisor) about so many people getting seasick on the Na Pali tours. I figured the waters must be rough. (In the past, the times when I didn't feel well, it seemed that everyone else was sick, as well.)

Any recommendations for boat tours that leave from the North shore? Thanks.

If you are still around, try Na Pali Catamaran. The boat leaves from Hanalei. Small boat, went into sea caves last summer. The whole experience was amazing. Saw dolphins, turtles. My husband and I wore pressure bands around our wrists to avoid seasickness. Seemed to work OK for us.

Thanks, Laura. I appreciate the recommendation both for the company and the wristbands. Were others seeming to get sick? (I don't leave until tomorrow -- Tuesday morning.)

Songdoc, I may be mistaken, but I believe the "big waves" arrive in early fall, and the northshore water remains generally calm throughout the summer, so for your dates it should be ok.

We went a few years ago from the north shore, with Captain Sundown. It was the last week of September, and the day we went, the big waves arrived! Literally. We loved getting to our sailboat by outrigger, and when we boarded, the Captain took us out about a half mile, parallel to where the professional surfers were riding. It was a unique surfing perspective! He decided we could not snorkel, the waves were too big. Although we were disappointed, we were thrilled because instead he chose to RIDE THE WAVES! He rode them towards the Napali cliffs, and at (what seemed like) the last possible moment, he turned the boat, only to repeat. I felt entirely safe in this salty captain's hands.

But I seem to remember it only cost $95 pp...now the website shows $155! I'd still do it again in a heartbeat. Have a safe and wonderful trip.

http://www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_napali.htm#sundown

No one got sick on the ride out...but on the return trip, one woman did get sick. The crew had her go to the back of the boat to take care of "business". The waves were pretty big, we actually wore rain slickers (on a bright blue sunny day) on the return trip. All in all, it was an amazing trip.

I agree with Joan! Captain Sundown provides a great day of sailing and snorkeling. We took a cruise with them last month. Captain Bob and his first mate Larry are very knowledgeable about the history of the island and provided a lot of wonderful information. The boat was immaculate, the food was good and the service was terrific! I recommend them 100%.

If you have a problem with sea sickness, get a prescription of Transdercop from your doctor. The little patch goes behind your ear and can stay on for up to 36 hours. Dr's will usually prescribe after a conversation over the phone, so no need to take the time to go into the office. Hope you have a wonderful time. I know we did!

we booked the boat tour to Na Pali coast with Kauai Sea Tours from Port Allen: NEVER AGAIN !!

We actually did not have any seasickness problem, as the captain just decided to turn the boat back with no money refund ! And we even did not see the Na Pali coast !

What made me very upset and disappointed was that it was known since the beginning of the trip that in the afternoon eastwinds (and waves)would have been stronger at the edge of the northwest corner of Kauai, while the cruise was almost perfect along the west coast !
But nevertheless they piked the money and after half hour they headed back !

So we decided not to give up and the next morning we joined an helicopter tour on Na Pali coast. I am still convinced it is the most beautiful place on earth !