I am considering this tour. One concern is the availability of shade on the catamaran. Is there any? Six hours seems like a lot to be out in the sun continuously. Any one out there have an answer? Will be there in beginning of July when the summer sun is intense.

I used them two years ago. Pros are that you leave from the North Shore where there is very little competition so you are not bumping into other boats on your journey. The crew was great (created a party like atmoshpere) food was good. I am very prone to sun problems, I am a red head. No problems on this boat there is a covered deck you can retreat to. Plenty of sunscreen on board. All in all a fun day out.

Cons are this guy seems to raise his prices every frigen year. I did the tour two years ago for $80 he is now charging $135. Think this may be the result of restrictions placed on boats doing business off the N.S, concerned it may be the result of businesses relocating to west shore. Saw a price jump last year and now this. HELLO THAT IS TOO MUCH INFLATION. Then when you are on the boat they pass around a hat for tips to help the first mate to buy a car. I saw the first mate driving a brand new SUV later in the day after our tour. This was not surprise as people were very generous with tips and this was only one day! Also thought asking for a tip at already steep prices washing pushing it. A standard I am guessing but I was annoyed. Sent my guests out on a smaller boat tour that I think was $80 last year.

Sarah, did the smaller boat tour depart from the North shore also? Operator's name? Snorkeling? thanks!

When I went on Captain Sundown in Sept there was a step down area that was covered where those who wanted to be out of the sun could sit comfortably. Here's the web site for more info:

http://www.captainsundown.com/index.html

We didn't have Sarah's problem with growing prices because we were in Kauai shortly after 9/11 and prices had been cut. We enjoyed the trip very much. I suggest asking if they have an internet rate to see if you can get a discount.

Yes they left out of Hanalei and I don't recall the name a call into any business in downtown Hanalei should help you. I know Hanalei music and books they have a website. BTW they sell a Video documenting the history of Hawaii.

Always remember the many posts on here that claimed no more tours out of Hanalei then I saw this booth (two different Companies) on the main drag and got the feeling that a zodiac company also left out of Hanalei. Some legislation has just past allowing boats to do the tours if they port to the side of Hanalei bay. So there should be even more boats there this year.

Agree with Sarah that there are other boat companies that leave out of Hanalei Bay. They are not easy to identify though so it might be easier to find them once you arrive if you want to go out of north shore. I know that we parked in the lot of another boat company that did not seem to be active at the time. It is possible that some of the companies are seasonal and weren't operating at the end of Sept.

Thanks! Guess we'll just wait til we get there, since it's going to be the end of September...

Joan ask the hote concierge or whoever is renting you your condo

This is an excellent link just look at the large listing for North shore boating companies. Yike I hope this does not mess up coastline.

http://www.kauai-hawaii.com/director...tegory.php?106