Napali Explorer Snorkel - Rafting Adventure

KAUAI Activities - Enjoy a 4.5 hour excursion of one of the most beautiful places on earth! The Na Pali coast is considered the jewel of Kauai. It’s definitely not to be missed. Unfortunately, there's no road to get there. It’s said the Na Pali Coast is the second-fastest eroding coastline in the world, so the terrain is just too crumbly to support roads. (They tried it once, decades ago—they soon gave up)! What’s fascinating is at one time large settlements of Hawaiians lived in these narrow valleys, some backed by thousand-foot cliffs with, seemingly, no access overland and during Winter’s big surf, and no access by sea. Archaeological evidence of homes and he‘iau (sacred sites), as well as terraces for agricultural purposes, remain today along the entire coastline.

The best way to see all of the Na Pali Coast’s cascading waterfalls, white sand beaches, sea caves and arches, and fluted cliffs is by water. With Na Pali Explorer you have numerous choices to create the perfect expedition for you. Pick your favorite boat and let's have some fun!!

Explorer I (Photo #2) - 26', 16-passenger "Hurricane" Zodiac. An adventurous, thrill-seeking ocean expedition. Beach Landing and nature walk at an archaeological site (weather and ocean permitting). Hawaiian-style whitewater rafting at its best.
* A wet ride
* Thrills and adventure on the high seas
* A shore landing
* A visit to an ancient fishing village

Explorer II (Photo #1) - Ride in superior comfort on the largest boat of it's type in the US. - a 48', 35 passenger Explorer class adventure craft featuring smooth ride quality.
# Some thrills and more comfort
# Coverage from the sun
# An on-board lua (head or toilet)

BOTH BOATS:
* Comfort: The lowest incidence of seasickness; unlike bigger boats, our three rigid hull inflatable boats are closer to and move with the water, decreasing the likelihood of seasickness.

Snorkeling
The Na Pali Snorkel Expedition departs as the sun rises over the ocean during the calmest part of the day, making your journey to the Na Pali Coast fast and smooth. Your day starts at Napali Explorer's office in Waimea with a continental breakfast.

Sea Life
Once onboard, your marine biologists and naturalists share information about the marine creatures you may see along the way, including the ever-popular Hawaiian spinner dolphins which we see every day, practically guaranteed. (Did you know the spinner dolphin can spin as many as eight rotations in the air?) There's a great possibility of seeing sea turtles and flying fish, maybe even monk seals and manta rays. During Winter when the whales migrate, you’ll learn about their journey from Alaska, where they feed, to Hawaii, where they breed. (During the peak months of February and March, they’re everywhere, and at 45 tons, you can’t miss seeing them.)

Nature
In addition to marine life, you’ll witness the majesty of the Na Pali Coast—with cliffs as high as 4,000 feet in some places—and learn historical and cultural information about life in ancient and modern Hawaii. (Did you know the land once terraced for taro was used for growing coffee in recent times? That in the 1890s, Ko‘olau the Leper and his wife Pi‘ilani successfully evaded the provisional government’s army in defiance of its decree to be exiled to the “Leper Colony” on Moloka‘i? That the movie “Six Days, Seven Nights” was filmed on the beach of Honopu which is bisected by a lava rock arch?)

Reefs
There is only one fringing reef along the entire Na Pali Coast. It extends 600 feet offshore and is home to many varieties of seaweed, limpets, sea urchins and 50 species of fish. The valley is called Nualolo Kai, and it contains the greatest number of archaeological remains of all the Na Pali Coast, protected over the years due to its extreme isolation. It is surrounded on three sides by cliffs and ocean on the fourth. It’s a highly-respected and studied setting. (Carbon dating dates civilization here as early as 600 A.D.) Na Pali Explorer is one of the few commercial boating companies awarded a special permit to land (on snorkel tours only) at Nualolo Kai for snorkeling and visiting the remains of this ancient fishing village. (Please note: Sometimes during winter, due to ocean conditions, your captain may elect to snorkel at a different location. Also, because of its smaller size, only Explorer I lands during the summer months, except during times of unusual summer swells, and rarely during other times of the year, again due to ocean conditions.)

After snorkeling, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch, either on-board or ashore, topped off with our scrumptious chocolate chip cookies. All along the way, water, juices and soft drinks will be served. There will be no alcoholic beverages provided, although you may carry your own on board (non-breakable containers, please).

This is a 4.5 hour excursion which departs daily from Waimea.

Tour times: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM (check-in: 6:30 AM) 

                      1:00 PM - 5:30 PM (check-in: 12:00 PM)

Due to the nature of this tour pregnant women and those with a history of severe back or neck problems cannot be accommodated. Please click on this link HERE for another great option for you.
 

Cancellations must be made by calling our concierge lines at 808-214-9283.  We will not accept cancellations via email, voicemail, fax or chatline. You must call at least 48 hours before the event for credit or refund to be applied. Some activities require a longer notice or will not allow cancellations once booking is made (each tour description will show exceptions to the 48 hour rule if applicable). Activities are 100% refunded in the event of your tour being canceled by the Activity Provider for any reason, such as weather, mechanical, etc. Ohana Fun! Hawaii will make every effort to get approval from an activity provider but cannot guarantee a refund until such approval is granted.  If you have any questions regarding a specific activity refund policy please call our concierge lines at 1-808-214-9283 prior to making your booking.