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The Nāpali Coast Snorkel Excursion
Travel along Kauaʻi’s legendary Nāpali Coast for a morning of snorkeling, sightseeing, wildlife encounters, and time on the water aboard Leila, our custom-built motorized sailing catamaran built right here on Kauaʻi.
Along the way, pass towering sea cliffs, waterfalls, sea caves, and remote beaches while watching for dolphins, green sea turtles, flying fish, and seasonal humpback whales. Conditions permitting, you’ll also have the chance to swim, snorkel, and sail along one of the most spectacular coastlines in Hawaiʻi.
From
$255 / adult
Ages 13+
From
$235 / child
Ages 5-12
+ taxes
Inclusions
- Guided sightseeing along the legendary Nāpali Coast aboard Leila, our 50-foot motorized sailing catamaran
- Snorkeling stop selected by the captain based on daily ocean conditions
- Opportunities to spot dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and seasonal humpback whales (Dec–Apr)
- Continental breakfast, fresh deli-style lunch, snacks, and fresh-baked cookies
- Complimentary water, juices, and soft drinks throughout the tour
- Local beer, wine, and hard seltzers served after snorkeling
- Snorkel gear, flotation devices, and in-water crew support
- Captain and crew narration featuring local history, geology, marine life, and Hawaiian legends
- The chance to sail along the Nāpali Coast aboard our locally-built motorized sailing catamaran, conditions permitting
Surprising Flexibility
Out here, nature is in control. That’s part of the adventure, and part of what makes Kauaʻi so special.
If weather or ocean conditions require us to change routes, you’ll always have a choice: join us for plan B, or reschedule or cancel at no cost. Because conditions can shift hour to hour, our captains make route decisions the day of the tour based on real-time ocean conditions.
And if Holoholo cancels for weather, ocean conditions, or operational reasons, you’ll receive a full refund.
Comfortable Boat
- Leila’s wide twin-hull catamaran design and low center of gravity provide a smoother, more stable, and more comfortable ride offshore than many traditional top-heavy tour boats
- Two onboard restrooms, an easy-access swim ladder, and a water slide off the stern
- Built for both sailing performance and all-day comfort on the water
- Experienced local crew focused on safety, hospitality, and creating a relaxed atmosphere onboard
The coastline itself is breathtaking, but what really made the day unforgettable was the wildlife. We saw multiple pods of dolphins swimming alongside the boat and even spotted whales. Seeing these animals in the wild against the backdrop of the Nā Pali cliffs felt surreal.
Pablo MV
This Is Why You Came to Kauaʻi.
What sets this offshore expedition apart from any other Nāpali Coast boat tour.
Nāpali Coast
There’s a reason people talk about the Nāpali Coast the way they do. The cliffs rise thousands of feet straight out of the Pacific. Waterfalls appear out of nowhere after rainfall. Sea caves, arches, hidden beaches, and narrow green valleys stretch along one of the most dramatic coastlines in Hawaiʻi.
Travel along the coast aboard Leila while your captain and crew share stories, history, geology, and local knowledge about this remote side of Kauaʻi. Every day out here looks a little different depending on the ocean and weather, but the feeling is always the same: expansive, wild, and hard to fully explain until you’ve seen it yourself.
Snorkeling + Swimming
During your tour along the coast, your captain will choose a snorkeling location based on the day’s ocean conditions. Once the boat is secured, you’ll have the chance to slip into coastal Pacific water to swim, float, snorkel, or simply cool off.
We provide snorkel gear, flotation devices, and basic instruction for all experience levels, and one of our crew members joins guests in the water to help everyone feel comfortable and safe. If snorkeling isn’t your thing, Leila is also a pretty great place to simply stretch out, enjoy the views, and listen to the water moving beneath the hulls.
Wildlife Encounters
The waters along the Nāpali Coast are full of life, and no two days on the ocean ever look exactly the same. Hawaiian spinner dolphins are common sightings on this tour, along with green sea turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and, during winter months, migrating humpback whales offshore.
Our captains and crew approach wildlife encounters respectfully and never chase or crowd marine animals for the sake of a closer view. We’re guests out here too, and part of the experience is seeing these animals behaving naturally in the environment they call home.
Food + Drinks
Great days on the water usually involve good food, cold drinks, and enough time to actually enjoy both. Breakfast is served as we head up the coast in the morning, followed later by a fresh deli-style lunch, snacks, cookies, juices, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks throughout the tour.
After snorkeling, complimentary beer, wine, and hard seltzers are available for the ride back down the coast. The atmosphere onboard stays casual and welcoming. It’s the kind of experience where people settle into conversations, stare at the coastline for a while, and lose track of time.
Leila Catamaran
Leila is a 50-foot motorized sailing catamaran designed and built right here on Kauaʻi by a crew led by our founder. Her wide stance, low center of gravity, and sleek twin-hull design create a more stable and comfortable ride than many traditional tour boats operating along the coast.
Onboard, you’ll find shaded seating areas, open deck space, panoramic views, onboard restrooms, a water slide, and plenty of room to spread out throughout the day. Conditions permitting, Leila also gives guests the chance to experience something increasingly rare on commercial tours in Hawaiʻi: real sailing along the Nāpali Coast.
Local Crew + Stories
Our captains and crew spend their lives on these waters, and the experience onboard reflects that connection to place. Throughout the day, you’ll hear stories about Kauaʻi’s history, geology, wildlife, and culture from people who genuinely care about sharing this coastline the right way.
The crew is also there to keep the day feeling relaxed, safe, and easy from start to finish. They help first-time snorkelers in the water, answer questions, point out wildlife, refill drinks, and create the kind of atmosphere that keeps people coming back to Holoholo year after year.
Kaua‘i Private Charters
Wedding events, family trips, celebrations of life, company outings, birthday celebrations. Kaua‘i is just better with the whole group on board.
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Frequently asked questions
Totally Worth the Early Wake-Up Call
What's the difference between the Niʻihau Snorkel Expedition and the Nāpali Coast Snorkel Excursion?
The Niʻihau & Nāpali Snorkel Expedition is our longest offshore adventure, taking you across the Kaulakahi Channel to snorkel near Lehua Crater near Niʻihau. You’ll travel aboard Holoholo, our custom-built 65-foot power catamaran designed specifically for crossing the open waters of the Kaulakahi Channel. It offers more time on the water, a more remote snorkeling experience in clearer water, and additional opportunities to encounter rare offshore marine life, such as false killer whales, rough-toothed dolphins, manta rays, and Hawaiian monk seals, creating a wildlife experience distinctly different from snorkeling along the Kauaʻi coast.
The Nāpali Coast Snorkel Excursion stays closer to Kauaʻi, combining snorkeling, sightseeing, and possible sailing into a shorter outing that’s a great fit for many visitors. You’ll be aboard Leila, a 50-foot motorized sailing catamaran designed and built right here on Kauaʻi. Leila also gives guests the chance to experience something increasingly rare on commercial tours in Hawaiʻi: real sailing along the Nāpali Coast.
Is snorkel gear included?
Yes—all snorkel gear is included at no additional cost.
We provide masks, snorkels, and fins for every guest, along with prescription masks for those who need corrective lenses (ranging from +1.5 to -7.0). We also carry snorkel equipment for kids.
Our goal is to make your experience easy and comfortable, so you can focus on enjoying your time in the water.
Are we going to be able to swim with dolphins?
No, swimming with dolphins is not allowed. While Holoholo does not offer swimming with dolphins, seeing dolphins is very common, particularly on the morning tours.
It is illegal to approach or swim with dolphins under federal law, as these protections are in place to prevent disruption to their natural behaviors. While we love encountering dolphins on our tours, we observe them respectfully from a distance and never pursue them.
On rare occasions, if you are already in the water snorkeling and dolphins choose to approach you on their own, that can happen—but it’s entirely up to them.
We follow responsible wildlife viewing guidelines and are committed to protecting marine life. Respecting these boundaries helps ensure these incredible animals can thrive for generations to come.
What do you do if the weather is bad? Do you cancel tours due to weather?
Ocean conditions, such as wind and swell, are the primary factors that may lead to a cancellation or route adjustment. If conditions require a change to the route or experience, our Captain will clearly communicate this at check-in, and you’ll have the option to continue, reschedule, or receive a full refund.
If we cancel your tour due to weather, you will receive a full refund.
We do not cancel tours due to rain alone unless there are safety concerns, such as active lightning on the water. It’s common for it to be raining on land while conditions remain clear out on the water.
Safety is always our top priority. Ocean conditions in Hawaiʻi can change quickly, so our team continuously monitors forecasts and real-time conditions. If adjustments to the route or experience are needed, we believe in full transparency so you can make the best decision for your day.
If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is always here to help.
Are there restrooms on board?
Yes, all of our vessels are equipped with onboard restrooms. Our marine heads are compact but fully functional, providing what you need while out on the water.
What can I do about motion sickness?
If you’re prone to motion sickness—or unsure—it’s best to take preventative medication before your tour.
If you regularly experience severe seasickness, a Holoholo boat tour may not be the best fit.
Our tours take place in the open ocean, where conditions can vary and movement is part of the experience—even on calm days. While many guests manage well with preventive medication, it’s not guaranteed, and tours range from 3 to 7 hours, with no option to return early due to seasickness.
There are many over-the-counter and natural remedies available, and some should be taken a few hours in advance, so be sure to follow the directions. We also offer motion sickness remedies for purchase at check-in if needed.
If you begin to feel unwell during the tour, let our crew know right away—early intervention makes a big difference. We can help reposition you on the boat and provide items like ginger ale, crackers, and ginger candy to help ease symptoms.
To prepare, we recommend getting a good night’s rest and avoiding alcohol or acidic drinks (like coffee or orange juice) before your tour, as these can make symptoms worse.
What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy depends on your group size. For parties of 9 or fewer, we require at least 24 hours’ notice for a full refund. For parties of 10 or more, we require 72 hours’ notice. Cancellations made outside of these timeframes will receive a full refund.
Within the cancellation window, reservations are non-refundable and charged in full.
If we cancel your tour due to weather, you will receive a full refund.
Ocean conditions, such as wind and swell, are the primary factors that may lead to a cancellation or route adjustment. If conditions require a change to the route or experience, our Captain will clearly communicate this at check-in, and you’ll have the option to continue, reschedule, or receive a full refund.
We do not cancel tours due to rain alone unless there are safety concerns, such as thunder and lightning. It’s common for it to be raining on land while conditions remain clear out on the water.
Our goal is to be transparent and give you the information you need to make the best decision for your day.
If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is always here to help.
Our Boats Are Built on Kaua‘i For a Reason.
The Nāpali coast demands experience. Our custom-built boats and award-winning crews know how to read the water and safely adapt to changing conditions along one of the wildest coastlines in Hawai‘i.
Learn More About Our Vessels & Crew
Holoholo Stays With You.
Holoholo is a Hawaiian word that means to go out for pleasure––a walk, a stroll, a sail. We think that’s a pretty good way to describe a day on the water.
Out here, the ocean makes the rules. Our job is to help you experience it safely, comfortably, and with the kind of care that lets you stay fully present in the moment.
If you step off the boat feeling a little more connected to this place than when you came aboard, we’ve done our job. Our goal is for you to remember more than the views. We hope you'll remember how it felt to be out here.
Mahalo,
The Holoholo Team
Find Your AdventureMahalo,
The Holoholo Team
We’re Guests Out Here Too.
Operating boats in the waters around Kauaʻi comes with responsibility. We work hard to reduce our impact, protect marine ecosystems, support local community organizations, and operate with deep respect for this place we call home.
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