Kauai West Shore - Waimea

Island of Kauai

Adventures on Water - Snorkeling

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There are a number of tour companies that leave from Port Allen and Kikiaola Harbor inWaimea, taking you on excursions along the Na Pali Coast and to Ni`ihau. They stop to snorkel off of Nuaolo Kai along the Na Pali Coast. Please note that the tours may vary depending on marine conditions.

Catamaran Kahanu, 808-335-3577, 888- 213-7711, 808-645-6176, Port Allen, www.catamarankahanu.com. They pride themselves on being Hawaiian owned and -operated. It shows as they describe Hawaiian culture and history during their tours. You’ll go on a snorkeling tour along the Na Pali Coast, and they show you caves, waterfalls and dolphins along the way. Prices start at $101.

Holo Holo Charters, 800-848-6130, 808- 335-0815,
www.holoholocharters.com, Port Allen Marina Center. Holo Holo is an extremely popular tour and for good reason. They provide the chance to snorkel in the pristine waters to Lehua, the small uninhabited crater off the north coast of Ni`ihau. They leave from Port Allen bright and early, but they do provide a full continental breakfast on their 65-foot catamaran. The boat heads west and north past Barking Sands and Polihale. You’ll then cruise past the Na Pali Cliffs and stop to see spinner dolphins and, during the winter, you’ll probably see a couple of humpback whales.

You then head over to Lehua, where the snorkeling is excellent. If you’ve been to Maui, it’s very similar to snorkeling at Molokini, but better, since it’s not as crowded and the marine life is more abundant. Holo Holo provides snorkel equipment, various flotation devices and a deli-style lunch, drinks and snacks. Since you’re in a large catamaran, the trip tends to be a smooth one. The tour to Ni`ihau costs $175 per person. If you opt for the tour that takes you along the Na Pali Coast, the cost is $135 per person.

Blue Dolphin Charters, 808-335-5553, 877-511- 1311, Port Allen,
www.kauaiboats.com, also offers a trip to the Na Pali coast where you stop and snorkel for a short period, then get back on the boat and head over to Ni`ihau for some snorkeling around Lehua. Cost is $196 per person. They also have a shorter tour that includes the Na Pali Coast for $148 per person.

Kaua`i Sea Tours, 800-733-7997 or 808-826-7254, Aka Ula St., Port Allen, www.kauaiseatours.com, offers several options. You can go in the rigid-hull inflatable boat, holding about 15 people, or in their catamaran, which holds 50 people. You depart Port Allen and head along the coast along past PMRF and Polihale, then you stop to see honu and dolphins. If you’re in the rigid-hull inflatable, you’ll be able to cruise through caves and see the cliffs up-close. You pass the beaches of Na Pali, and head back to Nualolo Kai for snorkeling and a deli-style lunch. The reef is about 15 feet deep and there’s plenty of room and lots of fish to see. The rigid-hull inflatable boat is a lot of fun, especially if you sit up front. However, if you’re not comfortable with bouncing about, you might want to take the catamaran, the Lucky Lady. Prices range from $135 to $165, depending on the tour you choose.

Na Pali Explorer, 808-338-9999, 877-335-9909, www.napaliexplorer.com, Highway 50 in Waimea. Their offices are right next to the gas station just as you enterWaimea Town. Na Pali Explorer provides a very enjoyable experience. They take the same route as Kaua`i Sea Tours up the coast, past PMRF and Polihale, along the Na Pali coast and back to snorkel and have lunch at Nualolo Kai. The tour guides are very friendly and knowledgeable. They know their stuff when it came to Hawaiian history and aren’t afraid to share it. They have two boats that you can go on, the Explorer I and the Explorer II. The Explorer I is a rigid-hull inflatable that holds about 20 people. It will take you through caves and, conditions permitting, can make a beach landing at Nualolo Kai. They’ll also take you on a short hike around the archaeologi- cal ruins of Nualolo Kai. Explorer II is a larger rigid-hull inflatable (about 48 feet) that holds more people and provides a more comfortable, shaded ride.

Capt. Zodiac Raft Adventures, 808-335-2719, www.napali.com, Port Allen Marina Center. Captain Zodiac gives you the choice of a five- or six-hour tour. You take the same route as the other tours but, on the six hour tour, you land at Nualolo Kai (weather permitting), have lunch and hike through the ruins of Nualolo Kai. And, of course, don’t forget the snorkeling. $159 per person.

Captain Andy’s, 800-535-0830, 808-335-6833, www.napali.com, takes
you on their 55-foot catamaran. They pretty much take the same route along the coast, past Polihale and Na Pali. What makes these guys
special is the food. Out of all the tour companies, Captain Andy’s serves the best lunch. Beyond the usual deli sandwiches and snacks, it’s a catered hot lunch that is quite tasty. $129 per person.

Liko Kaua`i Cruises, 888-732-5456 or 808-338-0333, www.liko-kauai.com. Check in at Obsessions Café inWaimea, next to the Big Save Market. What makes this tour special is that the captains share Hawaiian history and mythology with you, as well as their own family experiences over the generations. It gives the tour a very intimate feel. Enjoy an hour of snorkeling and a deli lunch. $120 per person.

Where to Rent Gear

Westside Sporting Goods, at 9681 Highway 50, 808-338- 1411 in Waimea, offers snorkeling gear (mask, fins and snorkel) for $5 day. You can also stop at the Big Save to pick up an underwater camera for about $12-$17, so you can capture and save your underwater adventures. To get the best shots, you’ll need to be pretty close.

Places to Snorkel

Salt Pond Beach Park is a great place for snorkeling if you want don’t want to go on a tour. There’s an outside reef and a lava wall that keep the beach virtually protected, especially on the ends. You don’t have to go far to catch a glimpse of the marine life here. The smorkeling is best toward the lava wall on either end of the beach. It’s a great place for beginners. Highly recommended, since parking is plentiful and there and there are plenty of showers, restrooms, and picnic areas.

Pakala Beach. I really can’t recommend this beach for snorkeling for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s a surfing spot, so you’re going to have to avoiding surfers. Even though there is a shallow reef inside (closer to shore), where you can see some marine life, it’s not the safest spot in the world. If you must snorkel here, you should be experienced. Otherwise, head over to Salt Pond Beach Park.

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