Seven trips, ranked by what guests rave about. Filter by the kind of day you want or by where the tour leaves from. Prices are "from" rates before tax and booking fees.
Kekaha · West Side
Four and a half hours along the full 17-mile Nā Pali Coast on an 18-guest power catamaran from Kekaha, the closest harbor to the cliffs. Sea caves, waterfalls, dolphins and a swim stop when the ocean allows.
ʻEleʻele · Port Allen
The adventurous way to see Nā Pali: a 37-foot rigid-hull raft that goes into the sea caves, under the waterfalls and alongside the dolphins, with a reef snorkel stop in summer. Rated 4.9 across 4,000 reviews.
Hanalei · North Shore
The only Nā Pali departure on the north shore. Load from the beach at Hanalei Bay and reach the cliffs in 15 minutes, with snorkeling, sea caves, drinks and lunch in summer and whale watching in the fall.
Līhuʻe · Līhuʻe
A private one-hour flight for 1 to 3 people over the whole island: Nā Pali, Waimea Canyon, the Jurassic Park waterfall and the wettest spot on earth. No middle seat, doors off if you want them, 5.0 stars across 2,200 reviews.
Kapaʻa · East Side
Paddle two miles up Hawaii's only navigable river, hike a mile through the rainforest, and swim under a 120-foot waterfall. Five hours, from $115, with the island's top-rated guides. Weekdays only.
Kōloa · South Shore
Eight ziplines across the Waita Reservoir and 22,000 acres of old sugar plantation, including a half-mile line, the longest on Kauai. Hands-free harness, tandem for kids, from $159. Five minutes from Poʻipū.
Hanamāʻulu · Līhuʻe
Float the hand-dug canals of an 1870s sugar plantation through five dark tunnels with a headlamp on your helmet, then a picnic lunch at a swimming hole. Three hours near Līhuʻe, ages 5 and up, from $168.
We only list one operator per activity, and it has to be the one we would send our own family out with. We weigh verified review scores (every pick is 4.8 stars or better, and most are 4.9 or 5.0), the crew's safety record and Coast Guard or FAA certification, how the trip actually feels on the day, and value for what is included. The Nā Pali Coast gets three entries on purpose: a year-round power catamaran from the west side, an adventure raft from Port Allen, and the summer catamaran from Hanalei, because which one is right depends on the month and where you are staying. We update prices and seasons every few weeks. If an operator slips, it comes off the list.
