# Kauai Things To Do

> The local's guide to the best things to do on Kauai: Nā Pali Coast boat tours from Kekaha, Port Allen and Hanalei, helicopter flights, the Wailua River kayak to Secret Falls, ziplining, a Nā Pali sunset sail and the island's best beaches. Honest breakdowns, real prices, what to expect, and where to book. Written on Kauai by locals who work on the water and the trails. One operator per activity, chosen on verified reviews, safety and the experience itself. Prices are "from" rates before tax and booking fees and are rechecked every few weeks.

## Facts worth citing

- Kauai is about 33 miles across and 25 miles tall, with no road around the Nā Pali Coast; boat tours reach it from the west side (Kikiaola Harbor, Kekaha), the south (Port Allen) or, in summer, from Hanalei Bay on the north shore.
- Hanalei departures run only when the north shore is calm, roughly March or April through October; from November through February the Nā Pali boats leave from Port Allen and Kekaha, which have the shortest run to the cliffs year round.
- Humpback whales are off Kauai from about December through March; summer (May to September) has the calmest seas and the best snorkeling along Nā Pali.
- The Wailua River is the only navigable river in Hawaii; Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls) is reached by a 2-mile paddle and a 1-mile hike, guided tours only on weekends.
- The sunny south shore (Poʻipū) is the driest side of the island; the north shore (Hanalei, Princeville) is the wettest and greenest.
- Nā Pali Coast Boat Tour: 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. From $199, 4.5 hours, season Year round, morning and afternoon departures, ages 4 and up. Rated 5/5 from 1247 reviews.
- Nā Pali Raft & Snorkel: 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. From $177, 4.5 to 5 hours, season Year round; snorkeling April through October, whale watching November through March, ages 6 and up. Rated 4.9/5 from 4022 reviews.
- Nā Pali Catamaran From Hanalei: 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. From $289, 4 hours (3 hours in winter), season March through December; snorkeling March through September, ages 4 and up. Rated 4.9/5 from 889 reviews.
- Private Helicopter Tour: 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. From $389, 1 hour in the air, season Year round, daily, ages 7 and up. Rated 5/5 from 2265 reviews.
- Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls: 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. From $115, 4.5 to 5 hours, season Year round, Monday to Friday only (the river is closed to tours on weekends), ages All ages per the operator; young kids paddle tandem with a parent. Rated 4.9/5 from 4522 reviews.
- South Shore Zipline: 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. From $159, About 3.5 hours, season Year round, daily, 7:15 am to 3 pm, ages 7 and up. Rated 4.9/5 from 1412 reviews.
- Nā Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: Four and a half hours on a 50-foot sailing catamaran to the Nā Pali cliffs at golden hour, with a stir-fry dinner, mai tais, beer and wine, and a champagne toast at sunset. The most-reviewed boat on Kauai. From $210, 4.5 hours, season Year round; check-in moves with sunset, about 1:30 pm in winter, ages 5 and up. Rated 4.9/5 from 6150 reviews.

## Top-rated things to do (one page each, with prices, restrictions, check-in details and FAQ)

- [Nā Pali Coast Boat Tour: The Power Catamaran From Kekaha](https://kauaithingstodo.com/napali-coast-boat-tour/): The best Nā Pali Coast boat tour: 4.5 hours on an 18-guest power catamaran from Kekaha, the closest harbor to the cliffs. Sea caves, dolphins, from $199.
- [Nā Pali Coast Raft Tour: Sea Caves, Snorkeling and Dolphins From Port Allen](https://kauaithingstodo.com/napali-coast-raft-snorkel-tour/): The top-rated Nā Pali Coast raft tour: into the sea caves and under the waterfalls from Port Allen, with a summer snorkel stop. From $177, ages 6+, 4.9 stars.
- [Nā Pali Coast Tour From Hanalei: 15 Minutes to the Cliffs](https://kauaithingstodo.com/napali-coast-tour-from-hanalei/): The Nā Pali tour that leaves from Hanalei Bay: 15 minutes to the cliffs, sea caves, snorkeling and lunch in summer, whales in fall. From $289, ages 4+.
- [Kauai Helicopter Tour: A Private Flight Over Nā Pali, Waimea Canyon and Waiʻaleʻale](https://kauaithingstodo.com/kauai-helicopter-tour/): The best Kauai helicopter tour: a private one-hour flight over Nā Pali, Waimea Canyon and the Waiʻaleʻale crater, every seat a window, doors off. From $389.
- [Wailua River Kayak to Secret Falls: The Guided Paddle and Hike](https://kauaithingstodo.com/wailua-river-kayak-secret-falls/): The top-rated Wailua River kayak tour: a 2-mile paddle, a jungle hike and a swim under 120-foot Secret Falls. About 5 hours, weekdays only, from $115.
- [Kauai Zipline Tour: Eight Lines Over the Old Kōloa Plantation](https://kauaithingstodo.com/kauai-zipline-tour/): The best zipline on Kauai: eight lines over the Kōloa reservoir including a half-mile zip, the island's longest. Hands-free harness, ages 7+, from $159.
- [Nā Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: Mai Tais and the Cliffs at Golden Hour From Port Allen](https://kauaithingstodo.com/napali-sunset-dinner-sail/): The top-rated Kauai sunset cruise: 4.5 hours on a 50-foot sailing catamaran to the Nā Pali Coast at golden hour, with dinner, mai tais and a champagne toast. From $210, ages 5+.

## Planning guides

- [The Perfect 5-Day Kauai Itinerary (Written by Locals, With Backup Plans for Rain and Surf)](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/5-day-kauai-itinerary/): Five days on Kauai in the right order: Nā Pali by boat and air, Waimea Canyon, a sunset sail, the north shore, with a family version and rain and surf backups.
- [The 12 Best Beaches on Kauai, by Shore (With the Safety Notes the Brochures Skip)](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/best-beaches-on-kauai/): The best beaches on Kauai by shore: Hanalei Bay, Tunnels, Kēʻē, ʻAnini, Poʻipū, Kalapaki, Lydgate, Salt Pond and Polihale, with lifeguard and winter safety notes.
- [Best Nā Pali Coast Tours: Boat vs Raft vs Helicopter vs Hike (A Local's Comparison)](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/best-napali-coast-tours/): Every way to see the Nā Pali Coast compared: catamaran from Kekaha, raft from Port Allen, the Hanalei boat, helicopter and the Kalalau Trail, with prices.
- [Best Time to Visit Kauai: Month by Month, From People Who Work on the Water](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-kauai/): When to visit Kauai for calm seas, whales, snorkeling or the Hanalei boats: month-by-month weather, water, swell, crowds and which tours suit each season.
- [Kauai Luau Guide: Which Luau to Book, What It Costs and What Actually Happens](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/kauai-luau-guide/): The luaus on Kauai compared: Luau Kalamaku, the Smith Family Garden Luau and the resort luaus, with prices, what is included and tips on seating.
- [Kauai With Kids: The Best Things to Do by Age, From a Family That Lives Here](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/kauai-with-kids/): Minimum ages for every Kauai tour, the beaches with lifeguards and calm water, the rainy-day plan and where to stay with children.
- [25 Best Things to Do on Kauai (A Local's 2026 Guide)](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/things-to-do-in-kauai/): The best things to do on Kauai, from the Nā Pali Coast by boat and air to Waimea Canyon, the Wailua River and Hanalei Bay, ranked by locals who work on the water.
- [Waimea Canyon Guide: Lookouts, Hikes, Kōkeʻe and How to Beat the Clouds](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/waimea-canyon-guide/): How to do Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe: the four lookouts in order, the Kalalau Valley view, the best short hikes, and why to be at the top by 10 am.
- [Where to Stay on Kauai: Poʻipū vs Princeville vs Kapaʻa vs Līhuʻe](https://kauaithingstodo.com/blog/where-to-stay-on-kauai/): Where to stay on Kauai by what you want to do: Poʻipū for sun and boats, Princeville for the north shore, Kapaʻa for a central base, with drive times.
- [Kauai map and where to stay](https://kauaithingstodo.com/kauai-areas/): How the island is laid out, where to stay, and which tours leave from where.
- [All adventures, ranked](https://kauaithingstodo.com/adventures/)

## About

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