Inaccessible by car, Kauai’s Napali Coast—regarded by many as the most beautiful coastline in the world—may be viewed by land, air and sea. As one tour operator put it, "It’s nice to explore the coast in a boat because ancient Hawaiians traveled the Napali by canoe. You can experience the Hawaiian presence this way."
The Napali is a 17-mile stretch of coastline on the Garden Isle’s west side. It took millions of years of wind and water erosion to form these majestic 4,000-foot cliffs ("napali" means "cliffs" in Hawaiian) with lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls and mysterious sea caves. In ancient times, this impenetrable coast protected Hawaiians from invasion, and the waterfalls helped the natives build thriving fishing and farming settlements in the area. Thousands of Hawaiians lived within the Napali’s beautiful valleys.
In more modern times, the Napali Coast has been a backdrop for several Hollywood blockbusters, including Jurassic Park and the remake of King Kong.
There are more than 20 companies on Kauai offering boat excursions to the Napali Coast. The vessels include Zodiac inflatables, power catamarans, sailing catamarans and cabin cruisers. Excursions are offered in the morning or afternoon, and generally last from four to five hours.
Most tours include a stop at a reef area for lunch or snacks and snorkeling or SCUBA (gear is provided). The captain and crew also share their knowledge of the area’s history and legends. As a bonus, many trips to Napali include encounters with exotic sea life, including spinner dolphins, sea turtles, monk seals and even humpback whales (whale-watching season is from December through May).
Summer is the best time to visit the Napali Coast via boat, as sea conditions are generally milder. During the winter months, excursions are held as ocean conditions allow.
It’s recommended that you book your adventure as early as possible to allow yourself enough time to reschedule, if necessary. Prices generally range from $60 to $120 per person, with discounts available for children. Most tours have minimum age requirements. Photo Credits:Photo2: to 4: Courtesy Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bu ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. |
