Kauai: NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia K
$227per person
See dates & pricesKauai, Hawaii · 92 trips compared
Kauai excursions: cliffs, canyons and the Na Pali Coast
Kauai is the oldest and greenest of the main Hawaiian islands, and much of it has no road. These Kauai excursions take you to the places a rental car cannot reach, with prices and reviews from Viator and GetYourGuide.
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Which Kauai excursion fits your day?
Start times and lengths are typical for the tours listed below. Prices are the lowest per-person price among them on 12 November 2026.
| Excursion | Starts | Takes | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na Pali Coast by boat | Morning or afternoon departures | 4 to 6 hours | $225 | Sea caves, waterfalls and spinner dolphins |
| Helicopter over Na Pali and Waimea | Flights throughout the day | 50 to 90 minutes | $159 | Waterfalls no trail reaches |
| Waimea Canyon | Morning pick-up | Half or full day | $174 | Red cliffs and canyon lookouts |
| Wailua River and Secret Falls | Morning departures | 4 to 5 hours | $135 | Paddling and a waterfall swim |
| Ziplines | Several start times | 2 to 4 hours | $169 | Adventure for families |
01
Na Pali Coast by boat
Morning or afternoon departures4 to 6 hoursSea caves, waterfalls and spinner dolphins
The Na Pali Coast on Kauai's north-west shore has cliffs up to 4,000 feet high and no road along it. Catamarans and rafts leave Port Allen on the south coast and run along the cliffs, often with a snorkel stop. Rafts go closer to the sea caves, catamarans are calmer and serve lunch on board. After Hurricane Lowell in September 2026, some Na Pali boat tours from Port Allen are running again, but the small harbor at Kikiaola in Kekaha is still closed, so please check with your boat company before you book.
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Kauai: Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure
$225per person
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Kauai: Deluxe Na Pali Snorkel Cruise aboard Lucky Lady
$234per person
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Helicopter over Na Pali and Waimea
Flights throughout the day50 to 90 minutesWaterfalls no trail reaches
A helicopter shows you the whole island in under an hour: the Na Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon and the wet heart of the island around Mount Waialeale. Most flights start from Lihue. Doors-off flights give the clearest photos.
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Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour
$489per person
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Kauai Private Doors Off Helicopter Tour: Ultimate Waterfalls
$425per person
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Kauai Deluxe Sightseeing Flight
$159per person
See dates & pricesTwo ways to see the Na Pali Coast
Boat or helicopter?
Prices are the lowest per-person price, reviews are added up across the trips we list below.
Top rated: Kauai: NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia K
By boat
Sea caves up close, a snorkel stop and lunch on deck. Best on a calm day.
- From
- $217
- Reviews
- 9,768
- Top rated
- 4.9
Top rated: Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour
By helicopter
The whole coast and Waimea Canyon in one hour. Best if you get seasick or have little time.
- From
- $159
- Reviews
- 8,289
- Top rated
- 5.0
03
Waimea Canyon
Morning pick-upHalf or full dayRed cliffs and canyon lookouts
Waimea Canyon is about ten miles long and up to 3,600 feet deep, and it is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. A road climbs along its western rim to several lookouts and on to Kokee State Park. Tours combine the canyon with the lookouts high above the Na Pali Coast.
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Kauai: Waimea Canyon, Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto Tour
$251per person
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Kauai: Waimea Canyon and Koke'e Tour
$220per person
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Waimea Canyon Downhill Bike Ride
$174per person
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Wailua River and Secret Falls
Morning departures4 to 5 hoursPaddling and a waterfall swim
On the east side, tours paddle up the Wailua River by kayak and then walk through the rainforest to a waterfall that locals call Secret Falls. The paddle and the walk are both easy to moderate. Bring shoes that can get wet and muddy.
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Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike
$135per person
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Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide
$150per person
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Wailua River Kayak & Hike Adventure to Secret Falls
$145per person
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Ziplines
Several start times2 to 4 hoursAdventure for families
Kauai's ziplines cross river valleys and old sugar plantation land on the south and east sides. The Koloa zipline near Poipu is the most reviewed one on the island.
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Koloa Zipline in Kauai
$170per person
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Kipu Zipline Safari - Kayak, Hike & Zipline
$274per person
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Koloa: Kauai’s Longest 8-Line Zipline Tour
$169per person
See dates & pricesKauai questions
Good to know before you book a Kauai excursion
What is the best excursion on Kauai?
For most visitors it is a Na Pali Coast boat tour. It is the only way to see the sea caves and the cliffs from below, and it is the classic Kauai excursion. A helicopter flight is the best choice if you get seasick or want to see Waimea Canyon in the same trip.
Raft or catamaran on the Na Pali Coast?
A raft is smaller and faster and can go closer to the sea caves, but the ride is bumpy. A catamaran is calmer, has a toilet and shade, and usually serves lunch. Families with small children and anyone prone to seasickness are better off on a catamaran.
Where do Na Pali boat tours leave from?
Most Na Pali boat tours leave from the main harbor at Port Allen on Kauai's south coast. The drive takes about 20 minutes from Poipu and about 30 to 35 minutes from Lihue. Some rafts use the small harbor at Kikiaola near Waimea, which Hurricane Lowell damaged in September 2026, so check the departure point with your operator.
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