About Us

Sail Na Pali with Us

Our Hanalei Bay departures from Kauai’s North Shore allow true sailing along the NaPali Coast. We take no more than 15-17 persons per trip and are located only 5 minutes North of Napali. We offer Hanalei’s only sailing tours and Kauai’s best snorkeling at Nualolo Kai. Established in 1971, we are a family-owned and operated Na Pali sailing catamaran company from Hanalei Bay. Our departures from Kauai’s North Shore allow true sailing opportunities along the Na Pali Coast. We take no more than 15­-17 passengers per trip and are located only five minutes north of Na Pali. We offer Hanalei’s only sailing tours and Kauai’s best snorkeling at Nu’alolo Kai. If you only have one chance to explore the Na Pali Coast, don’t waste it. We’ll do right by you.

FAQs About Our Sailing Style

  • Chevron down Information for pregnant passengers

  • Pregnant passengers traveling from October 1 through the week before Memorial Day will not be allowed to board due to rough ocean conditions.

    Hypothermia and motion sickness can occur. Therefore, if you are experiencing morning sickness, this tour is not for you.

    Those passengers wishing to board will be advised that this is a remote location with no cell phone service, no roads, and it is helicopter extraction only in the case of an emergency.

    We strongly advise pregnant passengers to stay on shore, but if you accept the risks that we have laid out for you here, you are welcome to board at your own risk.

  • Chevron down Do you allow infants or younger children?

  • Children younger than 7 are not recommended to sail to Na Pali. Small exceptions to the minimum age can be made for private charter requests (infants or toddlers are too young). You must receive the captain’s approval prior to booking. Please contact us for more information.

  • Chevron down How rough is the Na Pali? Will I get sea sick?

  • Please prepare for a wet and wild ocean tour if you decide to join us on our Na Pali Coast boat tours! Sailing Na Pali is adventurous and not for everyone. Persons with a history of motion sickness on long plane, car, or train rides should prepare for this tour in the same manner as land or air-based activities. Local stores carry over-the-counter anti-emetics (please check with your doctor first), or you can try local remedies like arm bands and crystallized ginger treats. When in doubt, it’s best to keep a light breakfast or afternoon lunch in mind.

  • Chevron down Do you go inside the sea caves?

  • Ku’uipo, our catamaran, has a 60-foot mast; therefore, we do not enter into the sea caves. As long as the ocean conditions permit, Captain Sundown will motor close to the Na Pali by “hugging” the coastline. Check out our social media for photos!

  • Chevron down Is there a bathroom on board?

  • Yes, we have a marine toilet facility down in one of the hulls. Special note: for safety reasons, we cannot open the hatch to the toilet on the open ocean due to splashing or rogue waves that could occur without warning. Too much ocean water could flood the hull, with water making that activity unsafe for all the passengers! Therefore, please advise the crew ahead of time that you may need to use the facility somewhere along the way, and the Captain can plan for a pit stop in the lee of the island, where it is safest to open a hatch. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

  • Chevron down Do you do drop-offs or pick-ups along the Na Pali?

  • It is not legal to provide commercial boat transport in this area. Please refer to the DLNR: Division of State Parks for more information.

  • Chevron down What happens if you catch a fish on your tours when trolling fishing lines?

  • Our captains enjoy hauling the big ones on board, and our passengers get to share in the excitement by reeling them in! We have caught papio, ono, ahi, kahala, mahi mahi, and barracuda, just to name a few! Check with our crew on sharing in the catch. Note: No gutting of fish ever occurs on board, and fish weighing over 20 pounds are iced down in coolers off-site for 48 hours before filleting.

  • Chevron down Are food and drinks provided?

  • All Na Pali tours include complimentary light snacks such as fresh fruit, chips, cookies, and bottled water, sodas, and juice. For the Snorkel Sail, there is the addition of a complimentary deli meat sandwich on French bread. If you must reject this offer of free lunch or snacks due to a special dietary restriction, please bring along a picnic-style meal you can enjoy, and we can keep it chilled in our extra large coolers.