Best Way to See the Na Pali Coast of Kauai
Wondering about the best way to see the Na Pali Coast of Kauai?
With its tall fluted cliffs interspersed with narrow valleys, slivers of golden sand beaches, sea caves to explore, and waterfalls to admire, the Na Pali Coast of Kauai is on every visitor’s bucket list.
Not surprising, because it is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on the planet.
With no road access through the remote coast, there are three ways to experience the beauty of the Na Pali Coast: from the air, from the ocean, and via hiking trails.
Each of the ways to see the Na Pali Coast offers a unique perspective, and if you have the time, the money, and the ability, you may want to experience this dramatic coastline all three ways!
Best Na Pali Coast Tours in a Nutshell
Activity Best Tours
(Reserve early, these sell out fast!)Aerial Views Helicopter, doors-off helicopter, airplane Boat cruise & snorkel Catamaran, raft, super raft Sunset tours Sunset & dinner, snorkel & sunset More options Na Pali, Waimea Canyon, Kauai
Considering a visit to the Na Pali Coast of Kauai? Be sure to visit the Na Pali Coast website for all the details you need to plan!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Kauai, check out some of the top things to do in Kauai, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
See the Na Pali Coast from the Air 🚁 ✈️
If time is a constraint, you are not on a tight budget, and you love an adventure, booking a Kauai helicopter tour or sightseeing flight is the way to go.
Book the top 5-star rated, immensely popular Kauai experiences! Reserve now (with free cancellation) before they sell out.
In the span of about an hour, you will soar over the most breathtaking landscapes on Kauai, including, of course, the Na Pali Coast, but also other wonders such as the Waimea Canyon and Jurassic Falls.
There is no denying that aerial views of the legendary coast make for an experience you will never forget. The holistic view of the coast just can’t be replicated from the water or by hiking.
A helicopter tour, while pricey, can swoop down to let you take in details like little waterfalls, secluded beaches, and sea caves, the colors of the mighty Honopu Arch, and details of the serrated cliffs and lush valleys.
🌺 Experience a Traditional Hawaiian Luau! Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture at the Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and Show. Enjoy a captivating performance and feast on local delicacies during this 4-6 hour event.
Helicopter tours and flightseeing tours operate year round, weather permitting, and you can choose from a number of flights each day.
Opt for a doors-off helicopter tour to have nothing but air between you and the beauty of the Na Pali Coast! 🚁
Sightseeing planes come with expansive glass windows so you can absorb the views. And an airplane tour is quite a bit more affordable than a helicopter tour. Flights with guaranteed window seats are available! ✈️
Top-Rated Kauai Helicopter Tours
Visit the Na Pali Coast from the Water 🌊 ⛴️ 🤿 🌅
While aerial tours offer expansive bird’s eye views over the Na Pali Coast, viewing the coastline at eye level from a boat or from a raft is also a treat for the eyes.
As you cruise along the coastline, you will have lots of time to appreciate the tall cliffs, the valleys in between, waterfalls, sea caves, and more. En route, be on the lookout for turtles and dolphins, and whales in winter.
You can choose between a catamaran cruise or a raft tour.
Catamarans are larger boats that offer relatively more stability, but because of their size they can’t venture through sea arches or inside caves. But ocean conditions permitting, they can get close to waterfalls and caves so you can appreciate them up close.
🛶 Paddle and Hike to Secret Falls! Embark on the Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Hike with Lunch. This 5-hour guided tour combines kayaking and a hike to a secluded waterfall, complete with a picnic lunch.
You’ll typically have about 45-50 people aboard a catamaran, which gives you enough room to move around.
On a catamaran, you can choose to sit topside, sit within a cabin on the lower deck, or sit or stand outside on the lower deck.
Morning catamaran cruises usually offer a stop for snorkeling, while afternoon cruises include sunset over the ocean.
🌄 Explore the Grand Canyon of the Pacific! Discover the natural wonders on the Kauai Waimea Canyon and Koke’e Tour. This 10-hour excursion offers panoramic views, visits to charming towns, and insights into Kauai’s history.
Note that the waters are relatively more calm in the dry season versus the wet season. Also, the ocean is relatively calmer in the morning and tends to be get choppier in the afternoon as winds pick up.
If you are prone to motion sickness, you will want to take your medication as indicated prior to your cruise.
If you are physically able and love an adventure, a Na Pali Coast raft tour will allow you a more immersive experience. In an inflatable raft, you can, ocean conditions permitting, zip in and out of caves and be soaked by waterfalls.
On the flip side, rafts are small vessels that can take only about 12-15 people. You’ll feel the ocean much more in a raft than a catamaran. There are no restrooms.
Boat and raft tours run year round, weather permitting, from Eleele on Kauai’s south shore. In the summer months, you may also find tours departing from Hanalei on the north shore, which is much closer to the Na Pali Coast.
Top-Rated Catamaran and Raft Tours of the Na Pali Coast
Hike the Na Pali Coast 🥾
The Kalalau Trail runs through the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, from Ke’e Beach in the north to Kalalau Beach in the south.
The Na Pali Coast hike, 11 miles one way, is a bucket list Kauai activity for able and experienced hikers.
Looking for a thrilling outdoor adventure on Kauai? Check out the Koloa zipline, where you will soar over lush green forests and the Waita Reservoir. These are Kauai’s longest ziplines! 🌳 🌴
Usually done as a backpacking trail with overnight camping at Kalalau Beach, the Kalalau Trail allows you to experience the coastline up close, from enjoying the views over the ocean to observing flora and fauna along the way.
Hiking the Kalalau Trail requires a permit if you plan to go beyond Hanakapiai Beach, which comes up at the 2-mile mark. Permits are issued 90 days in advance and get snapped up quickly.
Day hikers can hike the Kalalau Trail up to the first viewpoint (over Ke’e Beach), which is about 0.5 mile from the trailhead, or go up to Hanakapiai Beach at the 2-mile mark.
More intrepid day hikers can hike to Hanakapiai Falls, which involves a 2-mile each way detour into Hanakapiai Valley at Hanakapiai Beach. Hiking to Hanakapiai Falls does not require a permit.
The trailhead for the Kalalau Trail is located at Ke’e Beach in Haena State Park, which requires reservations for visitors that are not Hawaii residents.
🌊 Adventure Awaits on the Na Pali Coast! Join the Na Pali Coast Super Raft Adventure with Snorkel for a 4.5-hour thrill ride. Explore sea caves, snorkel with marine life, and experience the rugged beauty of the coastline.
Access Na Pali Coast Views by Road 🚗 🚶🏻♀️
While not the most optimal way to experience the coast, these viewpoints of the Na Pali Coast that you can access by road plus a short walk are still beautiful, so you will want to add them to your Kauai itinerary.
From roadside viewpoints in Koke’e State Park, you can get sensational views into the Kalalau Valley on clear bright days. These views are some of the best of the Na Pali Coast you can get without actually visiting the coast.
Ke’e Beach, a part of Haena State Park, offers views of the northern cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. The view is especially lovely at sunset.
In the south, Polihale State Park offers views of the southern cliffs. There’s a dirt road to negotiate to access the park and many rental car companies won’t allow you to drive on dirt roads.