Sea Caves and Sea Arches
The sea caves and sea arches along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai are fun to see or explore on a boat or raft tour.
The many Na Pali Coast sea caves and arches were created by ocean waves relentlessly pounding the rock faces over thousands and thousands of years.
While you can view some of the caves and arches from a large catamaran, and even get close, smaller boats and rafts can cruise in and out of the caves, adding to the excitement quotient.
Note, however, that ocean swells may prevent even small craft from entering the caves or venturing close. Your captain will make the decision at the time of the cruise, with safety as the top consideration.
While there are many sea caves along the fabled coast, some of them are named and routinely feature on raft and small boat tours.
This highly-rated raft tour is a great option for exploring some caves and arches along the Na Pali Coast if ocean conditions permit!
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Best Na Pali Coast Sea Caves and Arches
Pirates Cave
The Pirates Cave, or Honololo Cave, is one of the tallest and deepest caves along the Na Pali Coast.
You can enter Pirates Cave in a small boat or on a raft tour, ocean and weather conditions permitting. When conditions do allow you to enter the cave, the experience is magical.
A waterfall cascades over the middle of the entrance, and you get a drenching as your boat or raft scoots through the entrance into the cave!
Beautiful moss covers the ceiling of the cave, and the filtered light creates a surreal ambience.
The Pirates Cave is actually three caves in one.
The Zebra Cave is so called because of the white lines of calcium deposits against the black of the rock. The middle cave is known as the Godzilla Egg Cave, due to the roundish boulders covered with pink coral. And the third cave, the Skull Cave gets its name from its skull-shaped feature.
Open Ceiling Cave
Reminiscent of the Blue Grotto in Capri, the Open Ceiling Cave features that surreal blue colored water in the summer, when the sun’s rays that enter through the hole in the ceiling penetrate the water and reflect off the sandy floor.
You can enter the Open Ceiling Cave in a raft or small boat, to marvel at the light phenomenon.
Waiahuakua Cave
One of the more unique caves on the Na Pali Coast, the Waiahuakua Cave features a waterfall that plunges to the floor of the cave through a hole in the ceiling.
Waiahuakua Cave is also called the Double Doors Cave, because your craft enters through one entrance, cruises past the cool waterfall, and then exits through another opening.
The Double Doors Cave is a very long cave. It is reportedly one of the longest sea cave in the world.
Honopu Arch
One of the most recognizable landmarks along the Na Pali Coast, the Honopu Arch juts out into the blue ocean. It is about 90 feet tall and 124 feet wide.
The walls surrounding the arch are high and colorful, the shades of rust and green making for stunning photos.
The Honopu Arch splits Honopu Beach, one of the most picturesque beaches along the Na Pali Coast, into two sections.
Honopu Valley, the mysterious valley behind the arch and the beach, is also known as the Valley of the Lost Tribe.
This beautiful section of the Na Pali Coast has featured in many movies!
Honopu Sea Cave
The Honopu Sea Cave is another Na Pali Coast sea cave you can enter to explore. Near the entrance is a lightly cascading waterfall.
The gray and black lava walls of the cave form a contrasting backdrop for the pink and bright red coral you will see here!
Look for schools of tropical fish in the water!
Sea Arch
Known simply as the Sea Arch, this Na Pali Coast rock formation can be seen in front of the Hanakoa Valley.
There is a waterfall here as well, and your raft will fo through the arch if ocean conditions permit. As you exit the arch, look for the spectacular long view of the Na Pali coastline.
How to Explore the Na Pali Sea Caves and Arches
A raft tour, or a small boat tour, is the optimal way to explore the many sea caves and arches along the Na Pali Coast.
While you can see some of these caves on a catamaran cruise, only small watercraft can actually enter the caves to allow you the most immersive experience.
On a wet and wild raft adventure, you will cruise in and out of caves, go through sea arches, and under waterfalls, marveling at the geological features, the color of the water, and the coral and fish.
While entry into caves is not guaranteed and is dependent on the weather and ocean conditions at the time of your tour, in the summer, you will likely have the relatively calmer conditions required for entry.
This highly-rated half-day Na Pali Coast raft adventure is a morning tour and includes a stop for snorkeling. Water conditions are likely to be calmer in the morning, and visibility better.
>>> Check price and availability for this Na Pali Coast raft tour now!