Na Pali Coast Snorkeling
Looking to snorkel the Na Pali Coast on your Kauai vacation?
The turquoise waters off the remote Na Pali Coast of Kauai offer excellent snorkeling, with the opportunity to also see larger marine life such as dolphins and whales as you travel to the coast in a boat or raft.
While you can snorkel off the shore from Ke’e Beach in Haena State Park in the summer, ideally you want to invest in a boat or raft tour to really experience snorkeling at a secluded section of the beautiful coast or even off the island of Ni’ihau.
Considering a visit to the Na Pali Coast of Kauai? Be sure to visit our Na Pali Coast homepage for all the details you need to plan!
What marine life can you see on a Na Pali Coast snorkeling tour?
You’ll see schools of tropical fish, of course, and colorful coral, but you may also get to swim with honu — Hawaiian green sea turtles, as well as playful dolphins, and Hawaiian monk seals.
The Na Pali Coast (and Ni’ihau in particular) offer excellent opportunities to observe larger marine life.
Where do you snorkel along the Na Pali Coast?
Most Na Pali Coast snorkeling boat or raft tours make their snorkel stop at Nualolo Kai, where a reef offers habitat and food sources for marine life such as fish and turtles. You may also see monk seals resting on the beach.
Nualolo Kai Beach is secluded, and the water is about 10 to 20 feet deep at the shoreline, with a sandy bottom. Visibility is very good in the waters off the reef, especially in the morning. Some raft tours are permitted to land at the beach.
Larger vessels anchor in the water off Nualolo to allow for swimming and snorkeling.
Some (longer) Na Pali Coast snorkeling tours also include Ni’ihau, the Forbidden Island, which lies just off the coast of Kauai.
Usually, you’ll snorkel at Lehua Rock on Ni’ihau, where, because there is not much sand, the visibility is insanely good, reminiscent of Molokini on Maui.
When is the best time to snorkel the Na Pali Coast?
Mornings usually offer calmer waters and better visibility for snorkeling, so you’ll want to opt for a morning boat tour or raft expedition for the best experience.
In fact, snorkeling is only offered on some Na Pali Coast boat tours in the afternoon, and only for a brief window in the summer. The rest of the time, the waters tend to be too choppy in the afternoon to allow for good snorkeling.
Note, however, that morning boat and raft tours from Port Allen (Eleele) on the south shore leave early (between 6.30 a.m. and 7.30 a.m.), so allow yourself enough time to drive to the port, park, and check in for your tour.
What should you bring on a Na Pali Coast snorkeling tour?
Na Pali Coast snorkeling tours usually provide snorkeling gear but you can bring yours along if you wish. Full-face snorkels are not allowed.
Wear a bathing suit under your clothes, of course, and bring a towel or two (boat and raft tours generally do not provide towels). Use sunscreen, but opt for one that is reef-safe. Bring water shoes or sandals.
A rain jacket is a good idea if the weather forecast calls for showers and you want to stay dry after your snorkel and swim.
And of course, you will want to bring along an underwater camera to capture all the marine life you encounter!
Best Na Pali Coast Snorkeling Tours
Na Pali + Ni’ihau Catamaran Snorkeling Tour 🌊 🤿 🐢
Avid snorkelers that are looking for the best snorkeling adventure will want to consider a boat tour that combines the Na Pali Coast with Ni’ihau.
Although it’s a lot of time on the water (this tour is 8 hours total) and the channel crossing between Kauai and Ni’ihau can be rough, the catamaran is comfortable ar 65 feet and you will very likely get to see a rich variety of marine life.
On the crossing you may see dolphins but also melon-headed whales.
This tour includes breakfast and lunch, as well as beverages all through the tour. Alcoholic beverages are available after the snorkeling.
>>> Check price and availability for this Napali + Niihau snorkeling tour now!
Na Pali Coast Catamaran Sightseeing + Snorkeling Cruise 🌊 🐠 🤿
This Na Pali Coast morning snorkeling tour aboard a luxury catamaran has a swim stop where you can try out the amazing water slide!
The snorkeling portion of the tour allows you to look for the marine life that inhabit the reef here, but also keep your eyes peeled en route for dolphins (and whales in the winter).
Snorkeling gear and instruction are provided and the tour includes lunch.
>>> Check price and availability for this Na Pali Coast boat snorkeling cruise now!
Top-Rated Napali Boat Snorkeling Tours
Na Pali Coast Raft Snorkeling Tour 🌊 🐠 🐢
Head out to the breathtaking Na Pali Coast on a 37-foot super raft for an epic sightseeing and snorkeling adventure! This highly-rated raft snorkeling expedition provides lots of thrills in just 4.5 hours.
You’ll zip in and out of sea caves and under waterfalls and land at beaches where only rafts are allowed to land. On your snorkeling stop, you will have time to enjoy a swim and snorkel with marine life including sea turtles if you are lucky!
>>> Check price and availability for this Na Pali Coast raft snorkeling tour now!
Top-Rated Napali Raft Tours