Riding the swells of the great Pacific tucked safely in a powered rigid-hull rubber raft is a great way to get an PHO TO: OUTFITTERS K AU A‘I
the towering cliffs and deep-green valleys of the NĀPALI COAST . Zodiac inflatable rafts are small, durable and look like lifeboats. These sturdy inflatables can be used to search for whales, pull up on beaches, steer into sea caves at the base of the Nāpali Cliffs, or hit up snorkel- worthy reefs filled with coral and fish. Snorkel gear is part of the package, and most companies provide lunch.
If a luxury super-raft is more to your liking, take a cruise with CAPTAIN J’S KAUA‘I OFFSHORE ADVENTURES , which offers views of the island’s magnificent coastline via its fast-paced vessel, the 37-foot-long Naiad, Kaua‘i Voyager I.
On most rafting tours, you’ll spend about five hours on the ocean exploring sea caves and waterfalls, watching for sea life and racing the swells. Many tours take off from PORT ALLEN MARINA in ‘Ele‘ele. Others launch from KUKUI‘ULA and KIKI‘AOLA HARBORS on the west side. Some will even get you into “the rabbit hole,” or WAIAHUAKUA SEA CAVE , which is the world’s second-longest sea cave, measuring in at 1,155 feet in length. BLUE DOLPHIN CHARTERS 808-335-5553 | BLUEDOLPHINKAUAI.COM CAPTAIN J’S KAUA‘I OFFSHORE ADVENTURES 808-651-4502 | NAPALIHAWAII.COM CAPTAIN ANDY’S SAILING ADVENTURES 808-335-6833 | NAPALI.COM CAPTAIN NA¯ PALI ADVENTURES 808-338-9818 | CAPTAINNAPALI.COM KAUA‘I SEA TOURS 808-335-5309 OR 800-733-7997 | KAUAISEATOURS.COM NA¯ PALI RIDERS 808-742-6331 | NAPALIRIDERS.COM NORTH SHORE CHARTERS 808- 828-1379 | KAUAINORTHSHORECHARTERS.COM