Hawaii - Boat to the Napali Coast from North side

We will be heading to Kauai and staying in Princeville. I have been researching for a trip to see the Napali Coast via boats and notice many have 2 sailing times. One early morning and the other afternoon. Are there any advantages going to one over the other? I also been reading the Kauai Revealed guide and they've recommned several operators like Na Pali Sea Breeze, Na Pali Catamaran. Any experiences with these operators will be appreciated. I am also thinking about North Shore Charters. Thanks!

We will be heading to Kauai and staying in Princeville. I have been researching for a trip to see the Napali Coast via boats and notice many have 2 sailing times. One early morning and the other afternoon. Are there any advantages going to one over the other? I also been reading the Kauai Revealed guide and they've recommned several operators like Na Pali Sea Breeze, Na Pali Catamaran. Any experiences with these operators will be appreciated. I am also thinking about North Shore Charters. Thanks!

Sorry you haven't gotten any answers. I don't know of anyone who has ever used one of these companies. I could only recommend Blue Dolphin or Capt. Andy's which leave from Port Allen on the west side. If you plan to visit the other side of the island, you could combine a trip to the Waimea Canyon with the Napali Coast sunset cruise.

Sorry you haven't gotten any answers. I don't know of anyone who has ever used one of these companies. I could only recommend Blue Dolphin or Capt. Andy's which leave from Port Allen on the west side. If you plan to visit the other side of the island, you could combine a trip to the Waimea Canyon with the Napali Coast sunset cruise.

And that is exactly what we did on our honeymoon. We stayed at St. Regis Princeville but made a day of it to explore the west side of the island plus sail with Capt. Andy's for a sunset dinner cruise. I would highly recommend it. ^

And that is exactly what we did on our honeymoon. We stayed at St. Regis Princeville but made a day of it to explore the west side of the island plus sail with Capt. Andy's for a sunset dinner cruise. I would highly recommend it. ^

I couldn't agree more. I'll be doing it in a couple weeks for the (I think) fifth time. I think the food is pretty good too. You also get free t-shirts if you book the trip online. :) You can also choose a snorkel cruise, but you go further north along the coast if you take the sunset dinner cruise.

What is really cool is if you do all this on a clear day and you go to Waimea Canyon and go all the way to the Kalalau Lookout in Koke'e State Park and look down at the water. It's a spectacular site. Then, later in the afternoon, on the Napali Coast cruise, you get the view from the water and look up to where you stood in the morning. (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.summitpacificinc.com/Kauai/images/kalalau-lookout.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.summitpacificinc.com/Kauai/kalalau-lookout.html&h=400&w=600&sz=346&tbnid=fcXaZRKHjIM4pM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkalalau%2Blookout%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo% 3Du&zoom=1&q=kalalau+lookout&usg=__XoA5Z0DLLJKaefA2r-faX3AfgzU=&docid=eW9MQKgcQyPfEM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rXsZUJ36AY2u8QT7kIGwDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CGoQ9QEwAg&dur=1942)

We will be heading to Kauai and staying in Princeville. I have been researching for a trip to see the Napali Coast via boats and notice many have 2 sailing times. One early morning and the other afternoon. Are there any advantages going to one over the other? I also been reading the Kauai Revealed guide and they've recommned several operators like Na Pali Sea Breeze, Na Pali Catamaran. Any experiences with these operators will be appreciated. I am also thinking about North Shore Charters. Thanks!

If you go in the winter I wouldn't recommend a trip departing from the No. Shore. The ocean is quite rough. In fact, you may not find anyone doing these trips in the winter. In the summer you should be fine. Have fun. We used Holo Holo Charters from the south shore, a few yrs. ago, and had a good time.

Thanks for the replies. I think Capt Andy departs from the south and we are staying in the North. I am going to take suggestions from the Revealed tour books and try one of them. Will report back.

I would go in the morning; it will likely be calmer. The tradewinds tend to kick up mid-morning it can be quite choppy in the afternoon.

I would go in the morning; it will likely be calmer. The tradewinds tend to kick up mid-morning it can be quite choppy in the afternoon.

I've gone at different times of the day. My favorite is Capt. Andy's Napali Coast sunset dinner cruise. I wouldn't worry about the chop unless you get seasick easily.