Frequently Asked Questions

First and foremost, raft tours are not for everyone so we are glad you are reading into this. This is not a cruise but a “ride” and we need that to be very clear to all of our passengers. The advantages to touring Na Pali on a Zodiac raft are plentiful but make no mistake, this is for the adventuresome and physically fit/able only. A list of the physical restrictions/requirements/guidelines is shown below, and then again on the bookings page.

1. No pregnant woman allowed onboard
2. No children under 6 years old unless the tour is a private Whale Watch, in which case please call us to discuss your options at (808) 635-7238.
3. No bad backs, necks, or joint issues
4. No heart issues or recent surgeries of any type
5. Need to have the core and arm strength to literally hold onto the side of the Zodiac raft and keep yourself from falling out

Also, if you are allergic to getting wet, please stay as far away from this tour as you can. We are a high speed raft adventure that jumps, skips, and splashes our way over to the wettest spot in the world. In addition, we usually swim or snorkel at some point during the tour. There is nearly a 100% chance that you will get completely soaked from head to toe! (but donʻt worry, we have dry bags for your camera gear).

Rather than being on a slow, boring, and crowded catamaran (cattle-maran), rafts enable you to have fun even while in transit because the ride itself is a blast. If you are in good physical shape, pass our screening process, and love adventure, this should be the highlight of your vacation here on Kauaʻi.

Our Morning Rafting Adventure departure time is 8am (Check-in time is 7:15am sharp).

Our Afternoon Rafting Adventure departure time is 1pm (Check-in time is 12:30pm sharp).

Our Winter Whale Watch departure time is 1pm (Check-in time is 12:30pm Sharp).

We highly recommend choosing a date for your tour that is early in your vacation window in case we need to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances.

Yes, and we like you! From ship to boat, you’re our kind of people!

Different ships arrive at different times so it will be up to you to choose one of our tours that fits into your ship’s schedule. Usually, the ships are only on Kaua’i for a day or two. With such a narrow window, we highly recommend reserving your tour far in advance.

Note: The small harbor that we use (Kikiaola) near Na Pali Coast is an hour’s drive away from the large harbor (Nawiliwili) used for the cruise ships. Taxis are usually readily available but we recommend prearranging your ride before your arrival to Kaua’i. Renting your own car is also an option which might be cheaper and more practical.

Sorry, we do not offer transportation services.

Our Na Pali Coast boat tours are $189 + tax for adults and $169 + tax for children 12 and under. Private Na Pali Coast Charters are $2300.00 + tax (up to 14 passengers).

For our Whale Watch Expedition, we only offer private charters (up to 14 pax). The cost for our 2.5-3 hour Private Whale Watch Charter is $999 + tax.

Yes we do! Our Private Na Pali Coast Rafting Adventure is $2,300 + tax (an over $200 discount from the per person rate) and our Private Whale Watch Expedition is $999 + tax.

Our children’s price is $149 + tax (12 and under).

On our Private Whale Watch Expedition, the price is the same regardless of passenger ages. The cost for a Private Whale Watch Expedition is $999.00 + tax.

Yes, we do. The minimum age on our shared Na Pali Rafting Tour is 6 years old and morning tours are strongly encouraged for calmer seas and higher dolphin encounter odds.

For our private Whale Watch Expedition, the minimum age is 4 years old.

Snorkeling is generally only possible during the summer months but we are prepared with our snorkel gear year round just in case. In the winter, humpback whales arrive and are a sight to see, which generally more than makes up for the loss of snorkeling.

Note: When conditions don’t allow for snorkeling, we can usually find a calm area around the corner from Na Pali, generally with a sand bottom that is perfect for swimming.

Our rafting adventures are primarily sight-seeing tours. We prefer to think of snorkeling as a possible bonus when conditions allow for it. We have top of the line snorkel gear onboard at all times so that we are ready when Mother Nature calls for it. If we are unable to snorkel, we’ll do our best to find a calm, clear water, sandy bottom area, to swim.

Yes!  We receive a lot of positive comments about our snorkel gear. You will be impressed with the quality and cleanliness of our equipment. Everything is onboard at your disposal. Masks with comfort straps, defogger, fins, life-vests, and even inflatable snorkel-vests.

Due to the limited space on our rafts, we recommend bringing only what you can fit into the dry bags that we provide for you. With that said, your own mask/snorkel would be fine but fins should be left behind. Thank you in advance for understanding.

Yes, we do! We have child-size masks, snorkels, life-vests, and fins on board at all times.

We do have some prescription masks on board but it is hard to stock every corrective lens for every different face. Our advice is if you know you will be needing a special lens mask, go to a snorkel shop like Seasport Divers and try on a few different options until you find the perfect mask. Consider our onboard prescription masks as more of a backup.

Yes and No. We have life-vests (both adult sizes and child sizes) on board at all times but you don’t have to wear them unless you are 12 or under. For those 12 and under it is Hawaii State Law that they wear them at all times the vessel is underway.

Before boarding our boat you will be given a dry bag for all of your electronics and towels. These bags are air and water tight so long as they are sealed properly. Your captain will make announcements throughout the tour when it is safe to remove your electronics from your bag. It is important to understand that whenever your camera is out of the bag it is at risk. Ideally, we recommend playing it safe and bringing a waterproof camera. A waterproof camera will also be beneficial for your snorkel experience.

Dry Bag = A sealable bag that is completely waterproof submergible if closed and sealed properly. Each bag is large enough for a couple of towels and a camera.

Absolutely, we do. Follow these simple steps to greatly reduce your odds of motion sickness. One of the most important tips is to get a good nightʻs sleep before your tour. Also, be careful of what you eat 24 hours before your tour. Ideally, you want to be on a lighter stomach, eating only simple and bland foods. If you are known for having motion sickness issues, pick up a box of Bonine over the counter at any local grocery store. Be sure to take a Bonine pill the night before as well as the morning of your tour. This will ensure the medication is well activated within your system. Some people also like to wear the wristbands.  Once onboard, we have a few more tips if needed, however, at that point itʻs best to not think about becoming seasick and just enjoy the ride.

For your information, contrary to common belief, smaller boats with faster, exciting rides drastically decrease your chances of becoming seasick. Slower, larger, smooth rolling vessels are much more likely to induce motion sickness. This is why you probably never heard of anyone getting seasick on a jetski. With that said, the type of boat Na Pali Pirates uses is probably the least likely boat on the coast to get anyone sick. If you get sick with us, consider yourself very sensitive.

We accept all major credit cards and gift certificates only.

Yes, of course, we can do that for you. If you have already reserved a tour with us, please call us at (808) 635-7238 and we can split payment in your reservation.  If you are yet to reserve a tour with us, often times the easiest way is to reserve independently online for the same tour at the same time. However, you may also call us at 808 635 7238 with all the credit cards in hand and reserve as a group.

The moment you reserve a tour with us your card will be charged. Our cancellation policy is very lenient. Cancel anytime up to 48 hours before your tour departure and there is absolutely zero penalty. However, cancel within 48 hours of your tour departure for any reason and there is a 100% penalty charge including tax. In other words, please don’t back out on us at the last minute. Travel insurance is highly recommended in case of the event of a last minute cancellation. Travel insurance covers airfare as well as tours like ours. Mahalo!

Our customer cancellation policy is 48 hours. You may cancel your reservation with us anytime up to 48 hours from your scheduled tour departure time with ZERO penalty; once within 48 hours of your scheduled departure time, there is a 100% penalty charge including tax. If you are the type to make last minute cancellations, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance so that you are covered regardless. Travel insurance covers airfare as well as tours like ours. Mahalo for understanding.

If we cancel for any reason, there is no charge to anyone. Full refunds are issued on the spot without the need to call us. Emails with all the refund details will be sent out for your records. As always, feel free to call us if you have any questions or concerns. (808)635-7238.

Gratuity is never expected but always appreciated. The industry average seems to be somewhere between 10% and 20% of your sales total, depending on your captains performance. We do believe we have the best captains/crew in the industry and we appreciate you wanting to appreciate them. They’re worth it, we promise!

Cash directly from you to them is the most meaningful and probably preference number 1. For those without cash, most captains also have Venmo as an option. As a last resort, you can call the office and we can add the charge to your credit card on file. Mahalo!

Yes! Please call us at 808 635 7238 to purchase a gift card that can be used for both Na Pali Pirates and Na Pali Experience (our parent company that offers power catamaran rides). Mahalo!