Na Pali Coast | Traditional – Ha’ena to Polihale – by Sea Kayak

April 20 to October 19

Staying Po’ipu/Kapa’a/Wailua?

Avoid the long drive and start and end this long day, at our convenient Marina location!

A one-day guided sea kayak adventure along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast — the “Mount Everest” of sea kayaking!

Why go with us:

• Pioneered this tour
• Best Safety Record in the industry
• Smaller “boutique” groups
• Weather conservative…when in doubt we don’t go out!

For paddling speed, ease, comfort, and safety, we exclusively use “sit-on-top” two person plastic sea kayaks with foot controlled rudders and comfortable backrests that offers good support.

This will be a long, impressive day of warm coastal paddling and caving along the monumental Na Pali Coast with your island guide(s).

Marvel at sea caves. plunging waterfalls, hanging valleys and secluded beaches.

Paddle beyond the verdant valley of Kalalau, past the arches of Honopu, and into the azure waters of a volcanic sea cave. Encounter Dolphins, Tropic Birds and upon occasion, the elusive Monk Seal.

Later, pulling ashore, we’ll spend a few hours stopping to rest and have lunch on the quiet beach of Milolii. At Milolii we can swim, beach comb, and visit an old Hawaiian fishing heiau (fishing shrine).

Polihale State Park, where the cliffs meet the sand dunes, is our final destination. After a refreshing shower, a van awaits, ready to whisk you back to our Wailua River Marina around 7:30 p.m., with your memories of the cliffs and warm sea.

Watch a Video Preview of the Na Pali Coast Sea Kayaking Tour

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Tour Overview and Highlights

Rated:

• A very rigorous adventure, recommended for the very few
• The Na Pali Coast a 18.6 mile one way paddle

When And Where:

• April through October
• Check-in at 6:00 a.m. at our Wailua River Marina
  • Free shuttle pick up for points North
    • The tour starts and ends at Marina
    • If picked up North, you are responsible after the tour, for arranging transportation from our Marina Shop back North.
• Shuttle departs 6:30 a.m.
• Reservations recommended at least three weeks in advance

Included:

• Guide(s) State certified and trained in water safety.
• Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) i.e. life preservers.
• Sit on top, two-person kayaks with foot pedal rudders
• Backrests
• Water-resistant bags
• Scrumptious, mouth-watering sandwiches (turkey, ham, vegetarian or PBJ)
• Lightweight carbon fiber touring paddles
• Variety of tropical juices and sparkling water
• We will no longer be issuing plastic water bottles!
  • To reduce plastic waste we now have a Water Filtration Station 
    • B.Y.O.Water Bottle/Containers and fill up with purified cold water!

You are never married to a boat! We try to honor relationships, but at times to even out a group, your guide may mix a weaker paddler with a stronger one, in the interest of keeping to time and schedule.

Guide(s):

• Our Guide to client ratio is: one guide to seven clients
• Our guides are CPR/Ist Aid trained and State of Hawaii sanctioned

Guide(s) carry:

• VHF Radio
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio beacon (EPIRB)
• Flares
• First Aid Kit
• See Rescue device

What To Bring:

• Sun protection
• Water
• Light long sleeve shirt
• Windbreaker
• Bathing suit
• Footwear (aqua socks or tennis shoes)
• Towel and change of clothes

Age Requirements:

• This is a strenuous journey. Paddlers under 16 years need Head Guide approval, in order to participate.

Physical Requirements:

• Participants should be comfortable in the water, in good physical condition and not prone to sea-sickness
• Recommended only for very active individuals, couples and families
• About five to six hours of intermittent paddling — This activity is rated “Rigorous”!
• **Solo paddlers paddle doubles with either guide or another client.

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Before you sign up, please be aware…

Weight Limit Rule of Thumb: 

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This is the roughest and longest sea kayak trip offered on the planet. It is NOT for everyone.

After pioneering and doing this tour for well over 38 years, we have learned a few things. We have learned most of all that this tour is not for everyone. It is a not a tour to talk someone into. For good reason we call this trip: The Everest of Sea Kayaking!

This is the roughest and longest sea kayak trip offered on the planet. Remember not only is it a 17 mile paddle, but surf launching and landings are often the norm. We usually have surf to negotiate at our take out at Polihale. The wind is a double-edged sword. When the winds don’t cooperate it is a long… long… and for some, a very strenuous day. When the winds are up you will “sail,” down the Coast for a price. These same wind that help, can also agitate the ocean and when accompanied by a groundswell, can make your kayak harder to manage with consequent “flip overs” the norm. If you flip over, will you “flip-out?”

This is not a “beginners” sea kayak tour. If you are having trouble handling your kayak you may be asked to exit 30 to 45 minutes at the Ke’e exit point.

Another companion of rough seas is seasickness. Seasickness is our #1 malady and is a real concern. There is no refund if we pull you out for “blowing chunks.” A seasick person does not paddle very well and can hamper an expedition.

For many experienced sea kayakers, they find the water off the Na Pali Coast to be generally some of the biggest waters that they have paddled. We have had many paddlers bailout because the seas were intimidating; over their heads; so to speak.

As with seasickness… there is no refund for the above mentioned scenarios.