Na Pali Coast | Na Pali Iki – Polihale to Miloli’i & Back – by Sea Kayak

—April 19 thru October 18—



A 10-mile round trip sea kayak adventure along the  South West  Pali Coast

In the morning calm, we are often paddling or snorkeling with pods of Spinner dolphins and Green sea turtles.

Monk seals often greet us at our lunch and rest destination at remote Miloli’i beach.


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 offer good support.

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

Treasure Beach is a great place to rest offshore or take time to snorkel.

Marvel at a few shallow sea caves, secluded beaches, and hanging valleys.

Along the way encounter Dolphins, Tropic birds, and upon occasion, the elusive Monk seal. Sightings of Green sea turtles are guaranteed.

Paddle or snorkel with pods of dolphins, turtles and monk seals!

Pulling ashore, we’ll spend a few hours stopping to rest and have lunch on the quiet beach of Miloli’i. At Miloli’i 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 launching area and return destination.

After a refreshing shower, a van awaits, ready to whisk you back to our Wailua River Marina more or less 4:30 p.m., with your memories of the cliffs and warm sea.

Paddle the early morning with dolphins!

Photo: Tim De La Vega


BOOK THIS TOUR


Tour Overview and Highlights

Rated:

  • A rigorous adventure recommended for the very active.
  • Polihale State Park to Miloli’i is a 10-mile round trip paddle

When And Where:

  • April through October
  • Check in Wailua River Marina 6 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 and rudders
  • Backrests
  • Water-resistant bags
  • Mask + Snorkel
  • Lightweight carbon fiber touring paddles
  • Scrumptious, mouth-watering sandwiches (turkey, roast beef, ham, salami, vegetarian and P&J)
  • 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 the State of Hawaii sanctioned

      Guide(s) carry:

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

      What To Bring:

      • Sun protection
      • Water
      • Light long sleeve shirt
      • Windbreaker
      • Bathing suit
      • Footwear (aqua shoe or sport sandals)
      • Towel and change of clothes

      Age Requirements:

      • This can be a strenuous journey. Paddlers under 16 years are not allowed without permission of Head Guide.

      Physical Requirements:

      • Participants should be comfortable in the water, in good physical condition and not prone to sea-sickness
      • Recommended only for 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.

      BOOK THIS TOUR


      If you don’t get to Miloli’i

      On our Na Pali tours, the immediate goal is always Miloli’i and with a stellar group and benign winds, the possibilities can include even paddling further up the coast to the Open Ceiling Cave.

      At times weather and group dynamics can conspire against us.

      Rounding the point to our lunch and rest site at Miloli’i can be extremely windy and coupled with surf can defeat a group and “deny entry”.

      In those rare instances, we will “take a curve and make it a plus” and dedicate more time to snorkeling, exploring the shallow caves, and lunching as we return to the marvelous beach of Polihale.

      _______________

      For clients who at or during launch time or soon after in the water decide to cancel, know that there is no refund; paddler(s) will be expected to wait at Polihale beach until the tour returns at the end of the day.

      There is no refund if we do not reach our goal of Miloli’i.

      Before you sign up, please be aware…this tour is not for everyone.

      Weight Limit Rule of Thumb: 

      Our double kayaks can comfortably handle 500 pounds or less.
      If participants surpass this weight limit we encourage a motor boat alternative.

      —–

      After pioneering and doing this tour for well over 40 years, we have learned a few things. We have learned most of all that this tour is not for everyone. It is not a tour to talk someone into.

      It is a 10-mile round trip paddle, with surf launching and landings the norm.

      We usually have surf to negotiate at our put in/take out at Polihale.

      Polihale State Park is on the lee side of the island and morning is generally quite calm for our kayak launch. That said flipping over in your craft is a real possibility. If you flip over, will you “flip-out?”

      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 and delay an expedition.

      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.


Reserve Na Pali Coast | Na Pali Iki - Polihale to Miloli'i & Back - by Sea Kayak:

Searching Availability...


Cancellation/Rescheduling Policy

Kayak Kauai observes a firm 24 hour cancellation policy. Any cancellations within 24 hours will receive no refund;(All Na Pali Coast kayaking tours or GROUPS of 6 or more require a 48 hour cancellation notice). Cancellations made by Kayak Kauai due to inclement weather conditions are 100% refundable.

Travel Insurance

Safety is no accident and on every tour we pay special attention to this fact. That said, travel insurance is not a bad idea, especially if a “dark cloud” decides to follow you. Find a company that offers medical, security evacuation and rescue services in the event of a medical or security emergency.