🌊 Why a Captain Andy’s Napali Coast sailing tour is a must-do on your trip to Kauai

If you’re visiting Kauai, a boat tour up the Napali coast is an absolute must-do on your trip. The breathtaking cliffs, crystal clear water, hidden waterfalls and stunning sunsets make this a truly once-in-a-lifetime bucket list bucket list item. If you are wanting to explore the Napali coast, there are really only two main options, by air (helicopter) or by sea. I personally love being out on the water so a sailing tour was my pick. In this review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about my experience on Captain Andy’s Napali Coast tour—including pricing, what to expect, and whether it’s worth the splurge!

🚢 Tour Options & Pricing: Which Captain Andy’s Cruise is Best?

Captain Andy’s offers a few different tour options:

• Napali Snorkel Sail (AM) – A half-day catamaran tour with snorkeling & BBQ lunch. This is perfect for low-key adventure seekers wanting to swim in the crystal clear water.
• Napali Sunset Dinner Sail (PM) – A relaxing evening cruise with drinks & multi-course dinner. Ideal for a more romaintic, laid back evening expereince with gorgeous sunset views.
• Napali Raft Expedition – A more adventurous zodiac boat tour that gets up close to sea caves. This is definitely for adventure seekers as the raft does not have any shaded areas or bathroom facilities. The ride can be long and the waves can be super choppy.

Which should you choose?

We chose to do the Napali Sunset Dinner Sail for a more relaxed experience as well as sunset views.

If you are looking for a more family-friendly, laid-back, or romantic experience, go with one of the sailing options. The boat was very comfortable, and spacious and handled the choppy water conditions well. If you are prone to sea-sickness, I would also 100% choose the sailing boat.

If you are looking for a unique, adventurous experience, the raft will be a good fit for you. This is definitely an amazing way to explore the Napali coast in a special way that allows you to explore caves and hard-to-reach areas along the breathtaking coastline. Just be prepared to get a bit wet!

💰 Pricing: Tours start at around $200 – $500 per person, depending on the chosen experience.

⛵ My Experience on the Napali Coast Sail

Here’s what you can expect on Captain Andy’s sailing tour:

1. The Boat & Crew: 5/5

The catamaran sailboats are spacious with plenty of seating up front for a more adventurous ride, if the conditions are choppy be prepared to possibly get a bit wet in the splash zone! If you are looking for a more peaceful trip, there is plenty of seating in the back with equally gorgeous vows. The crew really made the experience so special as they were so attentive, getting us drinks, and food and also making sure we were safe and looked after the entire journey. We did end up getting a bit wet from some of the waves and the staff were quick to help us dry off and also make sure we had drinks in hand so we could get back to relaxing. 

2. The Scenery & Wildlife 5/5

Sailing along the Napali Coast literally feels like stepping into a movie scene. The sea cliffs towering over the crystal blue ocean, massive lush valleys, and secret beaches and waterfalls create a jaw-dropping background for this tour. We opted for the sunset sail, so that meant we also got stunning sunset views over the water. We were also lucky enough to have a bit of time to do some whale watching. The captain was wonderful at sailing over to any areas where we spotted whales so we could get a closer look. We went in January and we were lucky enough to spot a few humpback whales which was so special.

3. The Food 5/5

For a boat tour, the food was surprisingly delicious! I went on the tour without expecting the food to be very good as we were really just here for the Napali Coast views. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how delicious and flavourful the dinner is. We had a fresh salad, surf and turf dinner with lobster and fillet mignon and dessert. We got to sit anywhere around the boat to enjoy dinner and the staff came around to serve us. It was also fun to watch the chef prepare the meals on the grill on the back of the boat.

💡 Pro Tips for Your Captain Andy’s Napali Coast Tour

✔️ Book in advance. Tours sell out quickly, especially during peak season.
✔️ Take motion sickness meds. The waters can get choppy, be sure to take any meds a few hours before setting sail.
✔️ Choose the morning tour if you want to swim. Choose the evening tour if you want views of the sunset.
✔️ Bring a waterproof phone case. You’ll want to capture the views in the splash zone without your phone getting wet.

✔️Have a quick lunch in Hanapepe. Grab a light lunch right around the corner from the dock in the town of Hanapepe. Dinner is served closer to the end of the trip so you don’t want to start off the day hungry.

📍 Is Captain Andy’s Napali Coast Tour Worth It?

Absolutely! There were quite a few tours to choose from when I was researching the Napali Coast. I ultimately chose Captain Andy’s based on the countless 5 star reviews, and it exceeded my expectations. From the comfort of the sail boat, to the attentiveness of the staff and the quality of the food, I was blown away from start to finish. And of course, the views were 10/10 all around!

🌺 Would you take this tour? Let me know in the comments!