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Napali Coast Boat Tours Kauai

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If you’re going to Kauai, you likely know that the #1 thing to do there is see the Napali Coast. If you’re done any research at all, you probably know that it’s not just something you can drive up and see. Kauai’s Napali Coast is so isolated and rugged that it can only be seen by air, from sea, or on foot. You’ll find information about the pros and cons of seeing it each way here, but this post is all about seeing it from the water!

The best time to do a boat tour down the Napali Coast is during the summer months (April to October). This is when ocean conditions are calmest. Tours are offered (only leaving from the south side) during the winter months, but they’re frequently cancelled due to high surf.

There are a TON of companies that offer boat tours down the Napali Coast, so narrowing it down can be a little tricky. I strongly suggest picking a tour operator that leaves out of Hanalei instead of Port Allen (or anywhere on the south side). When you leave out of Hanalei, your whole tour is up and down the Napali Coast. When you leave out of Port Allen, you have to sail for almost an hour before you even get to the Napali Coast, and to make it back within the four hour allotted tour time, the boats often turn back early and you don’t even get to see the entire coast. Leaving out of Hanalei is only an option during the summer months though due to weather. If your trip is during the winter months, your only choices will be to leave from the south shore.

You’ll also have to narrow down what kind of boat you’ll take on your tour. Boats range from small ocean rafts to large catamarans. When you have an option, always go out on a smaller boat. The big catamarans (although cheaper) can’t venture into the sea caves and that’s one of the best parts of the Napali Coast. Most of the tours on Zodiacs (ocean rafts) are advertised as “snorkel cruises” or “snorkel adventures,” but don’t go in expecting too much. These are definitely boat tours of the Napali Coast to revel in the scenery of one of the most magnificent parts of Hawaii with a (sub par) snorkeling spot thrown in. It’s not terrible, but I’ve done a few different tours that stop at different spots and it has never been anything to write home about. You’re going to see the scenery and enjoy being out on the water.

Like I mentioned before, there are so many tour operators to choose from. If you follow the criteria I’ve outlined above when looking, you’ll end up having a great time. I can’t speak about every single tour, but here are a couple I recommend:

Kauai Helicopter Tours: Who Is the Best Company?

Kauai was pretty much made to be seen from the air. Only 20% of the island is developed which means that most visitors only see a tiny fraction of its splendors. And boy does it have splendors. I personally think that Kauai is the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands. Sadly, many of its most beautiful sites are so remote and difficult to reach that they remain unseen by all but the most intrepid hikers.

There are a TON of companies that offer helicopter tours of Kauai, so how do you know which one to pick? First of all, I don’t believe this is something you shop around the find the best deal. Helicopter and small airplane crashes aren’t unheard of in Hawaii and it’s usually a result of inexperienced pilots or ill maintained equipment. This is a time when paying more to go with a reputable company is a necessity. While I’m not going to do a rundown on every helicopter company in this post, I’m going to let you know my top three and you can pick based on what you’re looking for.

Blue Hawaiian: Blue Hawaiian is the granddaddy of all the tour operators. They fly on every major island, and their fleet is modern and impressive. I think they offer the most comfortable flight conditions available. They only fly doors ON flights. Their flights start at $269/person. Read reviews and search for discounts here.

On my last trip to Kauai, I flew on an 8:30AM departure with Blue Hawaiian on their 50 minute circle island flight. Their flights leave out of the Lihue Heliport, which is right next to the airport. Blue Hawaiian’s headquarters are in a nice building with a check-in desk, gift shop, restrooms, and safety briefing area. When you check in, they take your weight really discretely (I didn’t even know that’s what they were doing!) and this is how they determine seating assignments. About a half hour before our flight, we watched a safety video and got our personal flotation devices (a small pouch you wear strapped around your waist). This is also where we got our pilot’s name and seat assignments (there were three helicopters leaving at our departure time).

Next we went outside and waited on the lanai and watched the helicopters land from the previous tour, unload, and get refueled before we were loaded on. This flight was on an ecostar, which is known for being one of the more “comfortable” aircrafts you can fly on. It had four seats in the back and three in the front (including the pilot). I was seat #1 which is front middle right next to the pilot so I was the first one loaded. The flight crew led us out to the helipad one by one, buckled us in, and handed us our headsets. Once I was loaded, I could talk to the pilot through my headset.

Although I was a little nervous beforehand, I got a little psyched out once I was buckled in, but as soon as we were in the air I was completely fine. I’m not crazy about heights and was worried I might have some anxiety/panic being up that high, but it didn’t bother me AT ALL.

The Best Tour Operators for Biking Down Haleakala (Maui’s Dormant Volcano)

One of the most popular tourist attractions on Maui is Haleakala, a large dormant volcano whose slopes are the heartland of Maui. While tons of people ascend to the summit each morning to watch the sunrise, the lucky ones get to follow it up with a downhill bike ride from summit to sea.

In my opinion, biking down Haleakala is one of the best ways to experience the crater and Upcountry Maui while getting a little dose of excitement (van tours can be sooooo boring!). You don’t even need to be in great shape to do the bike ride…it’s all downhill! When I’ve done it, I probably pedaled less than about 10 rotations the entire time (this might vary depending if you’re ending in Paia or Haiku).

There used to be dozens of companies that offered some version of a sunrise/bike tour down Haleakala, but in efforts to minimize the impact of visitors to the National Park, starting in 2018 only four companies where awarded permits to operate road tours within the park.

So while many companies used to take you up to the summit in a van so you could see sunrise, and then put you on your bike at the entrance to the National Park (no bike rides are available WITHIN the park), the options are now much fewer. There’s only one company that offers sunrise tours at the summit with the option to bike down. There’s another company that offers the same but it also includes ziplining. And there’s also the option of going with a company that will take you up midmorning (no sunrise), and put you on bikes just outside of the National Park entrance. Depending on what you’re looking for (and what your budget is), all three can be good options. I’ll detail the three companies I recommend below, but first I would caution to look out for companies who promise sunrise at Haleakala with a bike tour but don’t have a permit. If you go with them, you’ll be watching sunrise from about 6,700 feet (outside the National Park entrance), not the summit. And if you’re going to go through the trouble of getting up that early and trekking all the way up there, you really ought to see it from the top.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Maui? Read up on the lay of the is(land) and where to stay plus my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels plus my area specific guides (including where to stay, eat, and things to do) for Wailea and Ka’anapali.

Bike Maui: Bike Maui is the only company that has a permit to offer van tours to the summit for sunrise in conjunction with a bike ride down. They’re pretty much the easiest route if you want to see sunrise (as a tour) and bike down. They have options for either self-paced or group tours. For me, I knew I didn’t want to ride down the mountain with a pack of people and be confined to where the guide chose to stop and their time constraints. So I definitely prefer a self paced tour. Many people pick the group led tour because they think they’ll be on their own if something happens along the way on a self-paced ride. Don’t let that be a deciding factor. Bike Maui will provide you with DETAILED instructions for how to contact them if you need roadside assistance (this covers everything from a flat tire to being too tired to finish to having one too many margaritas at lunch). They’ll also provide you with everything you need (i.e. full-face helmets, rain suits, backpacks, locks, and maps). I would suggest bringing water, sunscreen, and a jacket (especially if you’re doing the sunrise tour, in which case you’ll want PLENTY of layers). The only thing I dislike about Bike Maui is that on the self guided tour you end your ride in Haiku instead of Paia. It’s a cute little town on the north shore (more inland), although not as walkable and appealing as Paia. Guests must be at least 12 years old for this tour. Pickup from resort areas in West and South Maui is included in guided tours and is an additional $25/person for self guided tours. Self guided sunrise tours can be booked starting at $160/person (with an online early booking discount). Guided tours (with stops at Kula Marketplace and Paia) can be booked starting at $200/person. Read more reviews and search for discounts here.

5 Best Spas on Oahu

Hawaii is home to some of the world’s best spas and resorts and while Oahu doesn’t do luxury and relaxing experiences quite as well as some of the other islands (mainly Maui), there are still quite a few noteworthy spas on the island. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious setting, a connection to ancient Hawaiian culture, lavish treatments, or convenience, you’ll find something that suits you at these Oahu spas:

Moana Lani Spa (Moana Surfrider): The best spa in Waikiki is located in the heart of the strip in the most historic hotel in Hawaii while still feeling a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There’s a huge menu of offerings available at lower prices than you’ll find at the spas in Ko’olina and Turtle Bay. You can also purchase a spa day pass to use the facilities (lockers, steam room, whirlpool, sauna, and lounge overlooking the ocean. Find more information here.

Nalu Kinetic Spa (Turtle Bay): If you’re staying on or near Oahu’s famed north shore, this is your best spa option. The oceanfront facility offers a wide range of treatment options including traditional Hawaiian practices. They offer the unique option of a sunset massage as well as weekly happy hour specials (Monday through Friday) which include special deals on treatments that all include a glass of bubbly. Find more information here.

Top 20 Adventure Activities on Maui

If sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun is not your idea of fun, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy on Maui. From water sports to full day adventure excursions, here are some of the top adventure activities to do on Maui:

1.Snorkel Molokini & Turtle Town. Molokini Crater is Maui’s famed snorkeling spot and a short boat ride away from South Maui. This crescent shaped crater creates a protected refuge and ideal spot for snorkeling with countless species of fish and some of the most impressive coral formations in Hawaii. Boat trips to Molokini usually also include a stop at Turtle Town close to Makena. I suggest going with Kai Kanani on their sunrise cruise. They leave from Makena Beach, which is the closest point to Molokini so they’ll get you there fast and you’ll have plenty of time in the water before the other big boats start showing up for the day. Read more about snorkeling on Maui here.

2.Snorkel Honolua Bay. During the summer months, Honolua Bay (north of Kapalua in West Maui) has some of the best snorkeling in Maui (during the winter, it’s one of Maui’s most legendary surf spots). While the bay is accessible from the shore (more on that below), a lot of snorkeling excursions leaving out of West Maui (especially those that operate from Ka’anapali Beach) will include stops here. If you come by car, check out the overlook before you pull off down the trail and park. The entrance to the bay is rocky so you’ll need water shoes for sure. Read more on Maui snorkeling here.

3.Sunrise at Haleakala. Haleakala’s summit hits 10,000 feet making it an excellent place to watch the sunrise. Actually, this is one of THE most popular things to do on Maui, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The summit is a good 2-hour drive from most of the Maui resort areas and you’ll need to be up there well before sunrise to stake out a spot so depending on the time of you, you may need to leave your resort in the wee hours of the morning to make the trip. But it is spectacular. And soooooooo cold. Like seriously cold, not just cold by Hawaii standards. Bundle up. You must make reservations to go up for sunrise 60 days in advance (they sell out in minutes) through the National Park. Seriously, create an account and get logged in before spots become available or you may miss out. They also release a hand full of last minute tickets at 7AM (HST) two days in advance. Once you have your tickets, you still have to pay the entrance fee ($25/vehicle) at the gates.

4.Hike the Crater. The summit of Haleakala offers a landscape that is quite “other worldly.” You may think you’re on Mars instead of Earth. There are many hiking trails that traverse the landscape of the crater. From the visitor’s center, you can hike down into the crater on the Sliding Sands trail. It’s 11 miles all the way across, but you come to the first overlook after ½ mile. Find more information on hiking in the national park here.

5.Drive the Road to Hana. Tales of the harrowing drive along narrow and windy roads along cliffs, through jungles, and past waterfalls have only built up the folklore surrounding Hawaii’s most popular drive, the Road to Hana. And taking part is practically a right of passage when visiting Maui. Set out early, stopping to grab a picnic lunch in Paia town and see all the sights along the way. Your journey past rainbow eucalyptus trees, bamboo forests, black and red sand beaches, 400 foot waterfalls, and Hana town itself will give you a taste of the real Hawaii. Old Hawaii. Of all the things to do in Maui, you really shouldn’t miss this one. Read this post about my favorite stops on the Road to Hana.

15 Things to Do on a Maui Honeymoon

While some Maui honeymooners choose to see and do it all like a normal vacation, for many, a honeymoon is a chance to slow down or indulge in the finer side of what the island has to offer. Here are some of the top romantic things to do on Maui as well as some pretty luxurious experiences:

1.Stay at the Four Seasons. Nothing sets the mood for a once in a lifetime vacation like a luxurious place to stay, and nobody does luxury like the Four Seasons. Spend afternoons lounging around the adults only infinity pool that overlooks the ocean being pampered with five star service. Read about my 5 favorite Maui honeymoon resorts here.

Photo from Thomas Hawk via Flickr.

2.Have dinner at Mama’s Fish House. Mama’s Fish House, the epitome of relaxed fine dining, is a don’t miss for all visitors to Maui, but especially those on their honeymoon. Located beachfront on the north shore, the setting, service, and food all contribute to an unbelievable experience at Hawaii’s most memorable restaurant. Read more about Mama’s here.

3.Get a couple’s massage. The classic honeymoon activity. The Grand Wailea has the most impressive spa facilities, but treatments at the Andaz, Fairmont Kea Lani, and Four Seasons are all phenomenal. On the west side, the Ritz Carlton and Montage are the lap of luxury.

4.Go beach hopping. Honeymoons are mostly about relaxing and there’s no better place to do that than at the beach. Read about my favorite Maui beaches here.

Photo from dronepicr via Flickr.

5.Take a tour through the upcountry. I think Maui’s most unexplored region is its most special. You might think you were in the hill country of Texas or the high meadows of Colorado if you couldn’t look out and see the ocean. Maui’s upcountry (mostly cowboy country and ranchland) is full of special drives, epic views, and local spots to explore. Read my full upcountry guide here.

Photo from John Morgan via Flickr.

6.Watch sunset at Haleakala. Watching a sunset anywhere is super romantic, but watching one atop a 10,000-foot dormant volcano is pretty special. Most people come for sunrise, but sunset has its own beauty and it’s less of a hassle than going up for sunrise (i.e. no 2AM wakeup call, 60 day in advance reservation, or sub arctic temperatures).

16 Best Breakfast Spots on Maui

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and with the time difference in Hawaii, I ALWAYS find myself ready for a big breakfast early in the morning. Here are some of my favorite breakfast spots on Maui, divided up by each part of the island. Also check out my post on my favorite local spots to eat on Maui as many of them serve food all day long and have great breakfast menus.

West Side

808 Grindz: If you want to chow down on some local Hawaiian favorites, you’ve got to come to 808 Grindz. Their menu features a selection of local favorites that are $8.08 all day long. It’s definitely the place to try a loco moco…in fact there’s a whole menu with variations of them.

Plantation House: Head to the Plantation course at Kapalua, for breakfast with a view. With an ocean view and set back into the quiet resort community, this is a spot for a special celebration or just a leisurely breakfast.

Gazebo: Located right on Napili Bay overlooking the beach, this is probably the most popular breakfast spot on the west side. It’s tiny and there’s always a line for a table (they don’t take reservations) but the food is delicious and it has a good ole mom and pop vibe. This place wins for best breakfast on the west side.

Leoda’s Pie Shoppe: Actually it’s located in Olowalu (next to a roadside fruit stand and across from one of Maui’s best snorkeling spots). This is a great little all around restaurant but they’re known for their pies. The chocolate mac-nut one is my go to. Also, they’re mini sized get several different kinds and make your own sampler.

South Side

Kihei Caffe: This is my favorite spot for breakfast on the beach. It’s a total dive but the food is GREAT and you can’t beat the location. Go early or be prepared to wait in line. The pancakes are amazing and you can get them with a variety of toppings. This place wins for best breakfast on the beach.

WowWow Lemonade: I cannot rave enough about this place! Locally made, fresh to order lemonade in a mason jar??? Yes please. But I think the real star here are the acai bowls. This is the best smoothie bowl I’ve had anywhere in Hawaii. They’re made fresh (not frozen!) so they’re very accommodating to both allergies and tastes.

11 Best Fine Dining Restaurants on Maui

If you’re anything like me, your vacations may occasionally (alright, often) revolve around food. There’s nothing wrong with planning your days around meals right? Right?? Anyways, if you’re going to be on Maui, you’ve got to squeeze in at least a couple of nice dinners. So here are my 11 favorite fine dining restaurants on Maui:

West Side (Lahaina/Ka’anapali/Kapalua)

Merriman’s: THE spot for fine dining in West Maui. Merriman’s overlooks Kapalua Bay and if you’re there around sunset, you’ll more than likely witness a wedding or two. The cuisine is farm to table Hawaii regional cuisine.

Lahaina Grill: Located on Front Street, Lahaina Grill is one of the best restaurants in Lahaina. It’s not on the water and its atmosphere is simple but elegant but what you’re really coming here for is the food. It’ll cost you a pretty penny but it just may be one of the best meals of your trip.

Pacifico: This seafood restaurant is about as beachfront as dining gets on Maui. It’s conveniently located in Lahaina just off Front Street, but it’s tucked away a bit so it feels miles away from the noise of all the bars and restaurants further down. This is a great spot of a nice sunset dinner and then a stroll through town.

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West Side

South Side

West Side (Lahaina/Ka’anapali/Kapalua)

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