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View of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast
ADOBE STOCK
HAWAII
Charter to the
Edge of the World
Set aside any fears, and dive into a Hawaiian adventure involving snorkeling, welcome wildlife encounters and the majestic beauty of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast.
By Mark Christmas
The alarm blared dutifully at 4:30 am, but it didn’t need to. My husband and I had been up for an hour already, our cozy Waimea Plantation cottage bursting with nervous energy as we packed our cameras, mineral sunscreen and change of clothes in the dark.
We’d chartered a day tour to Ni‘ihau and along the Na Pali Coast. The company breathlessly advertised it as “the biggest, baddest, longest, strongest, wettest and wildest” of all Kauai’s boat tours. Passengers were whisked across the temperamental Kalaukahi Channel to snorkel a volcanic crater off the “forbidden” island of Ni‘ihau before recrossing the channel to sightsee along the Na Pali Coast.
I was a little scared… and I liked that.
View of the Kauai’s Napali Coast from a catamaran
After checking in for the tour, we boarded our catamaran with the other passengers. Our captain briefed us on what to expect from the day ahead, then he aimed the catamaran toward the open ocean beyond Port Allen.
As the catamaran sliced across the Kalaukahi Channel, a pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins swam alongside us. It was so enchanting, so perfectly timed, that I half-wondered if the tour company paid the dolphins to do this. The captain steered closer to the volcanic crater of Lehua, whose cliffs rose in striking sedimentary layers from the churning sea.
The crew dropped anchor over a shallow reef and prepared the passengers to snorkel. Duck-walking in fins toward the rear of the boat, I took a deep breath and jumped in. Cold ocean water rushed over me in an eruption of bubbles. I adjusted my mask and got my bearings. The water was absurdly clear. Below me, a patchwork of sunlight danced across acres of coral dotted with sea urchins and starfish.
Hawaiian Monk Seal
I heard excited shouting from the surface. Fish scattered. Something large and powerful was swimming towards me. It was a Hawaiian monk seal, its hind flippers effortlessly propelling its massive body through the water. Although I was in its domain, I did not panic. The seal glanced at me briefly, then moved on, disappearing into the blue.
My heart racing, I dove deeper, gliding over the coral until the entire seafloor gave way to a plunging underwater cliff ledge. Beyond that, abyss. I realized I was on the edge of the world.
Taking a selfie while enjoying a Ni-hau and Na Pali Coast snorkel boat tour
MARK CHRISTMAS
When we finished snorkeling, everyone clambered aboard the catamaran for the crossing back to Kauai and the Na Pali Coast. The winds had picked up as the day wore on, and the Kalaukahi Channel was becoming characteristically rough. The captain advised us to take a seat and stay put. His final words before turning the catamaran back toward Kauai: “Hold on.”
On the horizon, the Na Pali Coast was rendered indistinct by atmospheric haze. But as the catamaran pitched and rolled closer, it transformed like a geologic magic trick. Green, cathedral-like spires shot skyward thousands of feet, as afternoon light and shadow wove across impossibly vertical cliff faces. Lightly golden beaches braced the rocky base of the coastline and streams of waterfalls snaked down the mountainside before disappearing into surf so blue it looked synthetically dyed. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.
Over the loudspeaker, the captain spoke of the profound significance the Na Pali Coast held for ancient Hawaiians. It seemed that every cliff, every beach, every waterfall echoed with stories of Hawaiian kings and queens and mythic cultural traditions lost to time.
Aerial view of the Na Pali Coast, Kauai
Early afternoon, the catamaran cut south toward Port Allen. The Na Pali Coast receded, its majestic cliffs giving way to flat, sandy beaches punctuated by ironwood trees and derelict sugar mills. Soon we would be docking, then my husband and I would be back at the Waimea Plantation cottage for a much-needed nap.
As I gazed at the passing ocean, I thought back to the months before the trip, when I first came across the Ni‘ihau and Na Pali Coast tour. I remembered that pang of fear when I decided to purchase tickets. If only I’d known what magic and adventure awaited at the edge of the world.
Should you ever find yourself like me, nervously trying to decide if you should book an excursion, go ahead. Choose the adventure. You’re more courageous than you think.
Want to explore Hawaii’s wilder side? AAA Travel Agents pair insider knowledge with carefully vetted tours and experiences—so you can focus less on logistics and more on the moment. Book with confidence knowing AAA’s expertise ensures quality, safety and value. All you have to do is show up ready for adventure.
Interested in making memories while on a Ni’hau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel Boat Tour? Learn more and purchase tickets at AAA.com/TripCanvas.
Resort Spotlight | Waimea Plantation Cottages
Aerial view of Waimea Plantation Cottages, Kauai
WAIMEA PLANTATION COTTAGES
Nestled along the historic black sands of Kauai, Waimea Plantation Cottages offers a serene Hawaiian getaway perfect for couples and families alike. This oceanfront retreat features restored plantation-period cottages with private lanais, blending nostalgic charm with modern comforts like fully equipped kitchens.
Guests can unwind by the oceanfront pool or stroll the peaceful two-mile beach. For dining, the on-site Chicken in a Barrel BBQ serves American favorites and boasts Kauai’s only self-serve beer wall. Even better, restaurant profits support local youth programs. For travelers seeking authentic Kauai accommodations away from the crowds, this boutique hotel delivers a truly memorable escape.
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