Makana and his crew on the Amelia K were outstanding! Super attentive team and the captain is extremely skilled at maneuvering the boat in the caves and over the rough seas. Our family loved it and were grateful we got to experience the Napili coast together! read more

Makana Charters - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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While vacation planning for Kauai, one of the things I wanted to do was see the Na Pali Coast. I was scared to hike as I'm not physically fit for that and helicopter rides were a no for me. So I opted for a boat tour! I chose makana charters because of how detailed they were in their information as different tours tour the coast in different areas. With this tour, included lunch and snorkeling. What I didn't want was a fancy lunch because what I'm really there for is to see the Na Pali Coast and everything else was just an extra for me. The lunch was very simple which I like especially because it can get very nauseous. I wanted to do the snorkeling part, but I also wanted my husband to do it, but he's not a confident swimmer so I stayed with him and watched people snorkel which was totally fine. We did the early morning tour and it was beautiful! The weather was perfect! Our tour guides went around us as we were enjoying the way to the coast and asked us where we were from. They also showed us the forbidden island and told us some history of the island and how certain areas locals would camp but a permit would be needed. They also tried to get into caves as deep as they can go and also showed us where Mary J Blige recorded her music video for everything. We also saw some dolphins going and come back from the coast! The coast was just as magical and beautiful! read more

Honestly, if you've never seen the Napali Coast, then any boat tour would be considered phenomenal. Its a breathtaking view. This was my second excursion, over 15 years apart. Some positives about this tour includes: free parking by their main stop, an emcee that was quite hilarious, a boat captain that made the boat ride at 15 knots super fun, and some history lessons along with the tour. So what was wrong? The area where we were snorkeling was quite bland. We only saw a few fish and didnt see a turtle until after we all got on the boat. After only about 30 min of snorkeling around I was bored (they give you an hour). At the beginning of the tour we were told that if you feel sick at anytime, to let them know and they'll have some remedies. Well...when I came back on the boat after snorkeling, I started feeling woozy. It was mainly because the boat was anchored and started swaying. I did take Dramamine an hour before the trip so that helped a little. I told one of the crew members how I was feeling and her suggestion was, "I would stand in the back so noone will see you get sick. Also, I wouldn't go in the bathroom because the enclosed space will make you feel worse." Not the remedies I was expecting. haha. I did not take her advice. Instead I stayed standing in the front and looked at the horizon as everyone else was enjoying their sandwiches and chips. The captain, at least, gave me a little piece of mind by telling me he'll have us back on shore in 50 minutes. So I stood there, feeling like I was on a speed boat, jumping with every big wave, wind blowing my hair and salty water on my face. Surprisingly, I felt better after that ride back. But I felt a whole lot better being on land. read more

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Super-highly recommended. Our crew was A'a and Liliana, both terrifically competent and let everyone take turns sitting near the bow, where the view is best. We were also blessed with terrific weather and smooth morning water which makes a huge difference. Reportedly the water can become choppy in the afternoon. read more

What a wonderful experience! The crew members were awesome, they make you feel comfortable and welcome and tell you all about the island! They're very knowledgeable. We went through different sea caves, explored napali coast, and went snorkeling in a pretty great spot! They also offered to take pictures of each group in different spots. The food was simple but very filling: soda, bag of chips, and sandwich. The only thing is that when you arrive to the marina, there is a bit of waiting time outside and it gets hot. The bathrooms are also just a bit dirty. However I would still come back to do this tour as it is one of the lesser expensive boat tours and was still pretty amazing! read more

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We did the Amelia k tour. Check in was easy and the crew was so nice and knowledgeable. The views are quite spectacular and the boat was very sturdy (especially coming back, we were whipping through the waves). We also maneuvered into various caves effortlessly. We were lucky to catch a ton of dolphins swimming by and they were so close to the boat. The crew took pics of us and were great with getting us drinks and collecting trash. The lunch that came with the tour was a bit lackluster- it was a basic deli sandwich (nothing unique to Hawaii). I got the vegetarian sandwich, which was 2 slices of cheese with romaine, tomatoes, and sprouts. read more

Makana Charters - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

If you're on the fence about whether this tour is worth it -it absolutely is. We honestly had zero expectatons and booked a morning tour in January, and it turned out to be the best decision. The water was calm enough for snorkeling, and we got incredibly lucky - we saw hundreds of dolphins, whales, albatrosses, turtles, and so much more. And that's not even mentioning the unreal beauty of the Na Pali Coast. Huge shoutout to the captain, who made it feel like a full-on adventure - taking us through sea caves, near waterfalls, and still making sure everyone felt completely safe the entire time. A few tips if you're not very experienced with boats: - Definitely bring towels and warm clothes -- it can get very windy. - Sunscreen is a must. No explanation needed. - Take Dramamine about an hour before boarding if you're worried about motion sickness. Everyone in our group took it and felt great, unlike a couple of other tourists who were clearly struggling. The worst part is when the boat stops and rocks on the waves. Another awesome bonus was the unlimited drinks, plus really tasty sanwiches and snacks throughout the tour. Highly recommend - this ended up being the best experience we had in Hawaii! read more

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If you're even slightly on the fence about this experience -- don't be. Just book it. It was a Tuesday morning, 7:30 AM start, and I honestly expected a half-empty boat. Nope. Completely full. And that already told me a lot. From the moment we arrived, everything felt smooth, organized, and genuinely welcoming -- no stress, no chaos, just good energy. Once we were out on the water, it only got better. Crystal-clear ocean, unreal coastline views, and then the kind of moments you can't plan for. We swam with fish, saw dolphins, and even spotted whales. One of those "wait... is this actually happening right now?" situations. The crew deserves special credit. Professional, calm, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. They explained everything, made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable, and somehow managed to keep the vibe relaxed while still running a very tight operation. That balance isn't easy. Nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt forced. Just a perfectly paced, well-run tour that delivers exactly what it promises -- and more. This is one of those experiences you'll still be talking about long after the photos are posted. Huge thank you to the entire team for an unforgettable morning on the water. Absolutely worth it. read more

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My wife and I chose Makana Charters - Na Pali Kai III for our Nāpali Coast tour, and it was absolutely amazing. We'll never forget the experience. The crew was incredibly polite, friendly, and full of knowledge. They shared great information about Kauai--places to visit, things to check out, and tips that really helped us plan the rest of our trip. I definitely recommend doing this tour early in your stay. That way you'll have time to explore the spots they suggest, and if the ocean has big swells, you'll still have time to rebook. We felt completely safe on the Na Pali Kai III, and they provided sandwiches, sodas, juice, and water on board. To top it all off, we were lucky enough to see dolphins and humpback whales. Truly an unforgettable adventure. Highly recommend! read more

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Captain Dave and his "sidekick," the newly appointed captain, Lionel, were absolutely amazing. They took us to NaPali upon their pride and joy, the Leialoha. They were obviously professional and very very personable. We felt totally safe. Their safety instructions were thorough. Both gentlemen were very patient with our 17 year old autistic son and were full of information and history that all of us enjoyed hearing. This was definitely the highlight of our trip to Kauai and it would be a dream to go out with them again. read more

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The service was absolutely amazing, and the views were truly breathtaking! Tony and Lionel went above and beyond to make sure we had an incredible experience from start to finish. Captain Makana did an outstanding job navigating and getting us around safely, which made the entire experience even more enjoyable and relaxing. We couldn't have asked for a better experience and would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure. 10/10 -- absolutely worth it! read more

Makana Charters - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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The crew were great! My daughter talks about "Hawaii Jasmine" nonstop. Leeroy was cool also. The captain was amazing getting in the sea cave and maintaining the position so we could take photos. We all agree it was the highlight of the trip. read more

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Amazing time on the water , the crew was awesome , and the snorkeling was great. The guys kept everyone laughing and safe throughout . Couldn't recommend more read more

Makana Charters - Napali coast - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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We had the best time!! Even during "winter" but please keep in mind these guys cannot control the weather! It is not their fault if the ocean is rough that day. And yours need to cancel, turn back, or etc. And even on a nice day, it's the ocean and the water/wind is unpredictable. Even those not prone to seasickness need to come prepared! There is plenty of ways to prep in advance and ensure your not in the middle/back looking at the deck or a bag the whole time. We saw so many humpback whales! And even a mama and her baby! As well as Hawaiian spinner dolphins! And of course the Na Pali coast line! Even on the way back blasting thru the ocean I was able to spot humpbacks in the distance. So it's also what you make of it and my husband and I really had the best time. I also want to say this but all of us are just guests on Hawaii and yes we are paying for a tour but they are stewards to showing us some of the most important parts of Hawaiian history and landscape. That is a PRIVILEGE and I think too many of us forget that. I really would like to thank Shawn, Elijah, and Jay for closing out our trip with such a memorable experience. You guys are all stars! Mahalo!!! read more

The team that runs this tour are beyond amazing, truly wonderful and solid human beings. My husband booked this tour to celebrate our one year anniversary and I now hope we do something like this every year! We did the afternoon tour and amazingly enough we got to see spinner dolphins leap out near the boat! Truly a movie moment. The tour guides were knowledgeable and answered all questions. We learned a lot about the history of the coast and the island itself. The views on this tour are breathtaking and the snorkeling was a blast. I do appreciate all of the transparency they had with us that our safety was their number one priority and if the weather shifted and we couldn't snorkel, they would do their best to show us more wild life. Make sure to take some Dramamine as it is a smaller boat in the water so you will feel the rocking. I have already recommended this tour to all of our family and friends and hope they get to experience the magic of the Makana Tour! read more

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OK - these guys are crazy, but in the most awesome way! We took the family out on this tour of the Napali Coast in Kauai and I'm glad we did! They warned us up front that they were going to push us out of our comfort zones, and boy, did they!! We left the harbor and sailed along the coast - absolutely stunning! We saw amazing scenery and a ton of whales, dolphins and sea birds. Where they pushed us was by backing the boat into these coastal caves that were amazing - and daunting! The winter seas were huge and those guys are experts and thrilling you and keeping you safe. We had a great time and I'd 100% do this tour again! read more

I took the morning tour on the Amelia K, and it was the highlight of my trip to Hawaii. Captain Mike, Elijah, and Shelby were incredibly helpful and friendly. We not only saw the most amazing coastline, but also learned some fascinating history. It's a barefoot cruise, and they collected our shoes before boarding. Our trip took us 60 nautical miles up the coast, and along the way, we saw waterfalls, incredible mountains, lava tubes, and caves. We even went into two of the caves in the boat. We saw spinner dolphins. Lots of them. First, a small pod, and then a massive pod of over 100. The water was so clear that I could even take photos of the dolphins well below the surface. On the way back, we stopped at a beautiful reef only accessible by boat and did some snorkeling (they provided all the gear and assistance for first-timers like me). Beautiful. A turtle visited us, and I saw some fantastic fish, including the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish and a large male Parrotfish -- a gorgeous, blue, iridescent. Lunch was provided, and there were plenty of cold drinks (and two restrooms) on board. There are also shaded areas on the boat for those preferring less sunshine. The Amelia K is powerful, fast, and comfortable. Advance communication was thorough (to say the least), complete with exact parking location instructions and other details. Note: If you're doing this as an excursion while on the NCL Pride of America cruise, be sure to arrange a taxi or rental car well in advance -- it's a 30-40 minute drive from the dock, and last-minute transportation in Kauai is not always available. read more

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I'm soooo glad I surprised my boyfriend with this excursion for his birthday! It was such a lovely way to see the coast...the caves, and hear about the history of such a lovely beautiful breathtaking coast. Oh and so thrill to see so many whales! The crew made such a difference. The captain was hilarious... Ethan and Charley were perfectly charming, friendly and helpful. Highly recommend. read more

I would not recommend Makana Charters. From my experience, they're unprofessional and the kind of business/people who cannot take responsibility of their own wrongdoing. Which is quite scary for a boat tour company when wrongdoing could lead to injury or death. Read the negative reviews they have and save your time/money. The TLDR: they don't seem to have standard business practices of what to do if a tour is canceled or to even communicate updates that a tour is cancelled. Then they couldn't care enough to make things right with me by choosing to ignore me when they realized they were in the wrong. I made several attempts to contact them to get this resolved via phone with voicemails and email but they chose to ignore me. What happened: We booked the Na Pali Coast Tour on the Seiko I & Seiko II Catamaran that was ultimately cancelled on Sunday, December 14th, and then again on Monday, December 15th, after being rescheduled. On Saturday (12/13), we received a phone call informing us that our Sunday (12/14) tour was cancelled and that we were being rescheduled to Monday (12/15). During that call, the representative assured us that we would receive another phone call if Monday's tour was also cancelled. We subsequently received an email confirmation and reminder stating that our tour was scheduled for Monday, so we rearranged our entire schedule and other bookings for the remainder of our trip to accommodate this change. Unfortunately, even on Monday, we received no phone call and no email notifying us that the tour had been cancelled. Based on the confirmation we had received and no communication about any cancellations, we drove over 1.5 hours to the boat dock and paid for parking at 12:30 PM for a 1 PM check-in. Upon arrival, we saw other guests disembarking from other tours at the harbor so we didn't question paying and waiting. After waiting approximately 30 minutes with still no communication and no one in sight, we contacted their office and was only then informed that our tour had, in fact, been cancelled. The employee we spoke said that the other representative should not have been supposed to reschedule us in the first place, which added to the confusion and frustration. She hastily ended the conversation and hung up after that realization that someone messed up. That was the last time I have been able to get in contact with the company. This experience was extremely inconvenient and, frankly, negligent. Had we been properly notified of the cancellation, we would never have made the drive or paid for parking. I tried multiple times by phone and email to contact them again to get a reimbursement for the $21 parking fee. Which is the least they could do after the lost time, gas, and avoidable inconvenience that we incurred. We would not have incurred the parking expense if not for the lack of communication from their team. They did refund us the tour amount, which from other reviews it sounds like they might not always do. I understand that cancellations can happen due to conditions outside of their control, but timely and accurate communication is essential, especially when guests are rearranging travel plans and driving long distances. In this case, I think they lied about the weather causing the cancellation due to the fact that we SAW other tours running and I read reviews of people who were able to rebook on to other companies' boat tours. If they can't even do the bare minimum of communication and accountability, it would make me question what other bare minimums they aren't doing and the kind of business practices they maintain. I hope no one gets into an accident or anything where physical injury is done because it's clear by their actions in this smaller wrongdoing that they don't even care enough to do the right thing to take accountability. read more

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Captain Sean and Ethan were great! They were knowledgeable, fun and made sure to point out so many cool things. They did everything they could to get us close to dolphins, waterfalls and caves and you can tell they genuinely care for the area. The weather was absolutely perfect after the hurricane came through and the entire day was amazing! read more

Makana Charters - Napali Coast - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Our family had an absolutely incredible experience with Makana Charters on the Na Pali Coast! Captain Mike, along with Jazzy and Tony, made this one of the highlights of our trip to Kauai. Not only were they kind, funny, and welcoming, but they were also incredibly knowledgeable about the island. We loved hearing the history of the Na Pali Coast and learning so much about Kauai throughout the tour. What truly set this experience apart was how amazing they were with the children in our group. They went above and beyond to make sure our littles had a fantastic time, even helping watch them while the adults snorkeled. They made sure the kids had front-row views of dolphins, fish, and all the incredible sights along the coast, which created memories our family will never forget. The entire crew made us feel safe, cared for, and genuinely valued as guests. If you're looking for a Na Pali Coast tour that combines breathtaking scenery, outstanding service, and a crew that treats you like family, we highly recommend Makana Charters. Mahalo to Captain Mike, Jazzy, and Tony for an unforgettable day! read more

Makana Charters - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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Our family of five toured the Napali Coast on board the Amelia K. She is a great boat! Our captain and crew were fantastic. I recommend this company and this boat to anyone looking to do a cruise of the Napali Coast. read more

Makana Charters - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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We had a fabulous time. Follow the advice of a previous review, book early in your trip because Mother Nature will determine if you can go out. Highly recommend you reschedule if your trip gets canceled, Makana is worth the wait. The commentator's sharing of history; supporting a local business; seeing dolphins, whales, and sea caves; and the actual boat ride are amazing. If you are adventurous, sit in front. It has the best photographic views, but you will feel the motion of the waves the most and may get wet! read more

I wasn't sure I wanted to spend this much money on a boat tour and when I found out winter months didn't include snorkeling I considered cancelling. I'm so glad I kept the reservation. What a wonderful experience. We saw things from the boat that couldn't be experienced any other way. The views were magnificent and although the audio from the captain was poor, the audio from the front person was great. I was surprised how stable the catamaran was in those big swells. We saw whales, flying fish and watched the interaction between sea birds and their symbiotic relationships. Very interesting. The scenery was awe inspiring read more

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Such an amazing experience! The whole team was so kind, fun, and truly made the trip unforgettable. I loved how much history they shared along the way -- it made the tour feel extra special. We had a great lunch, plenty of time to snorkel, a smooth and scenic boat ride, and even the chance to jump off the top of the boat for a swim. It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Yes, I would absolutely recommend this tour! read more

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We loved Makana Charters! We took a tour of the Na Pali coast on the Amelia and their captain and crew were amazing. I couldn't believe how close we got to the cave especially with the waves. The captain Makana was an excellent driver. Both the crew members Charlie and Elijah (I think) were also helpful, kind, and really took the time to care for the passengers. We saw a whale, turtle, and tons of dolphins, but the real highlight was the Na Pali coast! Incredible and breath taking! Would recommend this crew again as it provided for a pretty smooth ride in December to the Na Pali read more

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This tour was hands down my all time favorite experience in Hawaii. it's totally worth the hype, and this is the right company to book a Na Pali Coast tour with!! They're a locally owned group & are very passionate about their Hawaiian culture and history. Our captain, A'a, shared facts about the island and coast, and also shared some wonderful personal stories that really painted the picture of how much he loves his homeland! We loved his spirit and energy, and his associate on deck, Kanaa***, also added to the fun times on the tour. It took about an hour to get to the start of the coast, with some stops along the way for stories and fun facts of what we were seeing. I don't want to give too much away, but I had the BEST marine life experience on this tour (no spoilers!!). Get ready to get up close and personal with the Ocean/ Mother Nature and all her glory, from the splash of the waves, to cool marine life sightings. The coast was absolutely breathtaking, and the crew is happy to help take pictures for you. On the way back we got to snorkel- be sure to keep an eye out for sea turtles while you're down there! The water was warm and calm, so perfect for snorkeling. NOTE: it definitely is a bumpy ride, especially near the coast, so FOLLOW THE SEA SICKNESS ADVICE THEY GIVE!! once you book, you'll get detailed tips on how to prep for the possible sea sickness. I normally have no issues with sea sickness, but I still followed their tips just in case, and i'm glad I did. if you get sick on board, the crew is well equipped and ready to support. just keep in mind once you're out there, you're stuck out there until the end, so be prepared!! read more

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We were the first ones there. Checking in was a bit confusing as the regular person for checking wasn't there. I believe they didn't check us in completely as when we were already seated on the boat, someone called us from Makana to see if we were coming. Let me be clear, water and I don't mix so well. I am a nervous nellie and I sink like a stone. I'd prolly drown if I I tripped and fell into a puddle of water. Even though I can't swim, I made sure my son did with lessons since he was 2. He is 14 now but I still got mom jitters. The captian (Shaun) and his crew (Rhi and Makena), did everything to make me feel at ease explaining how everything was going to go and should we require life vests, where they were and how to put them on. Should something goes wrong, they have a distress signal that goes directly to the coast guard so they know where to find us. They made me feel safe and comfortable. Should anyone feel sick, they have seasick bags, just let them know and they will grab some for you. They also had seasick patches as well. That was all during the first 5 minutes before we launched. I immediately felt so much better after that. I didn't see the captain once as he was up top steering the Amelia K. but we can certainly hear him the whole time through the PA as he pointed out species of dolphins and whales, top snorkeling areas and facts about what we are seeing. He is just so knowledgeable. He stopped at certain areas so we can capture on our phones dolphins and whales and gave us a tip to do more filming and screen shot our footage instead as they would be too fast to catch regular. Brilliant tip I might add. No one in my party got sick but there was quite a few that had sea sick bags and 1 guy on the floor hurling from the moment we launch. I noticed Rhi was always checking on him, poor guy. We got closer to the caves with rougher seas the closer we got which was totally exciting. Rhi new the perfect spots for families to stand and have a picturesque moment. She was wonderful. Makena took some kids to sit further up front which did make me nervous but that's just me. Hesitantly, I let my son up there and yay, he didn't fall overboard which is a plus. Woot. Woot. I love that sandwiches, chips, and drinks were included. We thought we would just have crappy dinky little sandwiches but nope, I was wrong, they were actually really good. Towards going back to the dock, we had a roller coaster ride at sea that my son just loved. Water splashed up on him several times and me too. I think the sea water irritated my eyes so might need to get some Visine. It didn't matter it was still fun with the captain at the helm and did I mention, he was funny too. I tip my hat to everyone.....it was just nice family outing and definitely my favorite part of visiting the island of Kauai. Thank you for a great time. I was gonna put 4 due to shaky check-in but everything else we experienced trumps it reading it back. 5 stars all the way. read more

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Still loved our tour; however, when we got home we were charged twice! instead of $400 we were charged $800. Tried to reach out to the company but no response. Finally my credit card reversed it. Accidents happen but to not respond to my request to look into the double charge is unacceptable. read more

Unforgettable Experience!! My tour of the Nā Pali Coast with Makana Charter was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Captain Tim and Kana were warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing the beauty and history of Kaua'i. The boat was comfortable, smooth, and a thrilling ride at times. We got breathtaking views of the cliffs, sea caves, waterfalls, and crystal-clear waters! The whole experience felt both adventurous and relaxing, and the personal attention from the crew made it even more special. If you're visiting Kaua'i, this tour is an absolute must. Makana Charter exceeded all expectations -- truly a five-star adventure I'll remember forever! read more

Makana Charters - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

The best tour we've had in Kauai over the years! We did the Na Pali coast tour on the Amelia K and the crew was amazing, attentive & interactive with every guest. The booking & subsequent communication was easy and clear. The boat was pristine, I'm talking the cleanest bathroom I've ever seen on a tour boat and everything from seat pads to floor were in tip top shape. The sammies were pretty tasty, I loved the sprouts addition (why do basic sandwiches taste so much better after being in the ocean?!). You can tell this company operates with ha'aheo & aloha. Support this native Hawaiian owned business, you won't be disappointed. read more

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We had the best time on the Amelia K Na Pali Coast tour. Everything from the spinner dolphins to the secret caves to the waterfalls to the snorkling with sea turtles was fantastic. Captain Makana, Jasmine and Nikki were amazing staff as well and we loved their stories. We highly recommend this trip! read more

So happy we booked with Makana! The tour was amazing. The staff was great! They walked around to chat and check in with everyone throughout the tour. The sandwiches were pretty amazing. Tasted like they were just freshly made. The bathroom was a plus! Especially with little ones. read more

Makana Charters - Boating Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

These guys were the best!! Went with a family of 5, and had a blast. Definitely created "core memories" for the kids and even when I got a little seasick (cause I forgot to take my meds) they took care of me, taught me a few new tricks to deal with it. And the snorkeling was so much fun. Saw a turtle in the wild. Also got to see Dolphins. The coastline is absolutely A+ and would do this again in heartbeat. Thanks to Captain Mike, Lionel, Charlie and Teana (sp)!! read more

Amazing experience with Makana Boat Charters! A must-do activity when in Kauai! I booked the Seiko 2 morning Nā Pali tour which was captained by Rhi and First mate Jay. From the moment you're greeted, you immediately feel the warm connection and positive energy from Rhi and Jay. They run you through all of the safety measures in a fun and engaging way, which they do throughout the trip. They care about you having a great experience and their positive energy is infectious. And of course the sights do not disappoint! The pods of dolphins, hanging out with turtles while snorkeling (but not riding them!), the cave visits and of course the stunning coastline. The history they share is fascinating and makes one feel more connected to the history and to nature and the beauty of the island. I would give 10 plus stars if I could. Booking was easy, and they offer a gluten free option for lunch. I liked it so much that next time I'll also try one of the larger boats to see what that experience is like as well! read more

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Capt. Mike and crew were absolutely amazing!! The father/son crew were very friendly and outgoing. Incredible service from start to finish. We booked this trip during our Hawaii cruise and super glad we did. The boat handled the waters beautifully, with minimal water coming over the bow, and the seas were very choppy the day we went out. Saw a bunch of amazing sites, caves, beaches, and waterfalls! Highly, highly recommend this charter. read more

This Na Pali Coast tour was just amazing! Makana Charters is native Hawaiian owned so it was awesome to support a local business!! We had the pleasure of having Shawn and Ky as our captain and crew member on Seiko II. The best uncle/nephew duo out there. They were both so funny, kind, and made this experience unforgettable! They made sure everyone felt super safe and comfortable throughout the whole tour! We loved how they shared history about the island with us as well!! We saw so many dolphins, got close to the caves, and got to swim out in the beautiful clear waters! Booking and communication before the trip was easy and stress free. Check-in was quick as well! All in all would recommend this tour company to anybody and I will definitely be coming back!! We love you guys! read more

AVOID THIS TOUR. As other reviews have mentioned - Makana Charters cancelled on us the day right before our tour with no apology, and we had booked with them weeks in advance. They claimed the cancellation was due to the weather, but I called two other Na Pali cruise companies that same day, and they both said that there were no weather concerns and that their cruises were on schedule. Luckily, we were able to book with another tour instead for that same date. The weather was perfect so I don't know what Makana was referring to (although the ride was choppy as already expected). Perhaps Makana didn't fill their booking capacity and opted to cancel, but I might be wrong. The other tour company we went with wasn't fully booked, but they still set sail, and the experience ended up being the highlight of our trip (this other tour included snorkeling which was an unexpected blast!). There are several other locally owned Na Pali cruises available. Save yourself the hassle of being cancelled on by this company and book with another instead. Chances are, you'll be able to find a "Plan B" on short notice if you get cancelled on, but nip this potential inconvenience in the bud and focus on enjoying your vacation instead. read more

From the beginning, Unko A'a and his niece Kai were wonderful, insightful, and welcoming hosts. I don't believe that the tour would have been as good if it wasn't for Unko's insight into the history and importance of the several landmarks to the Hawaiian people during the tour of the Napali coast. I really felt the aloha spirit during the tour and would highly recommend this company and if you're lucky enough to get Unko as your guide, I'm certain that you'll feel the way that I do. read more

We had a memorable tour to see the awesome Na Pali coastline. On the way we had up close experiences with both bottlenose and spinner dolphins. Snorkeling was available and a light lunch provided. The captain and crew were welcoming, informative and super-friendly. read more