Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Captain's Blog

Where is the Na Pali Coast and How To See It?

a tree with water and a mountain in the background

Hawaii is home to some of the most iconic landmarks and historical sites in the Pacific ocean. On the island of Kauai, you’ll find a beautiful set of jagged, towering cliffs that seem to slice through the ocean and reach the clouds. This is the Na Pali Coast.

These cliffs stretch up to 4,000 feet into the sky and 15 miles across the north shore of Kauai. The rocky cliffs are covered in thick, lush vegetation and trees, and have deep sloping valleys. Across the coast and valleys, waterfalls race toward the ocean and can be up to 1,000 feet tall. Near the water, sea caves that were once lava tubes provide another interesting way to see the gorgeous Na Pali Coast.

The Na Pali Coast is a can’t-miss destination in Hawaii. Here’s how to visit the Na Pali Coast and make some lifelong memories:

Visit The Island of Kauai

To visit the Na Pali Coast, you must first visit the island of Kauai. The island of Kauai, also known as The Garden Isle for its rich, verdant forests, is the oldest and northernmost of the Hawaiian islands.

You’ll likely have to fly into the Lihue Airport in Lihue on the southeast side of the island. This is the main airport for consumer travel to Kauai.

Once you’re on Kauai, you’ll have to make your way over to the Na Pali Coast. On one side of the Na Pali Coast is Ke’e Beach. On the other side, you’ll find Haena State Park. Both sides provide great views of the Na Pali Coast, but there are many ways to visit and see the Na Pali Coast up close.

How to See the Na Pali Coast

You can’t drive along the Na Pali Coast. There’s no road on the Na Pali Coast where you can drive along the deep valleys and view the coast from your vehicle. However, there are many fun ways to see the Na Pali Coast:

Visit Na Pali By Ocean

Since the Na Pali Coast is on the water, one of the best ways to visit and see the Na Pali Coast in its full glory is by getting in the water. For thousands of years, catamarans, rafts, and kayaks were the main ways the original indigenous Hawaiians traveled the Na Pali Coast.

Catamaran Cruises

Catamaran cruises are probably the best way to check out the Na Pali Coast. These cruises are a family-friendly, safe way to get close to the Na Pali Coast. Many of these cruises offer special sunset voyages, whale watching excursions, and snorkeling cruises.

These cruises are also hosted by locals who were born and raised on Kauai. They know the rich history of this area and give a fun, interesting commentary to make your visit to the Na Pali Coast even more magical.

Rafts and Kayaks

Another great way to get on the water and up close to the Na Pali Coast is by raft or kayak. In fact, many of the original Hawaiian communities on the Na Pali Coast would travel between communities by raft and kayak.

Many rafting and kayak trips will bring you to the base of the Na Pali cliffs. Here, you can look up and see 4,000-foot cliffs towering over your head. Plus, they can even bring you into the sea caves on the Na Pali Coast. The Na Pali Coast is home to several sea caves including the Queen’s Bath Cave and the Waiahuakua Sea Cave, which is one of the longest sea caves in the world.

See Na Pali From the Sky

Several helicopter tours will give you a close look at the Na Pali Coast as well as a bird’s eye view. You can choose from affordable and luxury-level helicopter tours to match your vacation’s itinerary and budget.

By Land

The Na Pali Coast is one of those places that’s difficult to traverse and visit by land, but many avid hikers and explorers swear by it.

Hiking the Na Pali Coast

Even though you can’t drive along the Na Pali Coast, you can hike along the coast via the Kalalau Trail. The Kalalau Trail has been ranked as one of the most difficult trails in Hawaii and the United States. This trail takes you through Na Pali’s verdant forests and valleys, through nature reserves, to towering waterfalls, and across streams and rivers.

Visit the Na Pali Coast with Kauai Sea Tours

The best way to see the Na Pali Coast is through a guided Na Pali coast boat tour! Kauai Sea Tours has been providing award-winning tours since 1991, with a history of ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. With a team that’s passionate about creating incredible adventures in paradise, we’re excited to explore the Napali Coast with you. Give us a call at 1-808-355-5309 to schedule your tour today!

  • Posted in: