9 Snorkeling Trips in Kauai, Ranked by What You Get

1.Na Pali Coast Half-Day Raft and Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,609 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $217Our pick

Ride a 14-person inflatable raft along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast with a licensed captain and water-safety crew. Expect sea caves, waterfalls, dolphins, turtles, reef fish, and 30 to 45 minutes of snorkeling at Nu‘alolo Kai, conditions permitting. Breakfast or lunch, drinks, gear, and instruction are included.

“SUPER fun and adventurous. We were with Captain Duff and Erin, they were super cool and educational. If you are ready for a bumpy but exciting ride that is SO worth it, the raft adventure is HIGHLY recommend. I’ve been coming to Kauai for many years and I do this exact tour every visit!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,530 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $235

Spend 4.5 hours aboard a 37-foot Naiad Super Raft with Captain J’s Kauai Offshore Adventures. Cruise past Waimea and Kekaha, enter sea caves, view Kalalau’s towering cliffs, and stop to snorkel when conditions permit. Captains such as Andrew, CJ, Landon, and Nohili are praised for lively commentary and confident boat handling. Expect big views, bouncing water, snacks, and no hotel transfer.

“What a lot of fun this was. The crew was great. Tunes onboard the raft were good. The views of the coastline were beautiful from our raft. Only thing I would warn is, if you don't know how to snorkle, this probably isn't the venture for you, there was no instruction on 'how to'.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Deluxe Na Pali Morning Snorkel Tour on the Lucky Lady

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,485 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $233

Start at 6:45 am in Eleele for a half-day catamaran cruise along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Captain Kauai or Captain Evan may share island history while you watch for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds. Snorkel with provided gear, ride the waterslide, then enjoy sandwiches, pasta salad, snacks, and drinks on the return trip.

“Outstanding Trip! The crew very friendly and nulgible! The only thing I had a problem with was only 1- 30minute snorkel opportunity in 5 hours! I signed up thinking it was a snorkel trip. Not Enough!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Kauai’s Ultimate Guided Shore Snorkel in South Poipu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 875 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119Best value

Meet your certified guide at Poipu Beach for a two hour shore snorkel limited to eight people. After a safety lesson, you enter from the beach and spend up to an hour over calm reefs, spotting tropical fish, sea urchins, and possibly green sea turtles or monk seals. Gear, flotation, snacks, and water are included.

“Excellent snorkel experience with David! We saw many beautiful fish and lots of sea turtles! Great even for beginners, and our 10 and 8 year old kids loved it”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 736 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $237

This four-hour Na Pali Riders trip takes you from Waimea along Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast in a roughly 30-foot Zodiac. Captains such as Brandon and Mac share island history while guiding you past cliffs, waterfalls, and sea caves. Expect a wet, bumpy ride, seasonal whales, dolphins, fruit and drinks, with snorkeling only when the ocean is safe.

“My wife and I are both in our late 50s and neither of us had any concerns before, after or during the tour. We chose the 7 am tour. Be mindful to be at the office by 615 am. It was a nice adventure and extremely scenic. You'll get much closer to the cliffs and waterfalls than you would in a helicopter. Throughout the four hour tour we saw at least 50 Dolphins (probably closer to 100) cruising next to our boat less than 10 yards away and a dozen whales further in the distance. The Captain and Cassie (crew member) made us feel comfortable and showed us a great…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 567 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

Spend five hours kayaking from a private Hanalei River dock into Hanalei Bay, then snorkel for about 45 minutes with guides such as Gabe and Kolo. Expect calm-water paddling, Hawaiian history, reef ecology, sea turtles, fish, lunch on the beach, and provided gear. The tour suits children age five and up who can paddle and manage a kayak independently.

“This was an excellent experience. I’ve never kayaked or snorkeled. I was actually a little nervous about snorkeling and our tour guide made me feel comfortable and confident. It was really worth every penny. Scenery was beautiful. Saw lots of fish when snorkeling, including a huge sea turtle!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Snorkel and Sail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 541 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $292

Spend about six hours aboard the 50-foot Leila catamaran, sailing from Port Allen along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. The crew may include captains such as Kelly, Jess, or Mike, with snorkeling instruction, breakfast, lunch, drinks, and stories about island history. Expect wildlife, rough water at times, and no shore landings.

“Captain Kelly and the Crew were great. The boat was way too full. It needed about 8 fewer people to be worth it. There also was not enough snorkel time and not enough time to snorkel when the sun was hitting the coral.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Ni’ihau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 428 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $361

Join Holo Holo Charters at 6 a.m. for an eight-hour catamaran trip from Eleele. Captain Nate, Christian, Jess, or another experienced captain may guide the day, with breakfast, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, island stories, and time near Ni’ihau, Lehua Crater, and the Na Pali Coast. Routes change with ocean conditions.

“The snorkeling was absolutely AMAZING!! We had a smooth day on the water, so no issues with seasickness. The breakfast and lunch was surprisingly good. My husband and I both said this was the highlight of our trip, and we booked a LOT of adventures on this site”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Kauai’s Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 394 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $161

Ride a 25-foot Zodiac along Kauai’s south shore, stop at two calm snorkeling sites, and look for turtles, dolphins, octopus, and reef fish. Guides such as Drew, Ona, Brett, and Anna have helped make the trip safe, lively, and informative. Equipment, snacks, drinks, and instruction are included.

“Guides are very helpful, knowledgeable and safety conscious. Snorkeling was amazing ! Great weather today!”

Check availability →Read our full review