Na Pali Coast Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Na Pali Coast. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Kauai Deluxe Sightseeing Flight

• Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour

• Kauai Airplane Tour: Na Pali Coast, Waterfalls & Window Seats

• Kauai: Hughes 500 4-Passenger Doors-Off Helicopters

• Na Pali Coast Half-Day Raft and Snorkel Adventure

The cost of seeing the Na Pali Coast depends on how you plan to visit. Those who walk along the Kalalau Trail need to buy entry to Hā‘ena State Park, which starts from US$5 per person, with added options including parking or a return shuttle. To see the coast from the air, helicopter and air tours start around US$160; from the sea, boat tours cost upwards of US$215.

Yes, it's well worth visiting the Na Pali Coast while on Kauai Island, as it offers beautiful, remote scenery that showcases Hawaii's landscape. Beaches and waterfalls are hidden within the coast's steep, rippling terrain, and since the only ways to visit are by hiking, boat trips, or flyovers, experiencing the coast can feel like a real adventure.

Per one customer who booked the Kauai Deluxe Sightseeing Flight, "We absolutely loved this excursion! Our pilot, Koa, was excellent—professional, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the island, which made the experience even more meaningful. The views were absolutely fabulous and took our breath away. A special touch we really appreciated was that the windows were cleaned inside and out, making our photos crystal clear and amazing. This was truly an unforgettable experience and one we would highly recommend."

No, you cannot drive to the Na Pali Coast. There are no roads to the Na Pali Coast, but you can get good views of the coastline by driving to Polihale Beach or Kee Beach or by driving past Waimea Canyon in Kokee State Park and stopping at the Kalalau Lookout or the Pu'u o Kila overlook.

Yes, permits are required to hike along the Kalalau Trail beyond Hanakapiai Valley. To hike from Haena State Park to Hanakapiai Beach or Hanakapiai Falls, visitors need parking and entry tickets for Haena State Park. Visit the Hawaii DLNR reservation system online for Napali Coast State Wilderness Park. For Haena State Park, visit the park's website.

The Na Pali Coast is a spectacular work of sculpture, forged by the natural elements. The valleys were carved out of the side of Kauai five million years ago by massive amounts of water. Streams cut down, while ocean waves reached up, and sea caves, cliffs, and waterfalls were formed by waves cutting through the rock.

The challenging Kalalau Trail, which stretches 11 miles (18 kilometers) along the Na Pali Coast from Kee Beach to the Kalalau Valley, typically takes two days. Most visitors, however, are day hikers who just follow the popular 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) trail from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Beach.

Tour options for seeing the Na Pali Coast include boat tours and sightseeing helicopter or airplane tours. Each option offers its own unique perspective. Many boat tours by catamaran or yacht include snorkeling experiences, while tours by smaller boats, such as Zodiacs, allow visitors to access sea caves and hidden beaches.

The length of your Na Pali Coast boat tour will depend on which tour you choose and whether the tour includes additional activities such as snorkeling or beach landing. A typical catamaran tour of the Na Pali Coast takes around five hours, and many include a meal.

Typically, Na Pali Coast ticketed excursions depart from Hanalei Bay, which is on Kauai's north shore and is the closest departure point to the Na Pali coastline. Some boat tours depart from Port Allen on the island's southwest side.

The summer months (from June through August) are the best months to visit the Na Pali Coast. This is when the ocean is typically calm, and the skies are clearest, offering excellent views from sightseeing flights. While it is possible to visit in the winter, air and boat tours are more likely to be canceled due to adverse conditions.

Yes, you can see the Na Pali Coast in a helicopter. Taking a helicopter tour is rated by many as the best way to see the coast, as it allows you to see the rugged interior (which you don't see on a boat tour) without the effort of embarking on a challenging hike.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Na Pali Coast. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Kauai:

• Mt. Waialeale

• Waimea Canyon

• Hanalei Bay

• Lihue

• Wailua River

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Kauai.