Do I need kayaking experience?

No. Plenty of our guests have never been in a kayak. What you do need is fitness — this is six or seven hours of paddling on open ocean, and no amount of technique substitutes for being in shape.

Can you kayak the Na Pali Coast in winter?

No. The state's season for this coast runs May 15 to September 7, and the reason is the North Pacific swell. From late September the surf on this shore gets consistent and very large — regularly 20 feet and more. It is not a permitting technicality; it is not survivable in a kayak.

Is there a weight limit?

The total weight limit of our double kayaks is 500 lbs. If your pair is at or near that combined weight, call us before you book.

What is the minimum age?

Fourteen, if the young person is genuinely suited to a strenuous all-day activity. Honestly, this trip is better for 18 and up. It is a very long day on the open ocean.

Kayakers paddling beneath the sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, Kauai

Na Pali Guides

Kayaking the Na Pali Coast: A Complete Guide

The Na Pali Coast can only be paddled in summer. The classic run is 17 miles one way, from Ha'ena on Kauai's North Shore to Polihale in the west — one committing day on open ocean with no road, no cell service and no way out once you have started. This is what it takes.

Last updated August 2026 · Na Pali Kayak, Hanalei

The short version

	Na Pali by kayak
Classic route	Ha'ena Beach Park to Polihale — about 17 miles, one way, west with the wind
Season	Summer only. The state permits paddling this coast May 15 through September 7
Time on the water	Roughly six to seven hours of paddling, plus a long beach lunch
Total day	12+ hours door to door, including the shuttle back
Difficulty	Hard. The most physically demanding commercial trip on Kauai
Experience needed	None, but real fitness is not optional

There is no road to the Na Pali Coast. Sixteen-odd miles of Kauai's northwest shore have no access at all except on foot, by air, or from the water — which is exactly why paddling it feels like something you earned rather than something you bought.

What the paddle is actually like

6:00 a.m. — Hanalei
Check in, meet your guides, get a weather and conditions briefing, pack dry bags. Then a short van shuttle to the launch.
7:30 a.m. — on the water at Ha'ena
Paddle school on the sand, then a launch through the shorebreak. Within twenty minutes the last house is behind you and the cliffs start.
The middle hours
About four and a half hours of steady paddling past sea caves, waterfalls falling straight into the ocean, and valleys you cannot reach any other way. Kalalau Beach is roughly three hours in. This is the stretch people remember, and the stretch that hurts.
Lunch at Miloli'i
A catered lunch on one of the most remote beaches in the Hawaiian Islands, and a long rest. Some people swim. Some people lie down and do not move.
The last leg to Polihale
About another hour and a half to Polihale, the western end of the coast and the end of the paddle. A van meets you there.
Around 7:00 p.m. — back in Hanalei
Sunburnt, salt-crusted, and quieter than you were at six in the morning.

Guided, or on your own?

You can legally paddle this coast privately. Most people should not, and the rules are stricter than they look.

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources sets the season for this coast: paddling it is permitted May 15 through September 7, and that is also the window in which kayaks may land — at exactly two places: Kalalau Beach, with a valid camping permit, and Miloli'i Beach, for camping with a permit or for day use. Landings are prohibited at every other beach in the park, Hanakapi'ai, Honopu and Nu'alolo Kai included. Camping along the coast without a valid permit can get your kayak confiscated — including a rental.

Commercial operators need a state permit to land passengers here at all. DLNR publishes the list, and there are three kayak companies on it: Kayak Kauai, Na Pali Kayak and Outfitters Kauai, for guided landings at Miloli'i, May through September. If a company is not on that list, ask why.

Go guided if it is your first time on this coast, you are not an experienced open-ocean paddler, or you want a support van waiting at Polihale instead of a logistics problem.
Go private if you have real open-ocean sea kayaking experience, your own boats, a shuttle plan for both ends, and permits in hand.

What you will see

Sea caves you can paddle into when the swell allows — the reason a kayak beats a big boat out here.
Waterfalls dropping off the cliffs directly into the ocean.
Kalalau Beach, the end of the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, seen from the water.
Miloli'i Beach, reachable only by ocean, where you will eat lunch.
Spinner dolphins (nai'a), often in numbers, often alongside the boats.
Green sea turtles (honu) and, if you are lucky, a Hawaiian monk seal hauled out on the sand.
Humpback whales early in the season, breaching offshore.

What it costs

Trip	Distance	What it is
Na Pali day trip — Ha'ena	17 miles	The full coast, North Shore start. The classic.
Na Pali day trip — Polihale	10 miles	Out-and-back from the west side. Shorter, and better for less experienced paddlers.
Na Pali Coast camping	Multi-day	Guided paddle in, you camp on your own permit.
Private tour	Your call	Whole boat, your group, your pace.

Lunch, kayaks, paddles, PFDs, dry bags and shuttles are included on the guided day trips. Current rates are on each trip's own page — we keep them in one place so they are never out of date here.

What to bring

Three liters of water in reusable bottles. Your guides carry chilled filtered water to refill them.
Reef-safe sunscreen — no spray — plus a long-sleeved shirt. Six hours of reflected tropical sun is not survivable on sunscreen alone.
A hat and sunglasses with a strap. Anything without a strap is a donation to the ocean.
A waterproof camera. Disposables work fine.
Sealed snacks — energy bars, anything that stays dry.
A change of clothes and a towel for the shuttle home.
Any medication you need. There are no services of any kind along this coast.

“We felt safe and cared for the entire time, even though it was a windy day — rain, sun, rainbows, wind — we had it all.”

Zinnia X. · Local Guide · 404 reviews · Google

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Ready when you are

Duration7 hours

Group Size2 to 12 people

Napali Day Trip – Hā'ena

Embark on the most popular Napali Day Trip from Hā'ena to Polihale, a 17-mile paddle that takes you along the breathtaking northwest coast of Kauai. This adventure offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes and vibrant marine life of the Na Pali Coast. Whether you're an experienced kayaker or a first-timer, this trip promises an unforgettable experience filled with natural beauty and excitement.

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Duration8 hours

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Napali Day Trip – Polihale

Experience the beauty of the Na Pali Coast with our exclusive Napali Day Trip to from Polihale to Milolii and back. This trip is designed for groups of 6 to 12, offering a personalized adventure along one of Hawaii's most stunning coastlines. Enjoy the tranquility of Polihale Beach and the thrill of kayaking through crystal-clear waters, all while being guided by our experienced team. This is considered the mini NaPali coast trip, better suited for less experienced kayaker.

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