Best Kauai shore excursions

Best Kauai
shore excursions

Cruise tips you can trust

Best 2
Kauai shore excursions

Na Pali Coast

High, rugged, verdant seacliffs rise majestically out of the sea. They are wild and isolated. There are three basic ways to view the cliffs.

By boat

Cruisers are lucky. You don't have to buy tickets on a Na Pali Coast sightseeing boat. Your cruise ship sails close to this natural wonder.

By air

To fully appreciate the cliffs, you have to take a sightseeing airplane or (preferably) helicopter. As a bonus, you also see Waimea Canyon from a bird's eye view.

On foot

You hike up the Waimea Canyon trails to the summit, then walk down the steep, narrow, and (to many) scary Kalalau Trail to one of the Na Pali Coast beaches. Since you'll need to backpack overnight, you must do this hike as a pre- or post-cruise adventure.

Waimea Canyon

It's nicknamed "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" for good reason.

Huge

It measures about 1100 meters (3,600 feet) deep and 16 kilometers (10 miles) long.

Scenic lookouts

They are strategically located along the canyon's winding, scenic road. The star is end-of-the-road Pu'u Kila lookout. You look down on the stunning Na Pali Coast.

Attire

Dress in layers. It can be chilly at the higher lookouts.

Weather

Pray for a sunny day. Rain and low-hanging clouds dull the colors and, sometimes, veil the view.