Reviewed by: Vicki
This was the best trip next to our helicopter ride that we took! The crew were wonderful and a lot of fun. We had great weather and a small group which allowed us more time to go further up the coast and see more of the sea caves. Up close and personal with two pods of dolphins and 2 large groups of sea turtles, so close to the boat you could reach out and touch them. The small raft was a perfect way to see this part of Kauai's coast. So much more fun than the big sailing boats. Getting in and out of the raft at the beach landing was a little tough but the crew were right there to assist you.
This was a once in a lifetime trip and well worth the time and money. Had a blast and would do it again when I come back.
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Packages: | Explorer I with Beach Landing (from Hanalei Bay) |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2014/05/12 |
Activity Date: | 2014/05/09 |
Reviewed by: Christian
This tour started at 9 am with a very friendly introduction of the island of kauai as well as how the coast was formed with a local flare. We set out with Captain Dennis shortly after 9:30, he and his crew did a very good job at making sure all of the guest were comfortable and relaxed. We were able to sit on both sides of the boat which made it really fun because of the splashes from the water. We cruised for about 20 minutes before we encountered spinner dolphins, whales, and we also saw a lonely sea turtle floating passed our boat. Throughout the whole trip the deckhands were telling stories, legends and filling us in all the movies that were filmed on the Na Pali coast. We were able to venture passed many waterfalls and sea caves one of which Captain Dennis backed the boat right into the cave so we all could take pictures of the inside. It seemed dangerous but the Captain was fully in control the whole time. On the way back the surf was huge so we snorkeled in a calm area in front of the coast which was crystal clear and we could see all the way to the bottom about 40 feet. One of the deckhands actually went all the way down and pulled up some sand for me bottom. Lunch was good but not great. Bento's were a bit cold from sitting in the cooler but they were still tasty, it needed shoyu and some kind of hot sauce. They ride back was comfortable the whole way with more stories being told about the living in kauai and how the alii influenced the lifestyle. The local long haired deckhand was awesome we even met a pro surfer at the coast. Definitely recommend seeing the Na Pali coast in the water instead of paying three times the amount for 1/4 of the time. Perfect way to spend the morning and afternoon.
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Packages: | Morning Adventure (4.5 Hours) on Explorer II (48ft Raft) |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2014/05/06 |
Activity Date: | 2014/05/05 |
Reviewed by: ZNmez
We went on the 5 hour Napali coast snorkel adventure. Within the first 30 minutes we saw 10 whales and 50 dolphins! It was amazing. Giant turtles as well. We had about 30 minutes of snorkel time and a nice little brunch. While snorkeling there was an opportunity to get pretty close to a giant sea turtle and views of about 20 ft deep clear ocean to beautiful corral reef and tropical colorful fish. That's where the fun stopped for me. The further up the napali coast the more brutal the waters became. The waves were bigger than the boat! I have to admit this was nothing like what I expected . I was scared despite knowing that the staff and captain were experienced and careful, the waves and wind were just nothing like I have ever experienced. I've been on the ocean to Catalina island and didn't get sea sick, but this trip was another story. I puked and cried and puked some more! Two hours or more or puking and I missed the best part of the whale show for us. It was hard to enjoy the amazing views of the napali coastline because I was so sick but it truly was amazing!!! Don't do this tour in the winter and I think it would be breathtaking. The crew was amazing an took great care of all of us who got sea sick. They gave us water and new tissues. One of the guides even gave me his rain jacket to wear as long as I didn't puke on it! No gaurantees there, but the crew were lifesavers! Amazing amazing crew! One of the stores near by said that holo holo was the best and I believe them. They really took care of me and made me feel safe and well taken care of despite the circumstances. They even had ginger candy and saltines on board to help out. Crew also offered handy tips for other amazing views on the island
Mahalo for choosing Holo Holo Charters and also for your review. We are sorry to hear you that you got sea sick. We do have an amazing crew and it is always good to hear they are taking care of our guests. If you have the opportunity to come back to Kauai we would be more than happy to have you on board with us again. We hope the rest of your vacation was as memorable as our tour, except for the sea sick part. Mahalo Nui Loa and Aloha, until we meet again.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/03/08 |
Reviewed by: Lindsey
A fantastic day, the weather was spectacular and the crew was excellent. As we reached the Na Pali coast, we ran into a pod of dolphins and the boat stopped so everyone could enjoy them and take pictures before we headed up the famed coastline.
The weather was absolutely perfect, we were insanely lucky, and we were able to go into a sea cave and turn around! With enough time for about 45 minutes to snorkel and enjoy the water and a delicious lunch before we headed back to the harbor. After doing several activities in Kauai, I would most definitely recommend a visit to the Na Pali coast, it truly is as magical and awe-inspiring as everyone always says!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/05/14 |
Reviewed by: Evan
This was a fantastic tour! While we did not get to go hike and see an ancient Hawaiian village, it was still a very enjoyable tour. The staff knows their stuff and their tidbits were great to have on the tour. I loved how manueverable the boat was, allowing us to go more places than just a regular boat, including inside a sea cave, which was awesome. The snorkeling was fun too but the fish were not very active where we were. The vistas they provided us and the information within were great... I would go back on this again.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Brian
We were contacted for an "upgraded" tour at no additional cost and accepted. We were slated for a catamaran but the upgrade got us a zodiac boat. We were supposed to have 1 hour of snorkeling with the tour and with the upgrade to recieve a nicer lunch.
The trip out was bouncy but tolerable. Saw the coastline, caves and spinner dolphins which was a treat. Got the tour of the old Hawaiian and the lunch was very good.
Things deteriorated when there weren't enough snorkles for all the people! (They were two short) We were told we'd have only 30 minutes to snorkle the reef which just wasn't enough time (no explanation for the shortened snorkeling time). The trip back was brutal in the zodiac once past Barking Sands. High chop, winds and bouncing on the edge of the zodiac was particularly rough (understatement). The driver did the best he could to minimize the bouncing but we found out that the afternoon winds made the trip we expereinced very typical. It was very,very unplea
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
I was generous with my stars considering our unseasonably bad weather day on the seas. This was certainly not any fault of the team, but be mindful that weather can play a factor in the enjoyment. Biggest negatives of the weather:
choppy seas prevent some of the potential exploration
cloudy skies prevents the sun from heating you up as you get wet/cold from splashing water
We're pretty adventurous and rugged so the weather only notched down the enjoyment 1 level, but one person got sea sick on our trip and I am sure their enjoyment was a ZERO.
Weather aside, a great way to see the wonders of the Napali Coast and of course do some snorkeling. My wife was a first time snorkeler and she had a great time swimming with the fish and TURTLEs. Sadly no dolphins during the dive but we saw some on the boat trip.
If you've done a tour of the coast, this is not the best time spent for snorkeling, but a great combination tour and snorkeling adventure...so good value for your precious
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Cassidy
My husband and I took Na Pali Coast Snorkel Cruise June 29th and had such a wonderful time! The scenes are breathtaking and we do not have enough great things to say about the Na Pali explorer staff. We were given incorrect info by the concierge at our hotel and the staff worked with us so that we were still able to experience the tour we signed up for. The boat staff was wonderful and friendly which made the whole experience very enjoyable and entertaining. We learned some Hawaiian history from the staff and we were able see dolphins and sea turtles during our cruise. Overall the cruise exceeded our expectations and I would definitely recommend the Na Pali Explorer snorkel cruises to anyone!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: dan collins
First, let me say it was a fun trip. The crew was awesome; they knew the area and did a great job of explaining everything we saw. The lunch was great. We got to see whales, turtles and dolphins. But when you book a snorkeling cruise because that's what we wanted to do and there's no snorkeling and no explanation as to why, that's why I'd say this is a rip-off.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Dee
Forget my other review....that was for kayaking....this is a BLAST! The whole trip was fun but the trip back had me laughing so hard at times I couldn't breath! We wished we could have gone again! The only thing I would change is the (in my limited experience) cheap snorkels. It hurt my mouth.....otherwise all was great fun!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Dee
I had only paddled on flat water & this trip was just too much for me & my husband. The guides were great, lunch was great & the beaches were lovely but paddling that far was too much for us & a few other couples. It was a real grind getting to the 2nd beach & we had a hard time keeping up even with breaks. If you are an experienced paddler you will probably have a great time but I don't recommend for beginners!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
My new wife and I had a great time. I did this tour 8 years ago with my family and had to bring my wife back to expreience it. The tour guides were awesome! Shawn was great as were all the others. Our cruise was on Sept. 20th1 It was wonderful! the views were breathtaking, the staff was great, the food was good and the snorkeling was spectacular!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
FAST. FUN. My family loved every minute of this tour. My kids said it was like going to an amusement park on water, thrills and adrenaline rushes and all.
We will definitely be telling our friends about it who are coming to the islands for vacation...and will most likely be back to do it again ourselves next year! thanks for a great time of fun for my family!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Tim and Christie
The Na Pali coast is gorgeous and something everyone should see, especially from the sea. Our boat sat 12 guests and was very fast, but smooth. I didn't get sea sick on this fast boat and didn't really even get wet! We did the beach landing and snorkeling. Snorkeling was good and the hike to the Hawaiian village was interesting and informative. I would recommend this activity.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Nicole
This was one of the highlights of my whole trip! But first the bad stuff:
Be prepared that riding in a small zodiac very quickly through the extremely bumpy, choppy Pacific Ocean is not for the faint of heart!! You're basically holding on for dear life to a rope and you're bumping and bopping all over the place as you're speeding through the ocean. And then it rains and those drops sting you're eyes as you're speeding in a boat. If you even THINK you have a sore back or neck DO NOT do this! My boyfriend and I are both in excellent shape and we both still had soreness in our backs and butts for two days afterward from the boat ride and our knuckles were rubbed raw from holding onto the rope (we should have used the gloves the captain offered us!).
But it was SO worth it!! We even boated over a whole group of dolphins and you're seeing them way up close and personal in this zodiac rather than on a big high boat. It was so amazing!! The snorkeling is wonderful, the Na Pali Coast is
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: sunjen
I highly recommend this tour! I have done others and Rob and Mike did a great job with comfot level, food quality, facts of the na pali coast, and overall presentation. My boys and I loved it! We would do this tour again. Keep up the good work Rob and Mike!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: My Wife and I
My wife and I had a great time on the boat, the
Captain was very good at knowing the laws governing the missle base, he slowed going up the coast after hearing over the radio they were going to launch a missle. He and the crew kept a sharp eye on the surface for any ocean activity that he could get close to while we slowed, when we got past the site he showed us some incredible scenery on the Na pali shore, my wife and I thought it was the most beautiful area we have ever seen. The snorkeling part was the only draw back, it just seemed like we were the ten thousand and one boat load of people to visit that spot. The water was nice but it was just a time killer. Overall it was worth the money and the time, The Captain and Crew did a great job, it was well worth the trip.
Sorry have not downloaded any pictures yet.
The Frisby's
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Really liked this tour. Very informative captain, very attentive crew. Saw dolphins, and sea turtles. Beautiful scenery. Felt like a rollercoaster on the ride back. Lots of fun!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
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Reply from activity provider
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Aloha Christian thank u so much for your review we appreciate all of your comments and welcome u back to Kauai and our Na Pali Ohana anytime! Our goal is to give the very best tour that we can always, and guests like u make it all worthwhile!!
Claire