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 Prices |
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Regular Price
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Splash of Kauai Price
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| Adult |
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$129 |
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$119
(with tax $126.14) |
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| Adult with Scuba |
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$164 |
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$154
(with tax $163.24) |
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| Child (2 to 11yrs) |
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$ 89 |
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$ 79 (with tax $ 83.74) |
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Prices subject to change -
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No Pregnant women -
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2 yrs. is the minimum age -
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Must be able to board boat on own -
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More Detail about The Na Pali Snorkel Trip |
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First of all you start off by checking in at the Blue Dolphin Office. Parking for the boat rides is available in the gravel parking lot behind the Port Allen Marina Center In the office you need to fill out a waiver for everyone who is going on the trip. Then you the waivers to the person checking people in by the cash register. They will also figure out how the payment will be made.
After that relax around the office. There is stuff to look at, coffee to drink, usually a diving instructor to talk to. If you want to go Scuba diving let them know it is $37.10 extra. When every one is ready you will be guided down to the boat.
At the boat please put your shoes in the box. If you are good they
will be returned to you later. It works much better on the boat barefooted.
Exceptions are made for medical reasons. You will be boarding the
boat by a gangway which will be moving. Don't stand to close to it.
Once on the boat you will be given a safety briefing by the captain.
Listen to this it is important. The main part is to be careful and
don't get hurt.
After all of the boring stuff the boat trip begins. You start of with
drinks coffee, water, juice and soda. There are also cinnamon rolls
and fresh fruit in the mornings. The captain will be telling you about
the places and things that you will be seeing on the trip. The island
features stay much the same but the marine life can move around.
Round trip you will be traveling about 60 nautical miles. This means that most of the time the boat will be traveling fast about 18 Knots is the cruising speed. Watch out for your hats and lose items. Many will be sporting a new hair dew after this trip. |
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The weather varies
a lot around here especially during the winter months.
There are days where the boat does not go. There are days that the
boat does not go to the Napali coast due to weather. There are also
days where the snorkeling is not available.
The summer is much more consistent. The predominant winds are the
Trade Winds. They blow from the East Northeast. This makes the beginning
part of the trip downwind and calm. The West side of the island is
usually very calm. Once you start to see the Na Pali (The Cliffs)
you also start to feel the waves. These can get rough. On the Na Pali
Coast you are usually traveling at first against the waves this is
usually rough and best to be sitting down or holding on.
When you do turn the boat around on the Na Pali Coast you are suddenly
going down wind and the ride becomes much smoother. This is where
the sail usually comes out. We don't really sail. The sail is more
for looks. This is a good time to get those pictures of everyone and
the Na Pali in the background.
Snorkeling in the summer is usually at Makole at the Southern end
of the Na Pali it is usually calm here. In the winter there are big
waves here and the snorkeling is usually at Olokele near the Harbor.
The boat has masks, snorkels, fins, snorkel vests, and fresh water
for rinsing. You should bring a towel. After snorkeling lunch is served
and the bar is opened. You have the same drinks as before with the
addition of beer, wine and Mai Tais ( In the winter the lunch is usually
before the snorkeling and the bar is after snorkeling. It works better
this way due to time and water conditions.)
On the South side of the island you are usually going into the trade winds and get a last bit of waves.
Along the way there are stops to check out marine life, waterfalls,
caves, and anything else of interest that the boat sees. Every trip
is different. You should also talk to the crew and ask any questions
that you might have about the trip or the island.
So far the boat has always made it back and you are reunited with your shoes. Please do not upgrade here because some people become very attached to there shoes. |
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Important Information about Scuba |
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The scuba option is a guided tour during the snorkeling stop. It is available for certified and not certified divers. Advance notice is not needed. but to be sure there is room it is advised. Important thing to note.
- A medical form must be filled out by non certified divers.
(Doctors permission may be required)
- You can not go diving if you are flying or going to altitude the same day afterwards.
(We are talking about Waimea Canyon 4000,' Helicopters and Planes)
- Must be 12 yrs. or older. Under 18 needs a parents permission.
- If you are non certified you must understand a lesson and demonstrate some skills in
the water.
- Refunds are only given to those who cannot pass the medical form or if weather doesn't
permit diving. |
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For those of you who are going for the Scuba option. Talk to your instructor early in the trip. They will make sure that all of the paperwork is taken care of and that you get some instruction. More instruction if you are not certified.
The Scuba diving will take place at the snorkeling stop. You will be closer to the fish and have a much better chance of seeing turtles. |
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Afternoon Snorkel Boat |
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In the summer there is an afternoon snorkeling tour. This is usually from June to August.
The check in time is 1:30 pm to 1:45 pm |
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Things to Bring on the Boat |
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- Swimming suit
- Towel
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.
- Camera
- Light jacket, dry clothes.
- Motion sickness medication (Usually before trip follow instructions) |
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| What to bring on the Boat ? |
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On the boat you will be exposed to lots of wind, sun and water. There are sheltered areas on the boat but you will most likely be outside in the wind and sun.
Sunscreen is very important on the water. Not only do you get direct sun but the water reflects it too. Sunglasses are good to. If you wear a hat watch out for the wind. The boat will be moving fast and hats are the most common item that gets sacrificed to the sea gods. Sometimes the boat will go back for them usually not.
A swimming suit under your clothes is also useful, even on a sunset trip. That is because the front of the boat is often very wet. Towards the back is drier. Sometimes a light windbreaker is good for the mornings and after sunset. A towel and sometimes something dry to change into is good.
Bring shoes that are easy to take off. That is because you will be
barefoot for the trip.
If you have a medical condition that necessitates shoes wear something
that will not be to slippery.
A camera is very important. You are going to one of the most beautiful places in Hawaii. It is always good to get some pictures to remember it by. If you bring a good camera you have to protect it from the elements. If you don't want to be the guardian of the camera all day waterproof cameras would be a good choice. If you go for the underwater disposable cameras you should write your name on it. They can get mixed up very easily. |
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Outdated Information |
| One word of caution. There is still
some older and out dated information around ( Brochures and Maps).
Blue Dolphin has been at the same location for several years now so
this is getting to be very rare. Don't forget to check your voucher
for the location and the map. |
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Na Pali Coast |
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 Na
Pali means the cliffs. The Northwest side of Kauai once slumped down
into the ocean leaving behind massive sea cliffs up to about 1000'
vertical drops. The top of the cliffs at Kalalau is just over 4000'..
Over the years water from rain and ocean waves sculpted the cliffs
into the shape they are in today. People come from around the world
to see this coast. It is hard to get to but worth the effort.
It is more easy to see than to describe so please look at the "Photo Album - Na
Pali". More photos can be seen at "Kauai
Guide - Na Pali". |
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About Blue Dolphin Charters |
Blue Dolphin Charters
was started in 1995 by Terry Donnelly. He was running a small dive
operation out of Kukuiula Harbor at the time.
The first Blue Dolphin boat was the "Tropic Bird" it was
an experienced boat that was well suited to sailing trips along Kauai's
South shore. The sailing and snorkeling was fun but people wanted
to see the Na Pali Coast. Terry decided to try the Na Pali and moved
the operation to Port Allen. The trip was tough on the Tropic Bird
and she underwent many modifications to make her stronger and faster.
It was soon realized that he needed a better boat that was designed
for the long and often rough trip. That better boat was the Blue Dolphin
and in its wake came along the Blue Dolphin II. They are currently
the largest boats running along the Na Pali Coast. |
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Dolphin Watching |
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Dolphin watching is
one of the highlights of the Na Pali Tours. They are seen on almost
every morning tour. That is because they are usually in large pods.
Resting or playing near shore in the mornings. Later in the day they
usually move further off shore and start looking for food. They are
harder to spot then.
The most common type of dolphin seen is the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin.
It is a small dolphin that has a habit of jumping in the air and spinning.
It is well named. One of the most common questions about them is why
do they spin?
Only the dolphins know for sure. I think that it is fun and a good
way for them to show off. Many of the spinning dolphins also have
sucker fish attached to them and it may be an attempt to get rid of
them.
Other dolphins are sometimes seen. Bottlenose Dolphins are the second
most commonly encountered. |
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Humpback Whales |
Hawaii is the winter
birthing and breeding grounds for Humpback Whales. The first ones
are usually spotted in October and the last ones in June. The best
time for seeing them is from December to April with the middle of
the season being the best.
It is estimated that up to 10,000 whales come to Hawaii each year.
They visit all of the islands. Many are seen in Kauai waters. The
population is still recovering so there are more every year.
Of course when the whales are here we take some time to watch them.
We are not allowed to approach closer than 100 yards from the whales.
This is still close enough to see them well. They can come closer
than that to us and they often do. We see them much better on those
occasions.
It is the birthing grounds so there are lots of baby whales (calves)
hanging around mom. They spend much of their time nursing to put on
weight and learning to swim. There is also lots of fin slapping, tail
slapping and jumping. About April they start to get hungry and they
start heading North. They spend their summers around Alaska eating.
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Activities
Top
Blue Dolphin
Related
Pages 
The
Na Pali snorkeling tour takes you from Port Allen to the
Na Pali Coast and back. 
Blue
Dolphin also has a 
Na
Pali Sunset Tour
