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Catamaran Kahanu

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The Catamaran Kahanu half days tours give you as a guest a unique perspective on the rich cultural heritage of the island, brought to one by the most knowledgeable and beloved characters on the island, Captain Lani Swain along with his wife Aunty Debbie and the amazing crew. It will also allow you to experience the beauty of the Na Pali coast and the rich wildlife that calls the island home up close and personal. 

Enjoy an awe-inspiring journey to Kauai’s Na Pali Coast with Catamaran Kahanu. As a guest, you will learn all about our Hawaiian family business, dating back to 1985, and discover one of the greatest treasures of Kauai, the cliffs of Na Pali. Your adventurous voyage will take you to where Captain Lani’s (Catamaran Kahanu’s Captain) family once lived, and you will learn the culture and history of the ancient people who once thrived in these remote valleys. The lava tubes, sea caves, and cascading waterfalls will also make an impact as well the purposes and dolphins, known there as the naia, the humpback whales, the kohola, the sea turtles or honu, and more (December to April).  

Catamaran Kahanu features two main choices when it comes to tour options. First, is the Kauai Whale Watching Tour, with a duration of two hours. This tour departs from Port Allen and allows you to get up close and personal to the ocean’s gentle giants. Aim to visit from December to March if your goal is whale watching because this is their most active viewing season. 

If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a mother whale, nurturing her young calves to swim toward the ocean surface. Captain Lani and the crew will include lots of local history, lure, and stories along with your voyage. You will even likely glimpse a view of some sea turtles, porpoises, and dolphins during your excursion. Soda, juice, and pretzels are available during your sail. 

Catamaran Kahanu recommends you bring along a bottle of water and wear comfortable clothing that protects you from the sun during the whale-watching tour. Ideally, this will include wearing a long-sleeve t-shirt, comfortable footwear, and a hat or visor. During your sail, you will be barefoot, so make sure you bring along a bag to hold your shoes while on board. 

The second option you can take advantage of at Catamaran Kahanu is the Na Pali Coast Boat Tour. This immersive excursion lasts around five hours and is offered year-round. As a guest, you will partake of the beauty that is the Na Pali Coast, along with wildlife like porpoises and dolphins. Your Captain Lani and crew will regale you with historic facts and cultural tidbits about the island throughout the experience. 

Enjoy views of Niihau island, approximately 17 miles in the distance, though it seems close enough to swim to, as the tour travels north. You will have a chance to experience for yourself the beauty and majesty of island waterfalls, sea caves and cliffs. Guests can swim and snorkel when the tour stops at the protected Nualolo Kai reef. The historic setting of this region was a Hawaiian fishing village. Today, you will likely see sea turtles swimming uninhibited in their natural environment. This tour also includes snorkeling instructions and gear. 

During the tour, you can enjoy a deli-style lunch, which gives you the choice of ham or turkey, two types of cheese, pasta salad with roasted red pepper dressing, tomatoes and lettuce. Dessert includes chocolate chip cookies and fresh pineapples. Juice and sodas are also available. 

Guests are encouraged to bring along water either in hydro flax or bottle. You should also wear comfortable clothing, which includes swimwear with cover-ups, shorts, and a t-shirt. Protect yourself from the sun’s rays by wearing either a long-sleeved shirt and/or a visor or hat. Make sure you pack a bag with a towel and camera to ensure you are ready for anything. On board, you can go barefoot but sandals or slippers are recommended for off-boat activities. 

Due to the immense experience of Captain Lani and the Catamaran Kahanu’s amazing crew, your comfort, satisfaction and enjoyment is guaranteed. This means, though, that Captain Lani will deviate from the predetermined tour if ocean conditions get too rough along the Na Pali Coast. In this event, the Captain will steer the tour towards calmer waters. 

Insider Tips: -These tour options are for individuals who are in good health overall. If you have had surgery recently, have a heart condition, or are pregnant, a tour on the Catamaran Kahanu is likely not the experience for you. -Guests are asked not to wear aqua shoes from the shore to the catamaran, because red dirt will gather on the bottom of these shoes and end up on the catamaran. Instead, you are encouraged to go barefoot on board. Or to wear aqua shoes that are clean on board and other footwear on land. 

catamaran kahanu kauai

Private Charters

Looking for a Private Tour? Contact us today and we will work with you to create a unique and memorable experience on Catamaran Kahanu. From exploring the waterfalls and caves along the Nā Pali Coast to a relaxing cruise to Poipu, Captain Lani and our crew will provide an unforgettable day on the water for your friends, family or colleagues private group.

catamaran kahanu kauai

IMAGES

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  2. Catamaran Kahanu (Eleele)

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  3. Catamaran Kahanu (Eleele)

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  4. CATAMARAN KAHANU (Eleele)

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VIDEO

  1. Catamaran Napali Coast, Kauai 2017

  2. Kauai Catamaran Sunset Cruise 1/11/2019

  3. Hmare kahanu ka chtti bhog

  4. Kauai Whale Watching

  5. Hele On To Kauai & Wahine Ilikea @ Catamaran

  6. Waves on the shore Kahanu Garden, Maui 360 video

COMMENTS

  1. Catamaran Kahanu

    Nā Pali Coast Catamaran Boat Tour. Sail Kauai's Nā Pali Coast! Get up close and personal with majestic cliffs, sea caves, and a cascading waterfalls. You may even see dolphins 🐬, sea turtles 🐢, and whales 🐋! Book Now. Learn More. From $ 120 $120. Ages 5+. 2 hours.

  2. Catamaran Kahanu

    The whole Catamaran Kahanu team made this an incredibly special experience. Booking with Auntie Debbie was super easy, and the instructions on arrival were simple to follow. Captain Lani was so knowledgeable about the coastline and history of Kauai, and the whole family even showed us how safe we were when they actually helped rescue another ...

  3. Kauai Boat Tours & Charters

    Kauai Whale Watching Tour. Get up close and personal with the ocean's gentle giants. Viewing these magnificent creatures is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience! Come sail with Catamaran Kahanu! Owned and operated by a local Hawaiian family for over 35 years. Experience the natural beauty of the Nā Pali Coast on a sailing trip or whale ...

  4. Kauai's Premier Nā Pali Coast Boat Tour

    Experience the Nā Pali Coast on a Boat Tour. Witness the incredible beauty of Kauai on the Nā Pali Coast. The nai'a 🐬 (dolphins and porpoises) cruise along the catamaran, so have your camera ready for amazing pictures! Captain Lani and the crew share Hawaiian culture and history along the way.. As we travel up north towards Nā Pali, you see the island of Niihau in the distance ...

  5. CATAMARAN KAHANU

    Specialties: Aloha! E kau mai! Welcome aboard Catamaran Kahanu, our home on the ocean, which will take you to the breathtaking Nä Pali coast. As you design your vacation we hope you will join our ÿohana (family) in an intimate Hawaiian ocean experience as we share with you the rich heritage and history of our ancestors and the places they called home. Come, take off your shoes, sit back and ...

  6. CATAMARAN KAHANU: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go ...

    Catamaran Kahanu. 1,782 reviews. #1 of 12 Outdoor Activities in Eleele. Scuba & SnorkellingBoat ToursDolphin & Whale Watching. Open now. 06:00 - 21:00. Write a review. See all photos. About.

  7. Catamaran Kahanu

    Catamaran Kahanu, Eleele: See 1,770 reviews, articles, and 902 photos of Catamaran Kahanu, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 14 attractions in Eleele.

  8. CATAMARAN KAHANU (Eleele): All You Need to Know

    Catamaran Kahanu. 1,586 reviews. #1 of 15 things to do in Eleele. Boat Tours & Water Sports, Outdoor Activities, Tours, More. Features Animals. Eleele, HI, USA. More. About Catamaran Kahanu. Na Pali Coast Tour experience the majestic cliffs, sea caves, and marine animals.

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    Apr 16, 2024 - Na Pali Coast Tour experience the majestic cliffs, sea caves, and marine animals. Enjoy swim and snorkel. Best day on your vacation with Captain Lani and ohana.

  10. Catamaran Kahanu

    Catamaran Kahanu is a family run business and it shows. The Na Pali coast is beautiful but the experience was even better with the family run boat. ... This was by far the highlight of our Kauai vacation! The Kahanu is a family owned business that takes the time to ensure everyone enjoys the tour. Captain Lani, Kia'āina, and Kanani we're ...

  11. CATAMARAN KAHANU

    14 reviews and 40 photos of CATAMARAN KAHANU "This is the second time my wife and I went to the Na Pali Coast with this family crew. The Captain is native and knows the area well as he & his family have lived and worked the Na Pali coast since the 1600s (or at least that's how far back he says he can directly trace his lineage). His mate is a terrific tour guide and was always explaining the ...

  12. About Us

    Captain Lani's first priority when guest are onboard Kahanu is their safety. Captain Lani has been operating catamarans since 1971, and his pride and joy, is "Catamaran Kahanu". When you ask him about work he will often say, "It's another beautiful day at the office!". Captain Lani has a little gruff exterior but underneath you will ...

  13. Catamaran Kahanu

    The whole Catamaran Kahanu team made this an incredibly special experience. Booking with Auntie Debbie was super easy, and the instructions on arrival were simple to follow. Captain Lani was so knowledgeable about the coastline and history of Kauai, and the whole family even showed us how safe we were when they actually helped rescue another ...

  14. CATAMARAN KAHANU

    127 reviews and 184 photos of Catamaran Kahanu "Highly, Highly recommend this trip! Best snorkeling trip to the Na Pali Coast. It has been run by a local family for 26 years and they can take you where the other tours can't. Great lunch! It's a must do every time I come to Kauai. You won't be disappointed!"

  15. Catamaran Kahanu

    Catamaran Kahanu features two main choices when it comes to tour options. First, is the Kauai Whale Watching Tour, with a duration of two hours. This tour departs from Port Allen and allows you to get up close and personal to the ocean's gentle giants.

  16. Whale Watching Tour in Kauai

    During your sail, Captain Lani and the crew share Kauai's culture and history. You may also see nai'a 🐬 (dolphins and porpoises) and honu 🐢 (sea turtles) cruising along the catamaran. Have your camera ready for amazing pictures! ... Catamaran Kahanu. Purchase a Gift Card Contact Us (808) 645-6176 [email protected] 4353 Waialo ...

  17. CATAMARAN KAHANU

    The whole Catamaran Kahanu team made this an incredibly special experience. Booking with Auntie Debbie was super easy, and the instructions on arrival were simple to follow. Captain Lani was so knowledgeable about the coastline and history of Kauai, and the whole family even showed us how safe we were when they actually helped rescue another ...

  18. CATAMARAN KAHANU

    Catamaran Kahanu is open Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat. 104 reviews of Catamaran Kahanu "Highly, Highly recommend this trip! Best snorkeling trip to the Na Pali Coast. It has been run by a local family for 26 years and they can take you where the other tours can't. Great lunch!

  19. Kauai Boat Tours & Charters

    Experience Kauai's Nā Pali Coast aboard Catamaran Kahanu! We specialize in affordable and family friendly Nā Pali coast boat tours, snorkeling tours, and whale watching! ... Experience Kauai's Nā Pali Coast on a sailing trip or whale watching adventure! Most Popular! From $ 225 $ 205. Year-round; 5 hours; Ages 5+ Nā Pali Coast Catamaran ...

  20. Private Nā Pali Coast Charters

    Contact Us Today! Catamaran Kahanu. Purchase a Gift Card. Contact Us. (808) 645-6176 [email protected] 4353 Waialo Road. Eleele, HI 96705. Quick Links. Home. Kauai Whale Watching Tour.