A few months ago, my family and I finally made it to Maui. This trip had been delayed a few times due to COVID and wildfires, but we were excited to go. I call it a “trip” because traveling with kids is a little different from my usual vacations with just my wife.
A trip involves more activities and less relaxation, though I still managed to fit in some running, even if it looked different from my usual routine. We partnered with the Pride of Maui and Maui Ocean Center amazing experiences
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If you’ve followed our Instagram, you’ve probably seen our recent “vacation” to Kauai – a jaunt my wife and I took to celebrate our joint 40th birthdays. Over the past few years, we’ve been lucky to snag some great deals and return to Kauai for running and other adventures. But there was one thing we hadn’t done, which felt almost blasphemous — we had never taken an ocean trek along the famous Na Pali coastline.
Thanks to Captain Andy’s, that finally changed.
First, the Running:
When it comes to running in Kauai, particularly near Eleele, it’s not the easiest thing. While Kauai is known for world-class hiking and trails, running right near the harbor isn’t as simple as parking and hitting a trail. You could try, but with early morning tour departures, it’s better to plan a rest day for your excursion.
What I do recommend is a separate day to run a trail up in Koke’e State Park. We ran the Nu’alolo Trail and it was an incredible experience! Pictures can’t even get into how awesome it was.
However, for those looking to get some runs in during their Kauai visit, we highly recommend the Kuilau Trail, the Nou Nou Trail, or the Kapaa Bike Path along the eastern shoreline.
The Experience:
Captain Andy’s is a well-known ocean charter company on Kauai, and while there are several tour operators that explore Na Pali, they’ve been doing it for years and know it like the back of their hand. Most of their tours – which include sailing, rafting, and whale watching – depart from Port Allen Harbor, on the southwest side of the island, right across from Kauai Island Brewing (perfect for a post-tour meal and drink).
We opted for their 6-hour Na Pali Cave Expedition tour, which we should note launches further East at the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha. This tour takes you out on a smaller, faster boat for a more intimate and adventurous experience. The boat smashes over waves, and with fewer people aboard (about 14), we felt closer to the coastline and the stunning caves. Honestly, the experience is hard to describe, and I’m not sure even our pictures fully capture it. It’s something you have to experience in person.
An early morning (9am) departure paid off too—almost immediately, we came across a huge pod of Hawaiian Spinner dolphins, which was such an incredible way to start the day. We ended up seeing some sea turtles and monk seals as well. Snorkeling is usually included, but the size of the swells this particular afternoon did not allow us to. We were not phased however!
This remote beach of Nualolo Kai, where we took a short cultural walk, was one of the highlights. It was a welcome reprieve from the sitting on the raft – and enjoyed a surprisingly tasty picnic lunch.
All the while, we were surrounded by the dramatic peaks and valleys of the Na Pali Coast. Honestly, this coastline is one of the few things in life that you probably have to experience in person to truly appreciate. I have been looking back on my pictures from the excursion and, while great, none really capture the true essense and feeling of being out on the water and seeing it right in the moment.
The Captain Andy’s staff were incredible — knowledgeable, helpful, and passionate. Special shoutout to Captain Maddie for the incredible time. It would not have been the same without her helming the raft and keeping us learning and lauching.
Whether you choose this unique small boat experience or one of Captain Andy’s standard catamaran tours, it’s worth every penny.
Captain Andy's $245
Summary
Location:
- Main Location – Eleele
- Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor – Kekaha
Many thanks to the Captain Andy’s Crew for allowing us to check out their amazing experience! Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
