Na Pali Coast - Summer Sea Kayaking Tour

Unforgettable Experience

Jay and Fin did an excellent job guiding us along the Na Pali coast 06/11. Jay had a seemingly infinite amount of information about Kauai and Hawaii and I learned so much in a short time. Fin kept us safe, on pace, and fed. Thank you for an unforgettable experience.

Response from the operator: Aloha Luis, I could be wrong but you also share your kind words on a Google Review…gracias. Here is a cut and paste of what I responded with Googgle: "Aloha Luis, There are not much things that with my brother Chino, that I can say I am proud of. One of them is pioneering 42 years ago, the Na Pali sea kayak tour that Jay and Finn shared with you. For most folks that complete the 18 mile paddle, it is often the highlight of their Hawai’i vacation. Thanks for sharing and your kind words have reminded me it has all been worthwhile. Until our wakes cross. Ahui hou, Micco/Head Guide" Thanks again….for being so nice. A hui hou, Micco

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Napali Coastline and Hanalei Bay September Kayaking

We were looking for something fun, adventurous and memorable to do during a vacation trip we took to Kauai. We’ve always been enamored by the beauty and ruggedness of the Napali coastline, and have viewed it both by zodiac boat and by large catamaran in prior travel. This time, however, we decided to look into the up close and personal experience of making the trip by kayak. After considering a couple of different tour operators, we found Kayak Kauai. For a warm up, we spent half a day kayaking the Hanalei River and Bay with one of their guides Annie. It was an incredible trip. Annie was engaging, supportive, and supremely competent. Based on this experience, two days later, we decided to take the plunge and go for the supreme challenge, the 18 miles Napali coastline. On the morning of our departure, our trip was complicated by hurricane Kiko that decided to blow by off the coast, resulting in some interesting and challenging wind, currents, and swells. It was a grueling, challenging, tiring, wonderful, spectacular…once in a lifetime trip, and we are so glad that we did this, despite the blisters and sore muscles! Jay our guide together with Cody, navigated our way down the coastline in what ended up being an epic adventure, one that my wife and I will never forget! Jay and Cody were friendly, encouraging, professional, and highly competent. Jay provided highly technical coaching in an understandable way, with lots of encouragement, which was the key to such a successful trip on a pretty challenging day at sea. We viewed the incredible coastal rock formations, paddled into three different caves, and saw sea turtles and monk seals. This will truly be an unforgettable memory for my wife and me…and by the way, we are in our 60’s; so if you are considering this trip, don’t think that it is only for the kids!

Response from the operator: Aloha Charles, What are wonderful review. Almost felt I was paddling with you both in Hanalei and along Na Pali. 41 years ago with my brother Chino, we pioneered/guided both tours you went on and have passed the baton to Jay and Annie whose love for these waters are apparent (Cody remains in training and promises to be another member of this select group of guides). Especially for those who paddle Na Pali, it is almost always the highlight of folks vacations and once in a while the highlight of their lives. Thanks for making it possible and again …thanks for a wonderful review. Until our wakes cross. A hui hou, Micco

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Exceeding Expectations Kayak Tour

If you like Kayaking, CHALLENGE yourself and book this tour, it is SO worth it!!! Our guide Annie quickly became our friend showing us; secret caves, providing educational facts, and cracking jokes while encouraging and keeping us motivated the whole paddle. She went ABOVE and BEYOND making us feel welcome and we couldn't have been in better hands. My crew did both a catamaran boat tour and a hike along the ridge and I believe this is the best way to see the Ne Pali Coast. The views are spectacular, the sea life is so close, and you get a solid workout while basking in a lot of sun. We saw a pod of dolphins, a monk seal, and the prettiest shiny fish. We ended the tour on the most beautiful beach. It was so great, we came back within the next few days to see the sunset. I highly recommend this tour, you will not regret it. Thank you Annie and thank you Kayak Kaua'i!

Response from the operator: Your guide Annie does it again and again. Sea kayaking Na Pali is not for everyone, but for those who do, it is often the highlight of their vacation to Kaua’i. Will let Annie know that she is Neptune’s gift to the sea A hui hou, Micco

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So nice I did it twice / best way to experience Kalalau and Na Pali Coast

The Maverick (custom/overnight Na Pali tour) with Kayak Kauai was so great I had to come back for seconds! This review will be long but hopefully thorough to answer some questions I had going into it. The Maverick route is the same as the Haena-to-Polihale route, but you are able to break it up over multiple days by camping at the beautiful Na Pali beaches along the way. Your guide drops you off each day and paddles home, then paddles back out to meet you the following morning. On my first trip I camped 1 night at Kalalau and 1 night at Miloli'i. On the second trip I spent 2 nights at Kalalau - I recommend the latter itinerary just because there is so much to explore and experience at Kalalau that 1 night is not enough. Camping at Miloli'i does help to break up the distance of the return trip, but you will stop there for a rest either way. Miloli'i campsite has slightly more amenities (e.g. showers) but personally I still preferred extra nights at Kalalau to explore the valley and trail or simply just to take in the magic. Micco + Kayak Kauai provided me with every customization and comfort for an epic trip - if you provide the camping permits (and the wherewithal to handle the ocean conditions), they will take care of everything else. Micco is very responsive and patient with answering any questions and shields you from all the logistical complexities - just fill out the form and he will handle it! It was a luxury not to worry about coordinating the equipment, launching and landing, driving over all the bumps at Polihale, etc. I highly recommend renting a soft-pac cooler as part of your package to take your camping food to the next level. Kayak Kauai took such excellent care of me that it made the guiding fees worthwhile. My trips were not without some hiccups (man-o-war stings inside the boat, choppy seas, bumpy landings, etc.) and this is where I felt very secure having a guide with me vs. trying to DIY the trip - the guides handled all of these issues calmly and professionally. They were able to radio when our kayaks were entering the different sea caves so that other boat/zodiac captains on the water don't zoom into the caves or create a large wake. I also learned way more about the history, geography, flora and fauna than I would if I had been on my own. Finally, I want to shout out Mike R for his excellent guiding on both trips. He made my experience more special by highlighting the significance of each area along the coast. The time and effort will fly by as he teaches you about Hawaiian history, wildlife, contemporary issues, etc. He also kept me calm as I watched kayak after kayak capsizing ahead of us in the choppy water - he bent over backwards to keep his promise that we wouldn't capsize and that sets Kayak Kauai apart to me. His enthusiasm on the water is contagious and something you should experience for yourself! If I could do this paddle every weekend I would. I've toured the coast via zodiac, catamaran, small boat, hike, helicopter, etc. and the Maverick trip is really something else. If you're in the right physical shape to take it on, you should absolutely prioritize this trip.

via Tripadvisor

Trip of a lifetime!

On June 1, we went on the Na Pali Coast tour with Mike as our guide, and Jay as our driver. My husband and I are in our 50's, and have both kayaked before, him more than me. Overall, it was very challenging at times, but well worth the effort. We had a fantastic time, and Mike was an excellent guide. He took us in to sea caves, which was an experience we will never forget, and we had a nice relaxing lunch on the beach. This was the trip of a lifetime! Mike and Jay, thanks for taking good care of us, and sharing your expertise and guidance throughout our trip.

Response from the operator: Aloha BTB70, You both finished one of the more demanding and challenging sea kayak journeys on the planet. Not for everyone, but for those who complete the paddle, it is often as you stated, "trip of a lifetime". Thanks for your kind words and will share with Mike and Jay. Reviews like yours make it all worth it from the top to bottom of our staff and guides. Stay well and active and glad you enjoyed the "Everest" of sea kayaking. A hui hou, Micco

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