Blue Dolphin Charters
Blue Dolphin Charters
4.5
Scuba & Snorkelling • Boat Tours • Eco Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching
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7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
No visit to Kauai is complete without an adventure on Na Pali Coast! Blue Dolphin Charters is proud to run the two largest motor sailing catamarans on Kauai specializing in tours of Na Pali Coast and the forbidden island of Niihau. Whether you are here for a family vacation, honeymoon or looking for a new adventure, Blue Dolphin Charters will make your trip to Kauai a memorable experience for years to come!
Eleele, Hawaii
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Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022

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(292 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
3,373 reviews
Excellent
2,810
Very good
301
Average
107
Poor
73
Terrible
82

AndHomeAgain
Half Moon Bay, CA22 contributions
Mar 2023
My family booked the Ni'ihau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel tour for Friday, March 3, the first day of our week in Hawaii. We got a call the night before that the tour would be canceled because of strong winds and high swells between Kauai'i and Ni'ihau. We were given the option to take the shorter Deluxe Na Pali Snorkel Tour. I'm so glad we did! Captain Joe got everything going with positive energy, but still made sure we all understood the safety drill. Before the boat even left the dock there was a sea turtle hanging out, watching us. Then we pulled out of the harbor. Soon, more sea turtles, then a pod of dolphins swimming all around us, even between the hulls in the front! We stopped to snorkel and saw more sea turtles and so many beautiful tropical fish.

The crew was always friendly, organized and safety-conscious. JR especially strolled around the boat as if walking down a sidewalk, making sure everyone was having a good time and had everything they needed. Rob and Collin were busy managing food and gear.

Seeing the Na Pali coast from a boat is spectacular! On the way back we saw multiple pods of whales.

I felt like Kauai'i herself was welcoming me! Thank you to all the staff at Blue Dolphin Charters!
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo nui loa for taking the time to write those kind words! It is unfortunate that the weather on the day of your tour did not allow us to cross the channel to Ni'ihau; however, we were delighted to read that you decided to join us for the Deluxe NaPali Coast Snorkel Tour. Our crew is dedicated to making sure each trip is safe, fun, and comfortable for all on board, and strives to provide "Above and Beyond" customer service, so we were thrilled to read that you experienced just that with Captain Joe, Rob, JR, and Collin. We couldn't be happier to read how much you enjoyed snorkeling with us, as well as the beautiful scenery of the NaPali Coast, and your encounters with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, Spinner Dolphins, and Humpback Whales! It was a pleasure to have had you as our guest, and we hope that you will join us once again in the future so that we can show you what was missed at Ni'ihau. Mahalo and aloha from all of us here at Blue Dolphin Charters.
Written March 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TripD
Dayton, OH2 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
The sunset cruise was one of the highlights of a family trip we took in Oct 22. The crew was helpful, thorough and incredibly knowledgeable (Capt. Elia, Rob and Megan). The dinner exceeded our expectations as well making this a great value compared to some of the other companies we looked at.

I should point out that several people on the trip got sick (not in our party who all took Dramamine before). I don’t believe this had anything to do with Blue Dolphin and was more related to Mother Nature and the truly powerful ocean near the Nepali coast in October. We loved the 10+ foot waves but it might not be for everyone.
Written October 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for joining us on the NaPali Coast Sunset Dinner Cruise and taking the time to share this review. Blue Dolphin Charters is family owned and operated and strives to provide a tour that is safe and fun for the whole family, so we were delighted to read that you experienced just that. Our guest's wellbeing is always our top priority, so we appreciate you taking the time to spread awareness about sea-sickness with our future guests. We recommend guests with a predisposition to motion sickness take precautionary measures and we have a variety of options available for purchase next to the check-in desk at the office. We couldn't be happier to read how much you enjoyed our Luau-Style Dinner, as well as the hospitality of Captain Elia and crew. We are honored that you and your family consider your trip with us to be a highlight of your vacation on Kauai! Mahalo nui loa and aloha.
Written November 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Patrick W
Gainesville, TX8 contributions
Dec 2022
We did the afternoon / evening sunset cruise. Mother Nature cooperated and we had a perfect evening that included clear skies, smooth sailing and even two whale sightings. Captain Nate and first mates Rob and Colin were great hosts. Captain Nate is very knowledgeable regarding Na Pali coastline and does a great job of narrating along the way. It is a four hour trip - no alcohol the first two hours, and that's probably a good idea - no need for four hours of drinking. The crew puts safety first. If you are prone to motion sickness I would highly advise taking advance precautions. The boast definitely bounces around as you hit the northwest part of the island. This is a wonderful excursion.
Written December 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha Patrick. Mahalo for joining us on the NaPali Coast Sunset Dinner Cruise and taking the time to share this detailed review of your experience. Our guest's well-being is always our top priority, so we appreciate you spreading awareness about the adventurous ocean conditions that we can encounter this time of year, as well as motion sickness, with our future guests. We recommend guests with a predisposition to motion sickness take precautionary measures, and we have a variety of preventive options available for purchase next to the check-in desk at the office. Choppy waters or not, our crew strives to make sure each tour is safe, fun, and comfortable for all on board, so we were pleased to read that you experienced exactly that with Captain Nate, Rob, and Collin. How fortunate that you were able to encounter Humpback Whales while sailing with us! We hope this tour will be a wonderful memory for you to look back upon for years to come. Mahalo nui loa!
Written December 9, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jessica W
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Couples
During our stay on Kauai, we went on the Deluxe NaPali Snorkel (Captain Joe, crew Brian, Zach and one other) and the Poipu Whale Watch tour (with Zach again, forgetting the other names). We were more than pleased with our experience on both tours! The Deluxe NaPali tour was some of the best money we spent on the island! The views of the coastline were incredible, and we saw multiple pods of dolphins who swam with the boat, several whales, seals, turtles and hundreds of fish snorkeling. They had breakfast, lunch and snacks for us, along with an open bar for the majority of the trip. The crew did an amazing job keeping everyone safe and checking on people who were experiencing motion sickness. If you get sea sick, highly recommend taking a preventative as the boat even on a calm day, can be rough. The whale watching tour was also incredible! In just two hours, we saw around 20 whales, and 15 breaches. During both tours, the crew was super knowledgeable. The crew told us all about the surrounding islands and wildlife, and answered any questions we had. Cannot speak highly enough about this company and the crew and captains!
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha Jessica. Mahalo for joining us not once, but twice during your stay here on Kauai! We were delighted to read how much you enjoyed sailing with us for the Deluxe NaPali Snorkel Tour as well as the 2 Hour Afternoon Poipu Whale Watch. Our guests' wellbeing is always our top priority, so we appreciate you spreading awareness about motion sickness with our future guests. We recommend guests with a predisposition to motion sickness take precautions and we have a variety of preventative options available for purchase right next to the check-in desk at the office. Choppy waters or not, our crew is dedicated to making sure each tour is safe, fun, and comfortable for all on board, and strives to always provide "Above and Beyond" customer service. We were pleased to read that you experienced just that with Captain Joe, Kai, Brian and Zach, and once again with Captain Elia, Ahjah and Zach. We were thrilled to read how much you enjoyed the breaching Humpback Whales, Spinner Dolphins riding the bow, and snorkeling with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and a variety of reef fish. We hope these tours will be a wonderful memory for you to look back upon for years to come. Mahalo nui loa from all of us here at Blue Dolphin Charters. A hui hou.
Written January 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

FunintheSunKauai
Kauai HI5 contributions
Oct 2022
First I want to thank Blue Dolphin Charters for their support of our Kauai community clean-up efforts. They donated a sunset dinner cruise as a prize for 'Make a Difference Day' and I was the lucky winner! My sister was visiting so we were all over that. I'm a long time Kauai resident who has been on multiple NaPali excursions. This one was exceptional. Captain Evan expertly handled the boat in high wind and waves and his knowledgeable narrative was not too much and not too cheesy. Crew members Luke and Ruby were extremely attentive to our safety and comfort. I love that we took time to hang out with the frolicking dolphins, the pali (cliffs) were exquisite in the late afternoon light, and the water was an incredibly beautiful blue. Blue Dolphin rocks. Thank you for a memorable experience.
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for your recognition of our efforts in supporting the local community. Blue Dolphin Charters is especially proud to contribute to events and organizations that promote clean beaches, and ocean safety. We were delighted to read how much you enjoyed your time on the water with Captain Evan, Ruby, and Luke. We love our kama'aina and we hope that you will join us once again the next time you have a craving to visit the beautiful NaPali Coast. It was a pleasure to have had you and your sister as our guests. A hui hou.
Written November 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Greenstarfish2
Flint, MI64 contributions
Dec 2022
Let me start by saying the Catamaran was good, and the staff was excellent. They were very helpful and caring the entire trip. Now what I think everyone should know about this trip. First, they canceled the snorkeling b/c of the waves the morning of and we just did a sail up the Napali coast. I understand why they did what they did b/c I didn’t see anyplace along our route we could have even thought about snorkeling. My guess is during the winter months you either can't go at all or they almost never actually snorkel. I think that should have been made clearer at time of booking. My main reason for going was the snorkeling. Next this isn't (during the winter months anyway) for the faint of heart or anyone that has ever been seasick or doesn't know for a fact that they won't get seasick. I would also recommend everyone take a sea sickness med prior to going on this trip and make sure to take the meds well ahead of the trip time so it has time to work. We had a good weather day, bright sunny, and calm, but during the winter the swells are huge and there is no escaping it. The scenery was beautiful but it’s hard to really enjoy it b/c it’s a long trip in massive waves. In my opinion they should have a different description for the trip during the winter months b/c looking at the pictures online and reading the description is misleading this time of year. We did see plenty of dolphins which was the highlight of the trip for me but, no whales. Overall, I would say the trip during the winter is probably very different then the summer and they should not sell this trip as advertised. The staff was great and I'm sure during the summer months this is a great trip. It’s just too long without being able to snorkel in the middle and the waves are relentless even on the best days in the winter. My guess is all the vendors are the same in this regard. I would avoid this trip in the winter unless you know for sure you have an iron stomach. The crew even said this is the gold standard for sea sickness. If you don’t get sick on this trip, then you won’t get sick. On our trip at least one third of the passengers were throwing up for most of the trip. The company was good and the grew great, but the trip is rough in the winter.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha Greenstarfish2. Thank you for sharing your honest feedback and opinions. We were pleased to read that you enjoyed our catamaran, as well as the hospitality of your crew. Safety of our passengers is always our top priority, so snorkeling is an activity that is weather permitting year-round. We are able to share snorkeling with our guest's majority of the time; however, if the captain encounters waters that pose a safety risk to our passengers, they will forego snorkeling and opt to spend more time with marine life such as Humpback Whales and Spinner Dolphins along the NaPali Coast. We do not wish for any of our guests to experience motion sickness, so we do our best to communicate this risk to all passengers prior to each tour. We recommend guests with a predisposition to motion sickness take precautionary measures, and we have a variety of preventative options available for purchase right next to the check-in desk at the office. Our tours here on Kauai are exposed to the open ocean, so adventurous conditions are a possibility year-round, as we experience wind and swell from different directions throughout the year. In winter months, we consistently receive wonderful reviews, across multiple platforms which often include pictures of the NaPali Coast and ocean conditions. It is unfortunate that you were unable to enjoy your tour due to motion sickness. We hope the rest of your vacation on Kauai exceeded your expectations. Aloha.
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Emily
Colorado Springs, CO5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We had a great experience on our Na Pali Coast sunset dinner cruise last Saturday. I believe the names of the crew were Evan, CJ (TJ?) and Kevin (hopefully I remembered correctly!) They ALL went above and beyond making sure everyone was comfortable and had a good time. The crew offered to take pictures of my husband and I multiple times, which was something no one had done on the other cruises we’ve done on Oahu and Maui. In fact, another company we cruised with charged you for any photos they took. So this was just one way Blue Dolphin went above and beyond.

It was easy to get drink refills, water/soda/juice, and snacks while on board. And the champagne toast at sunset was a nice touch as well! We saw multiple whales (and even a baby whale!) while on board and the captain slowed down so we could have the best chance of multiple sightings.

There were multiple people who got seasick, so if you’re prone to seasickness, I would avoid this tour since it’s around 4 hours long and the water can get choppy. This is also not the cruise for you if you’re wanting a fancy dress, fine dining dinner cruise, as there are no tables and everyone has to take their shoes off. We actually prefer having no tables because it’s nice not to have to share a small table with people we don’t know. The casual vibe was great! I liked the bench seating and standing by the rails because it let my husband and I spend quality time together.

The Na Pali Coast is stunning and we were just so impressed with the customer service of the crew. We’ll be recommending Blue Dolphin to others and will hopefully take another cruise with you on a future trip to Kauai! Thanks for everything!
Written March 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha Emily. Mahalo for joining us on the NaPali Coast Sunset Dinner Cruise and taking the time to share this detailed review. Our guests' wellbeing is always our top priority, so we appreciate you spreading awareness about motion sickness with our future guests. We recommend guests with a predisposition to motion sickness take precautionary measures, and we have a variety of preventative options available for purchase next to the check-in desk at the office. Our crew strives to provide "Above and Beyond" customer service, so we were thrilled to read that you experienced just that with Captain Evan, Rob, and CJ. It was a pleasure to read how much you and your husband enjoyed sailing with us, and we hope to see you once again the next time you are here on Kauai. Mahalo for recommending Blue Dolphin Charters! A hui hou.
Written March 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

KCA
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Family
The whole experience from start to finish was a really good one… from Making the reservation, check in process, providing information to be prepared, instructions from Captain Luke and Rob. We couldn’t have asked for a better captain or a crew person. They always had our safety in mind, they provided good information and history about the island, Captain Luke navigated the rough ride back excellently, they found us an excellent spot for snorkeling, they pointed out and showed us dolphins, turtles, fish. They made sure to provide enough time for us to soak in the experience and take pictures.
Thanks to Captain Luke and Rob we had a very memorable family experience that we’ll remember and cherish for a long time! I highly recommend trusting Blue Dolphin Charters to provide you with a once in a lifetime experience.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha Kimi. Mahalo for choosing Blue Dolphin Charters for your NaPali Coast Raft Adventure. We were delighted to read that you appreciated our operations from start to finish. It was a joy to read how much you and your family enjoyed your time on the water with Captain Luke and Rob. It was a pleasure to have had you all as our guests, and we hope you will join us once again in the future. A hui hou.
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

EMeier
Erlangen, Germany18 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Seeing Kauaii from the sea is a must! The Na Pali coast looks even more incredible if looked at from sea level.

Snorkeling was super fun, jumping off the boat or using a slide made it even better. We even saw a grazing sea turtle, food was very good, and the crew (Ben, Nohiri and Sergio) were more than helpful getting everyone drinks, food, and everything else anyone needed.

Captain Nate steered the boat always in a very safe manner and told interesting stories and facts along the whole ride.

It was shaky at times, which is to be expected in the Pacific. I’d recommend taking Dramamine before the tour if you tend to get seasick.

We did the afternoon tour, so we did not see any Dolphins - better chances in the morning - but we were treated to a fantastic and romantic Kauaii sunset in return.

100% recommended. We will go with this outfitter again when we are back on Kawaii.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for choosing Blue Dolphin Charters for your NaPali Coast experience. We couldn't be happier to read how much you enjoyed your time on the water with Captain Nate and crew, especially snorkeling! The well-being of our passengers is always our top priority, so we truly appreciate you spreading the word about motion sickness with our future guests. We offer a wide variety of motion sickness remedies in our retail space for purchase prior to the tour, and we recommend that any of our guests who have a predisposition for motion sickness take precautionary measures. Mahalo for recommending Blue Dolphin Charters, we hope you will join us once again the next time you are on Kauai. A hui hou!
Written July 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

WATraveler9
Seattle, WA3 contributions
Feb 2023
We went on a Napali sunset dinner cruise on 2/2/23. We were worried a bit due to threatening weather, but as it turned out, other than a bit of rain en route, the sun came out by the time we got to the most scenic parts. I think we had the cream of the crop in terms of our crew, led by Captain Elia. In between expertly driving the boat and a great music playlist, he narrated quite an interesting and entertaining description of the route, what we were seeing, and the history and stories behind it all. Very impressive! The rest of the crew was professional, very attentive, helpful, safety-conscious, great servers, and great photographers. We thought we got the ultimate two-fer because we ended up seeing a lot of whales in addition to the Napali scenery, drinks, and dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and recommend it highly.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for joining us on the NaPali Coast Sunset Dinner Cruise and taking the time to share this review of your experience. Rain or shine, our crew is dedicated to making sure each tour is safe, fun, and comfortable for all on board, and strives to provide, "Above and Beyond" customer service, so we were pleased to read that you experienced just that with Captain Elia, Ruby, and Luke R. We were delighted to read how much you enjoyed everything about your tour from the beautiful scenery of the NaPali Coast and your encounters with Humpback Whales, to your Luau-Style Dinner and beverage services. We hope this tour will be a wonderful memory for you to look back upon for years to come. Mahalo nui loa for recommending Blue Dolphin Charters. Aloha!
Written February 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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