Wanderlustking68
30 May 2025
This trip is amazing! A must do in Kauai
The scenery is breathtaking, the crew are a blast and the food was good.
Snorkeling in a crater is stunning the ride back can be a bit rough don’t sit at the back like o did we got soaked. But when you get to the Na’pali coast it is so worth it.
We recently did the Holo Holo 7-Hour Super Tour, and I want to start by saying the captain and crew were absolutely amazing. They worked hard all day to keep things fun, safe, and as comfortable as possible, and their professionalism was top-notch.
For about 80% of people, this trip will likely be an unforgettable, beautiful experience.
Before the tour even begins, the captain gives a detailed briefing, explaining the nature of the ride, the potential for rough seas, and how physically demanding the trip can be. They even offer anyone the chance to opt out for a full refund—which I think is a rare and admirable policy. That said, no one took the offer, and I’m writing this review to echo the captain’s warnings and emphasize that the reality is, frankly, even rougher than described.
That said, this tour is not for everyone, and it's important to really understand what you're getting into before you board. I've been deep sea fishing in rough water many times without taking Dramamine and have never felt seasick—until this trip. I didn’t get sick, but I struggled through about 5.5 hours of a 7-hour rollercoaster ride. Several passengers did get sick, and the crew handled it compassionately and efficiently. Still, for those individuals—and those around them—it made for a very tough day.
If you're prone to motion sickness, have any mobility issues, or aren’t very physically fit, this tour is not for you. The constant bouncing of the boat makes it hard to move around safely, and there’s really no escape from the motion. The only place to get away from the seasick crowd is at the front of the boat, where you'll be repeatedly soaked as the boat crashes through waves.
To be clear, the scenery is spectacular—we saw spinner dolphins, humpback whales, a monk seal, and the breathtaking Na Pali Coast. Four of the eight people in our family group absolutely loved it. But for me, it just wasn't worth an entire day of discomfort, and I wouldn’t do it again under similar ocean conditions.
If beaches post colored flags to warn about dangerous waves and currents, maybe boat tours should have a similar rating system for ocean conditions. If it’s a “yellow” or “red” day, and you’re not in peak physical shape or you’re sensitive to motion, I’d strongly recommend skipping this tour.
Great tour! Read that we might want to go from the North shore and originally booked with a company there, but they cancelled us 4 days before- and lucky us!! Port Allen departure was so much better!! Much more convenient for us, got a longer boat ride and better snorkeling location. We saw plenty of Na Pali! The boat ride was lovely, the food much exceeded expectations (I am not a sandwich person, but they had delicious bread and the makings for a great salad too!) . Snorkeling was amazing right off a reef- saw tons of fish, a seal, and a shark. Highly recommend.