Nāpali Coast Dinner Cruise in Kauai with Captain Andy’s: Our Experience
You can’t visit Kauai for 7 days without a cruise or snorkel trip to see the amazing Nāpali Coast! Picture yourself cruising the Pacific on a catamaran with an epic sunset dinner. As you sail along, the backdrop of the breathtaking Nāpali Coast’s towering green cliffs washed in golden light comes into view. This is paradise on Earth!
There are a few Nāpali Coast Dinner Cruise options in Kauai, but we loved our adventure with Captain Andy’s! Learn more about our experience below and see why you should also book this amazing dinner cruise!
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Things to Know
- Captain Andy’s departs from the docks in Eleele, Hawaii. This is a 20-minute drive from Poipu.
- Parking is at the corner of Waialo Road and Aka Ula Street near the Port Allen Marina Center.
- Captain Andy’s offers many tours, but this guide focuses on the dinner sunset sail. This is a 4-4.5-hour sightseeing tour that sets sail in the afternoon on a 65′ Star luxury catamaran.
- Restrooms: There are restrooms located on the catamaran.
- Food: The dinner sunset cruise includes a delicious, cooked-to-order dinner!
- You’ll sail back after dinner and arrive just after sunset (in the summer).
- You may get wet on this cruise from the waves or water blown up by the wind. The dress code is comfortable and casual. Note that once you are on the catamaran, shoes are not permitted.
- If ocean weather is hazardous, Captain Andy’s will contact you as soon as possible to offer a full refund or the option to reschedule.
🌺 Whenever you visit Kauai, please practice mālama by showing care and respect for others, supporting local businesses, and protecting the environment by refraining from littering. Keep Kauai pristine and pick up any trash you encounter. Take the time to learn about Hawaiian culture and spread kindness by paying it forward.
Nāpali Coast Dinner Cruise
First things first! Maybe you are wondering, “Okay great, this is sounding pretty neat, but what is the cost?” As of 2025, the Nāpali Coast Dinner Cruise cost with Captain Andy’s is $245.00 a person (adults). Yes! That is steep, but well worth it in our opinion. Keep reading!
🐬 Get your reservations for this amazing dinner cruise here before they sell out!
Arrive at the parking area near the Port Allen Marina and head to Captain Andy’s HQ to check in and await instructions. As your tour time approaches, the crew will introduce themselves, and you’ll all walk down to the dock as a group. Our tour departed at 3:00 pm with arrival set at 45 minutes before. Make sure you are on time.
When you arrive at the catamaran, store your shoes at the dock and board the boat. Once everyone has boarded, the captain and crew will review important safety information and general information about the dinner cruise.
Then it’s time to set sail! There are multiple options on the boat to sit, stand, or even lounge on the netting of the catamaran. We recommend standing at the railing as you sail along the Nāpali Coast. If you are facing the front of the boat, stand on the right side of the boat for the best views as you sail up the coast!
The crew does a great job making sure everyone is comfortable, but depending on the weather and winds, you may feel some listing of the boat. Just make sure to hold on to your phone tightly while taking pictures because if an unexpected wave hits, you might lose it to the ocean floor. That would be very unfortunate!
➡️ Read next: Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Trail Loop: One of the best hikes along the Nāpali Coast!
Sailing
At first, the captain will sail west before turning north along the coast of Kauai. As you sail, your captain will talk about the history of the area while the other crew members are available for questions or concerns.
One of the most interesting things we learned was about the nearby Pacific Missile Range Facility. It is the only range in the world where submarines, ships, aircraft, and spacecraft can operate and be tracked all at the same time!
If you are lucky, you will also encounter marine wildlife on the cruise! Dolphins are always a playful favorite, and they just might show up to say hello! As you sail north, views of the Nāpali Coast come into view, getting better and better as you travel.
Whale season on Kauai runs from December through March, so depending on when you cruise, you may or may not have a chance at seeing them.
Dinner
As you sail past the breathtaking Nāpali Coast, eventually your captain will turn around and find a spot to anchor the boat. The crew will stop the engines and prepare for dinner service, including appetizers, salad, dinner, dessert, cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages! All of this is included in the trip, which really does make the cost worth it.
The menu is subject to change, but our dinner service included:
- Crostini and shrimp seafood appetizers.
- A fresh locally sourced mixed green salad with carrots, tomatoes, and feta cheese with a vinaigrette dressing.
- Filet mignon, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables.
- Key lime cheesecake for dessert.
- All the Sneaky Tikis (YUM!) and other assorted beverages you want, including Maui Brewing Co. beers, wine, seltzer, and soft drinks. It’s an open bar, so be safe!
If you have dietary restrictions, please note this during your reservation, as other dinner menu items can be provided.
Cruise Home
After dinner, it’s time to set sail back to the marina. As you sail south, the golden sunlight washing over the Nāpali Coast provides incredible colors and shadows of this breathtaking landscape. As the sun sets in the distance, grab your coat because it will get chilly.
As you arrive at the marina and disembark, be sure to provide some gratuity to the amazing crew members. They all do such a great job making the Nāpali Coast dinner cruise run smoothly!
🌅 What are you waiting for? Book your dinner cruise now!
Where To Stay Near Poipu
For the second leg of your amazing trip to Kauai, we recommend staying near Poipu. Below are a few top-rated accommodations in south Kauai near Poipu:
- Poipu Kai Resort Condos – This was a perfect home base for us in South Kauai! Condos with private pools and within walking distance to beaches. Book this location now on VRBO. You won’t be disappointed!
- Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club – just steps away from Poipu Beach! Book it right now on Expedia. There is even a fun on-site arcade and game room here.
- Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – A sprawling luxury resort with a lava-rock river pool, waterslide, and saltwater lagoon. This one is pricey, but check it out on Booking.com. This one is super close to the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail.
- Ko’a Kea Resort On Poipu Beach – an intimate resort on a prime beachfront spot on Kauai’s south shore. Reserve your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Aston At Poipu Kai – a top-rated beach location and outdoor pool. Walk to nearby Poipu and Shipwreck Beaches to watch the sunset every night. Check it out on Expedia or Booking.com.
Final Thoughts
What an amazing excursion! Again, the cost of this Nāpali Coast dinner cruise is steep, but we think it’s well worth it. To have a chef-prepared dinner and open bar with the amazing Nāpali Coast as a backdrop – what more could you ask for?
The drinks were great, the food was good, and the crew was very helpful and accommodating to everyone on the cruise. They did an outstanding job educating us about the historical and cultural significance of the beautiful island of Kauai.
On our return trip after dinner, dolphins came up for a swim alongside the boat, which was a welcome sight! As we cruised toward the harbor, an amazing sunset was the icing on the cake. Are you sold on this trip yet? We certainly hope so. Book your trip here!
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