Captain Andy's Kauai Raft Tour

While in Kauai we were fortunate enough to check out Captain Andy's Na Pali Coastline Rafting Tours. This awesome tour took us on one of Captain Andy's Zodiac Rafts to view the rugged coastline of the Na Pali coast located on the North Shore of Kauai, experiencing spinner dolphins, picturesque waterfalls, snorkeling pristine coral reefs, navigating through sea caves, and viewing sea cliffs rising 3,000 feet straight up from the beach. 

The tour starts out of the Port Allen Small Boat Harbor located on the way to Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific). Once the boat left the harbor it was not long until we encountered a pod of spinner dolphins, jumping, spinning and cruising along side the boat as we made our way up the NaPali Coastline. 

What made this tour so much fun and what was really an unexpected surprise was when we blasted full throttle straight into an enormous sea cave snaking and winding through the rouged Na Pali coastline. I don't know of to many tours that would take people in zodiac boat full speed into a sea cave, dipping under gushing waterfalls, around turns in the dark all while ocean waves are pumping in and out of sea caves. This might sound kind of crazy and dangerous but the crew was extremely cautious and wouldn't just take off into a cave without making sure their timing with ocean was perfect. I felt completely safe the whole time and could tell the crew knew what they were doing and knew the dangerous spots to look out for.

This sea cave had a beautiful waterfall with a ray of light shooting into the cave that would light up the entire cave causing the blue turquoise ocean water to sparkle. 

Amazing view from the Zodiac of the rainbow starting to arch over the NaPali Coastline

Next we made it to the ancient Hawaiian fishing village of Nualolo Kai. By this time I was glad to jump into the ocean to enjoy some snorkeling, checking out all the remarkable marine life as well as this giant Green Sea Turtle swimming through the reef.  

Here is a nice view of our zodiac from the Ancient Hawaiian fishing village getting ready to have a nice picnic after a long hard day of rafting and snorkeling.

After lots of snorkeling and working up an appetite it was time to to dig in and eat. The crew prepared this awesome lunch that included Terriyaki Chicken, Pig, Salad, and Desert. The lunch alone was worth the price of admission for the trip. 

After lunch we took a small hike through the ancient Hawaiian fishing village to see how the Hawaiians used to hunt, fish and live. The village was perfectly fortified by giant 4,000 foot high sea cliffs that surrounded the entire area. Looking up the cliffs you could see that the water line was 50 feet up from the beach where the waves reach in the winter months. 

At first glance this beach looks like an empty beach with some rocks but after taking a closer look we notice the whole beach was covered with giant sea turtles. I think I counted more 20 while Lucy counted 80 (I think she also counted the rocks). According to our crew on days where you could count more than 80 that was good indicator that tiger sharks are swimming nearby (scary stuff). 

Cool Shells found while snorkeling!

Time to get back into the boat to check out more coastline.  

Here is a view of Honopu Arch which is a natural arch spanning 145 feet in width and 60  feet in height. This is a natural bridge with a waterfall on the other side that forms a stream flowing through the opening. The beach is an isolated beach which is totally inaccessible by land and unfortunately for us commercial tours are prohibited to land on the beach. 

Another remarkable view of the coastline and waterfall. 

View of a nice waterfall in the distance while exiting the sea cave.

Captain Andy's guides did an amazing job sharing the history of the ancient Hawaiians that once inhabited this wild coastline. They made sure everyone was safe and that we were having a great time. I highly recommend this tour to anyone traveling to Kauai it is one the best ways to see this remarkable coastline. I am thankful to Captain Andy and his crew and hope to return one day in the near future. I highly recommend Captain Andy's tours and have to say hands down that the North Shore of Kauai has to be the most amazing coastline on planet earth and is a must see for everyone.

Our last Kauai sunset of the trip! 

My GoPro Video of Kauai Trip

My GoPro Video of Captain Andy's Tour

Queens Bath Natures Hot Tub

Natures vary own solar powered hot tub Queens Bath is located on the North Shore of Kauai in the upscale neighborhood of Princeville near Hanalei Bay. 

Queens Bath

The trail to the bath is an easy 10 minute walk along a stream surrounded by picturesque waterfalls and guava trees. Eventually, you arrive at the end of the trail and the beginning of the lava rock. Once you make it to this point you should notice a warning carved into a slab of wood explaining about the many deaths and drownings that occur at the bath.  I suggest to never turn your back on the ocean since many of these drownings occur due to large rogue waves hitting unsuspecting tourist off the lava rock and into the rough ocean current. After the warning sign keep proceeding and you should notice the lava shelf fall directly into the breaking waves. At this point you will need to keep walking along the rock wall about a quarter mile towards the direction of Hanalei Bay until you reach the giant tidal pool. 

Make sure to bring your snorkel so you can check out the many varieties of tropical fish that inhabit the salt water bath. While I was there I saw a cool octopus, some colorful shrimp and various fish all living in the massive tidal pool.  

Presenting the Bath

When waves hit the massive rock wall, salt water spills over the black lava rocks to constantly refresh the bath. This means you will have your very own solar-powered Hawaiian hot tub to relax and swim in just as the ancient royal Hawaiians did back in the day.

Natures hot tub

Chica chillin at the bath

Octopus

Checking out a cool octopus hiding out in the bath probably waiting for all the tourist such as myself to leave.

GoPro Shot of Lucy on the trail

I could smell the sulfur in the air from the black jagged lava rocks that surround Queens Bath. 

Waterfall in the background

Queens Bath is a must see so I suggest to arrive as early as possible to find parking. The small lot tends to fill up quickly and there isn't many places to park. 

GoPro Video I made of Queens Bath

Professional Video of Queens Bath found on Youtube