Frequently Asked Questions

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Or choose a topic: Tours, Boats, Bring, Directions, Snorkel, Sea Caves, Sealife, Menu, Weather, Medical

  • Tours

  • What's the difference between the two Na Pali Snorkel Sails?

    The difference in the two snorkel sailing tours is that they are on two different boats, with two different meals. However, they both check in at the same time, at the same place, go to the same location, and are about 5 ½ hours long.

    Our Classic Na Pali Snorkel Picnic Sail is a 5 ½ hour tour on our 55' Gold Coast Catamaran - the Akialoa. It includes a wonderful catered lunch including sandwich with a side and fresh baked cookies for dessert.

    The 5 ½ Hour Star Na Pali Snorkel BBQ Sail is under the heading "65' Star Class Catamarans." These are our newest boats, our 65’ Gold Coast Yachts. The Stars are slightly larger with beautiful floors, tiled bathrooms, granite countertops and a chef onboard—she’s really what you’d picture a yacht to be! We provide a hot BBQ lunch for everyone on the vessel. We also serve freshly made coleslaw and baked beans, and freshly baked cookies for dessert. Both trips are amazing, the Star is just a luxury upgrade!

    tours, snorkeling

  • What's the difference between the two Na Pali Dinner Sails?

    The difference in the two dinner sailing tours is that they are on two different boats, with two different meals. However, they both check in at the same time, at the same place, go to the same location, and are about 4 ½ hours long.

    Our Classic Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail is a 4 hour tour on our 55’ Gold Coast Catamaran — the Akialoa. It includes a wonderful catered, hot dinner with grilled chicken, grilled beef, green salad, rice pilaf, grilled asparagus and cheesecake for dessert.

    The Star Na Pali Dinner Sunset Sail is a 4 hour tour on our 65’ Gold Coast luxury sailing Catamaran. The Star is a slightly larger catamaran with beautiful floors, tiled bathrooms, granite countertops and a chef onboard—she’s really what you’d picture a luxury catamaran to be. We provide a Filet Mignon and Jumbo Shrimp dinner for everyone on the vessel. We also serve green salad, roasted potatoes and seasonal grilled vegetables, and the chef’s dessert choice of the day. Both trips are amazing, the Star is just a luxury upgrade!

    tours, sunset

  • What’s the difference between the catamaran and the rafting boats?

    The catamarans are larger (55’ and 65’) and more stable in the water.You can walk around on the catamaran, and have access to restrooms and shade. The rafts are smaller (24’), faster and enable us to go into sea caves and land on a beach. You cannot walk around on the raft, and they are bouncy, wet, and wild with no restrooms or shade. The vessel is a 24 foot rigid hull inflatable raft. You will be sitting on the inflated sides of the raft, sidesaddle style.

    tours

  • How many people can the rafts hold?

    The 24' rigid hull rafts hold up to 14 people

    tours

  • How many people can the catamarans hold?

    The 65' Star Class Yacht and 55' Gold Coast Catamaran each hold 49 people.

    tours

  • Is one type of boat calmer than the others?

    The catamarans are going to be calmer in the water and smoother sailing, as the rafts are bouncy, wet, and go very fast. For the catamarans, both our 55’ foot vessel and the 65’ foot vessel are the same as far as both being calm and stable in the sea. One catamaran is not better than the other for seasickness - the size does not matter.

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  • What is a ride on the raft like?

    Our rafting tours are great if you are interested in a smaller more adventurous boat tour that goes fast and gets wet. The rafts are much more physical and can be bumpy - you must comply with our medical restrictions to join us on this tour. Please see our medical restrictions below.

    RAFT MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS - Due to the nature of the ride, Capt. Andy’s cannot accommodate people with – pregnancies, bad backs, bad shoulders, recent surgeries, bad hips, bad necks, and bad knees.

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  • Do we get to sail at all?

    Yes, we love to sail! While we need to use motors to get to and from Na Pali Coast, there is almost always great sailing conditions for part of the trip.

    tours

  • How far up the coast do we go?

    We go up as far as conditions permit. Generally, our turnaround point are the caves at Hanakapiai.

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  • Do your trips go to the island of Niihau?

    No. The crossing can be extremely rough in all but ideal conditions and we do not feel the weather is consistent enough to provide enjoyable trips to the island of Niihau.

    tours

  • Does your company do drop off or picks up along Na Pali?

    No. It is illegal for commercial boat companies to drop off or pick up people along Na Pali Coast, so we DO NOT do any drop off or pickups.

    tours

  • Do we stop at a beach?

    Ocean and weather conditions permitting, we stop at a beach, Nu`alolo Kai, on our 6 Hour Na Pali Raft Expedition. We do not stop at a beach on any of our catamaran tours.

    tours

  • Do you run tours every day/are you open every day?

    We run tours every single day - the only day we are closed is December 25th, Christmas Day.

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  • What is the dress code for the dinner sails?

    Casual and comfortable. We recommend bringing a light jacket or a sweater and sunscreen.

    tours

  • Are children allowed?

    Yes, we allow children on our all of tours. Children must be 3 and up for our catamaran tours and 6 and up for our rafting tours.

    tours, infants, newborn, kids

  • What are the age limits for children on each tour?

    On our sailing tours, the age for children is 3-12. On our rafting tours, the age limit is 6-12.

    tours, infants, newborn, kids

  • When do you take payment?

    We take payment at the time of booking.

    tours

  • Is your trip price all inclusive?

    The price of your trip includes everything except gratuity.

    tours, tips

  • What is the cancellation/change policy for your tours?

    Sail Tours
    Receive a full refund when you contact us prior to your tour, at least:

    Groups 1-9: 24 hours
    Groups 10+: 72 hours

    Raft Tours
    Receive a full refund when you contact us prior to your tour, at least:

    Groups 1-7: 24 hours
    Groups 8+: 7 days. If cancelled less than 7 days: 50% of the agreed fare is refundable. If cancelled less than 72 hours: 100% charge will be assessed.

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  • On The Boat

  • Are there lockers on the boat or a safe place to keep my stuff?

    There are no lockers, but there's a large dry covered cabin area on our catamarans.

    boats

  • Can we smoke or vape on the boat?

    No smoking or vaping is allowed on any of our vessels or on the docks.

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  • Will I get wet?

    There is always a chance of getting splashed, especially near the front of the boat. Please ask the captain for the best place to stay dry on our tours.

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  • Will my things get wet?

    We have a large dry covered cabin area on our catamarans, and if you put your things in this area, everything will stay nice and dry. Please ask the Captain and crew to help you locate this area. We provide dry bags for those on our rafting tours.

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  • Will I get service with my phone?

    On our Na Pali catamaran tours, you will have service for about 45 minutes after we leave the dock, then we don’t have any cell phone reception.

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  • Will there be shade on board?

    There is a large covered cabin area with plenty of shade on our catamarans. There is no shade on the rafts.

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  • Can I wear shoes on board?

    We don’t allow any shoes on board unless you have a medical condition and need to wear shoes. Please inform the office staff at check in and captain during boarding if this is the case.

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  • Are there life vests on board? Child size life vests?

    All of our vessels are equipped with adult and child size life vests.

    boats, safety

  • Do we have to wear life vests?

    The State of Hawaii does not require you to wear life vests, but if you would like to, you may.

    boats, safety

  • What to Bring / Can I Bring

  • What should I bring?

    If you are on our morning catamaran snorkel tours, we recommend bringing towels, sunscreen, a camera, and your swimwear, and any medications you may need. Wearing your swimwear underneath your clothing is the easiest.

    If you are on the rafting tours, please wear your swimwear, comfortable clothing over your swimwear, and bring sunscreen and a towel, a camera if you wish, and any medications you may need.

    If you are on our sunset catamaran tours, please dress casually and comfortably, bring a camera, a light jacket or sweater, sunscreen, and any medications you may need. All cameras brought on board are at your own discretion – please be aware of splashing.

    Passengers consuming alcohol must be of legal age and must have valid ID present.

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  • Can I bring a drone?

    No, for safety reasons, we cannot allow passengers to launch and land drones from our vessels. Drones are also not allowed on the beach landing portion of our rafting tours as it is against the park rules of the State of Hawaii.

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  • Can I bring a camera?

    You may bring a camera on board, but please keep in mind that by doing so, you are doing it at your own risk.

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  • Do we need to bring cash on board?

    It is not necessary to bring cash on board.

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  • Do we need to bring our own towels?

    Yes.

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  • Can we bring a bag on board?

    Yes.

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  • Do I need sunscreen? Can I bring spray sunscreen?

    It is highly recommended to wear and bring sunscreen on our tours. We do not allow the spray sunscreen on board any of our vessels as it can make the surfaces of the boats slippery and dangerous. Cream sunscreens are encouraged on board.

    bring, sunblock

  • We are celebrating a birthday/special occasion – can I bring cake, champagne, cupcakes, etc. on board?

    No, but let your Captain know about your special occasion and they will mention it while on tour

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  • Sea Caves

  • Do all raft tours go into caves?

    Yes, when conditions permit safe entry, all raft excursions will tour the caves.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Are there caves the catamarans can go into?

    No - Catamarans can get fairly close to the caves but entry all the way in is not possible.

    sailing, catamarans, caves, sea caves

  • Are there better times of day to enter caves?

    The caves are affected by ground swells and in most cases, the ground swells stay fairly equal throughout the day except when a new swell is either building or declining.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Can rafts always get into caves?

    Not Always. In the summer months cave entry, nose first driving in, is usually possible on a regular basis. In the winter months it is less likely to have complete entry of all caves as the conditions tend to be rougher. While on the water the Captain will determine if it is safe to enter the caves.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Are there caves with waterfalls in them or over the front of them?

    Yes, there are both and it is common to drive right through the waterfall getting everyone soaked.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Are there caves all along the coast and how many can the rafts gain entry on safe days?

    There are 5 main caves. Wai’napanapa (a.k.a. Fertility Waterfall Cave), Puka Lani (a.k.a. Open Ceiling Cave), Na Kalo Wai (a.k.a. Garage Door Cave), Waieahukua (a.k.a. Two Door Cave), and Hooluu (a.k.a. Pirates Cave).

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Can we swim in the caves?

    The caves have become very popular and all kinds of boats use the caves. For your safety we do not swim inside the caves.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Are the cave's dark inside?

    Yes, depending on how far into the cave we are able to explore, they can get dark.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Is there marine life in the caves?

    Yes, we have seen monk seals, turtles, fish and even sharks inside the caves.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Are there times we do not get to all the caves?

    Ideally, we want to show you the entire coast and you would see all the caves on a normal day. On occasions, the conditions get very windy and we decide to turn the boat with the wind at Kalalau - the most scenic area of the coast. If that happens we would not make it to the Two Door and Pirates Caves.

    raft, caves, sea caves

  • Food & Beverage

  • Do you offer vegetarian/vegan/gluten free options?

    Yes, but please call our office to inquire which trip/menu would work best for you, and please inform us of any dietary restrictions, requests, or food allergies.

    food, beverage, meals, menu

  • What time is lunch/dinner served?

    Lunch is served generally around 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Dinner is served generally around 2 ½ - 3 hours after departure. Serving times for lunch on the raft varies.

    food, beverage, meals, menu

  • What time does the bar open?

    Halfway through the tour on our Na Pali Catamaran tours. We do not serve alcohol on the raft tours. Passengers consuming alcohol must be of legal age and must have valid ID present.

    food, beverage, meals, alcohol, menu

  • What kind of beer do you serve? What kind of wine do you serve?

    We only serve alcohol on our catamaran tours. If you are going to consume alcohol you must be of legal age and have a valid picture ID present. The beers served are Stella Artois and Kona Brewing Company’s Longboard Lager. For Wines we serve a Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Malbec.

    food, beverage, meals, alcohol, menu

  • Can I bring food/snacks on board?

    You may bring any type of food or nonalcoholic drinks on board.

    food, beverage, meals, menu

  • Can we bring alcoholic beverages on board?

    We do not allow passengers to bring alcohol on board.

    food, beverage, meals, menu

  • Weather

  • What happens if the weather is bad?

    Our Captains thoroughly check the weather for each tour. If they determine the weather to be hazardous and cancel the tour, we try to contact you as soon as possible to offer a full refund or the option to reschedule. It's important to leave a good contact number or email so we can get a hold of you if we need to.

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  • What happens if it is raining all day?

    Our captains check the weather for each tour, and determine the trip based on their reports. We often have localized passing showers, so it may seem like poor weather where you are, but won’t actually affect our trip in any way. Trust your Captain!

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  • When is your winter season?

    Mid September through mid May.

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  • What’s the weather like in the winter

    At times it can be rough, with strong winds, rain and large surf. At other times during our winter season we have wonderful weather, with little to no surf, calm winds, and beautiful sunshine. Each year is different, and conditions change frequently throughout our winter months. Our captains do a great job monitoring the weather so each trip will be comfortable and fun.

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  • Medical / Health & Well Being / Motion Sickness

  • Are pregnant women allowed?

    We allow pregnant women on our catamaran tours who are less than 26 weeks along. No pregnant women are permitted on our rafting tours.

    medical, health, well being, pregnancy

  • Will I get seasick?

    Each person is different, and we cannot predict if you will become sea sick or not. Chances of getting seasick are higher if you are prone to motion sickness such as car sickness or airsickness. When in doubt, take preventative measures!

    medical, health, well being, motion sickness

  • What can I do to prevent seasickness?

    Take a seasickness preventative beforehand. While on the boat, make sure to have access to fresh air, and make sure you can see the horizon at all times. Also avoid the lower deck area and restrooms if you are feeling ill. Please inform our Captain and crew if you are feeling ill.

    medical, health, well being, motion sickness

  • Do you sell seasickness preventatives?

    Yes we do. We sell ginger products, Bonine (similar to Dramamine), and SeaBands( acupressure wristbands) in our Capt. Andy’s office.

    medical, health, well being, motion sickness

  • What’s the best seasickness preventative?

    There is no proven preventative to be better than the other, but our captains recommend taking Bonine or Dramamine. Ask your doctor what is best for you.

    medical, health, well being, motion sickness

  • Do you sell seasickness preventatives on board?

    No.

    medical, health, well being, motion sickness

  • I use a wheelchair, cane, crutches or a walker. Am I able to use it on a tour?

    Safety is our top priority at Capt Andy’s, and having fun on our tours is next! We want your experience to be comfortable, memorable and of course, fun! Choosing a tour that matches your physical ability is essential to creating an unforgettable experience. Your Captain will determine if it is safe for you to board the vessel and join the tour.

    Our high-adrenaline rafting tours offer no shade or restrooms, and the ride is fast, bumpy and at times physically demanding. Boarding our rafts requires stepping down from the dock approximately two feet onto the inflated side of the raft. Passengers sit on the sides of the raft, hold on tight to a rope while underway, and all passengers must be able to climb a small ladder to board the raft after swimming or snorkeling. We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of a wheelchair, cane, crutches, walker or other assistive devices aboard our rafting tours.

    Prior to boarding our catamarans, all passengers walk approximately ¼ mile from the office to the dock. Walking on our pitching and rolling boat decks during the tour can be considerably more challenging than walking on land, and the decks are not suitable surfaces for assistive walking devices. Should you choose to join a catamaran tour, assistive walking devices will be stored safely and securely on the dock during the tour. We ask passengers with reduced mobility to remain seated while the boat is underway, and please be aware that restrooms are located on a lower deck at the bottom of a ladder.

    Choose a tour that is right for you, and have FUN!

    medical, health, well being

  • Are you able to accommodate passengers that require oxygen tanks?

    A person that requires the use of an oxygen tank is not a good candidate for our adventures.

    medical, health, well being

  • I require an insulin pump - are these ok to bring on board?

    We can accommodate guests with insulin pumps on our catamarans tours but not on our rafts.

    medical, health, well being

  • Are pacemakers allowed on your tours?

    Pacemakers are allowed on our tours, however, the passenger with the pacemaker should be in good enough physical health to travel to a remote location up to two hours from shore or any medical assistance.

    medical, health, well being

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