If you ever visit the magnificent island of Kauai, make sure that seeing the Ne Pali coast is on your list of things to do. Its sheer splendor will leave a lasting impression.
Nepali Pirates
As I write this, I’m still sore from the boat ride, but boy, was it worth it! Nepali Pirates offers a fun day cruise up the Na Pali coast, full of thrills and spectacular beauty. The trip took about 5 hours and included a bouncy ride on their Zodiac, snorkeling, and snacks.
Paradise
Many famous films have been shot on the Ne Pali coast, including Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s easy to see why. The Ne Pali coast is simply paradise. Lush green valleys and huge waterfalls sit beside gorgeous sandy beaches and incredible coral reefs. Layers of colors fill the landscape, including red rock, shades of green from the massive rain forest, black lava rock, soft beige sand, and clear turquoise sea water.
The boat tour can be rough, but the big swells are also a lot of fun! Our captain expertly maneuvered us inside several cool and dark sea caves. We watched a couple of pods of dolphins play in the waters around us, and we spotted several sea turtles throughout the day. We also got to go snorkeling for about an hour in the shallow reef just offshore, and we marveled at the schools of colorful fish. Our guide, Marty, was born and raised on the island of Kauai and taught us a bit about the aloha culture of the Hawaiian people.
Air Ventures Hawaii
The next day, my daughter and I climbed aboard a small plane with four other people for a one-hour flight over the entire island with Air Ventures Hawaii. Once we secured our seat belts and put on our earphones, we were ready for takeoff. Again, parts of the flight were a little bumpy due to the constantly changing weather on the island. One woman in our party got a little air sick, so it might not be the tour for you if you are prone to motion sickness.
We flew over Waimea Canyon, sugarcane fields, and a giant coffee plantation. We watched a large field fire and enjoyed looking down at magnificent rainbows. I was astonished at the island’s sheer size and the unexpected variety of the geography. One side of the island is very desert-like, while the other is one of the wettest areas on the planet, averaging over a couple of inches of rain per day. Indeed, it rained every day during my trip, but the showers moved through pretty quickly. Wait ten minutes; it will probably be hot and sunny again soon.
Seeing the Ne Pali coast by boat and airplane was fascinating. Each perspective offers something unique. But one thing is for sure: regardless of how you see it, it is breathtakingly beautiful and looks like heaven on earth.