Makana Charters
About
Makana Charters (also marketed as Makana Charters & Tours) is a Native Hawaiian, family-owned boat tour operator based on the west side of Kauaʻi that sells Na Pali Coast sightseeing, snorkeling, dolphin/whale watching and private charter experiences directly to consumers. The company operates a small fleet of custom-built powered catamarans ranging in size in passenger capacity from 36 to 16; tours run about 4.5–5 hours and commonly include sea-cave exploration, snorkeling gear, deli lunches and local drinks.
Makana emphasizes cultural interpretation — “cultural captains” who share Hawaiian history and local knowledge — and aims for smaller-group, higher-touch experiences that appeal to families, photographers, and travelers seeking an authentic local narration of the Na Pali coastline.
From a scale perspective, Makana presents itself as a highly-reviewed local operator: the consumer site and public profiles reference more than 11,000 Google reviews at 4.9 stars and a very high TripAdvisor rating (4.8–4.9 with several thousand reviews and multiple Traveler’s Choice/awards). The company lists an office/departure address in Waimea, Kauai (4516 Alawai Road, Waimea, HI 96796) and a local phone number. Booking is done directly through their website.
For suppliers/operators assessing Makana from a trade perspective: Makana is primarily a direct operator/reseller of its own boat tours rather than a multi-operator marketplace.
Products
Na Pali Coast Small-Group Tour - Leialoha Experience
Makana Charters is owned and run by a Native Hawaiian family whose line on Kauai goes back 200 years. We welcome the new
Makana Charters
Na Pali Coast Small-Group Tour - Seiko Catamarans
Makana Charters is owned and run by a Native Hawaiian family whose line on Kauai goes back 200 years. The Seikos 1 & 2 a
Makana Charters
Na Pali Coast Family Tour - Na Pali Kai III
Makana Charters is owned and run by a Native Hawaiian family whose line on Kauai goes back 200 years. The Na Pali Kai II
Makana Charters
NaPali Coast Boat Tour Kauai Experience
Join a thrilling adventure along Kauai’s legendary Na Pali Coast aboard the Amelia K! This family-operated catamaran tou
Makana ChartersNa Pali Coast Tour - Amelia K
Makana Charters is owned and run by a Native Hawaiian family whose line on Kauai goes back 200 years. The Amelia K is ou
Makana ChartersReviews
Captain Rhiannon & Jay were awesome. They told us stories about the landmarks up & down the Na’pali coast. We had the best conditions the ocean was calm it was warm & the water was clear. We stopped to snorkel & eat lunch for 1 hour. Most other tours I’ve been on only stop for a half hour. It felt very relaxing. We were not rushed. On other tours, I felt like I only had time to snorkel and then have to eat my lunch when we’re underway on the way back. The sandwiches were delicious. They had a cooler full of ice, cold drinks, and water. They stopped several times to allow guests to take photographs of iconic areas. I felt very well taken care of and safe. Captain Rhiannon and Jay were engaging with the guests, but not too much. They were informative in a casual friendly way. I highly recommend Makana Charters. Even if you have to drive a little further, it’s totally worth it. I live in Kilauea and left my house at 6:00am. I arrived 10 minutes before the 7:30 check in. They are very organized and professional. Everything went very smoothly. I typically go out on a tour 1 to 3 times a year. I’ve been out with 3 of the most popular tour companies on island. I go every year for my birthday in July. And I always take friends & family when they visit. Makana Charters makes you feel like Ohana. After the amazing tour I usually go to the beach house for sunset. Sadly the beach house was destroyed by Lowell but I hear they are rebuilding. I can’t wait to go out with Makana Charters again & go to the new Beach House. Mahalo nui loa Makana Charters! I have so many fun memories with friends & family on your tours!
We had an amazing time on our Nā Pali Coast boat tour with Captain Dave and Elijah! They were both incredibly personable, friendly, and made us feel comfortable from the very beginning. They went above and beyond to make the experience special and truly made it feel like we were all one big family. On the way to the Nā Pali Coast, they even slowed down when we spotted dolphins so we could enjoy the moment. They also went back to retrieve someone’s hat that had blown away — little things like that really showed how much they cared about everyone on the boat. The entire experience was fun, relaxing, and memorable. Captain Dave and Elijah were fantastic hosts, and we couldn’t have asked for a better crew. We would definitely use them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a Nā Pali Coast boat tour! 🌊🐬🤙
It was fantastic speed boating experience for all of us about 5 hours tour with a great, well experienced and caring Crews. We enjoyed snorkeling and the sightseeings. Keep doing great work. Thanks.