Under the Waterfall

Kaua’i Sea Riders offers a discount rate for teenagers for the summer Na Pali Charters.

As a Mom of 3 I realize that traveling with the entourage can be stressful and expensive! In our normal busy lives it is hard to get everyone on the same page. So when you are visiting the Hawaiian Islands in summer with the family, check out Kaua’i's Na Pali Coast by Zodiac with Captain Tara and crew! This adventure on the ocean will surely get your kids to smile!

The above photo is of Bree, a recent High School graduate, who was lovin’ this vacation with her Mom (Melissa), Dad (Joe) and siblings Dean and Miranda.

Due to rising fuel costs, we will have to raise our rates after June 30, 2011 – so take advantage of our spring special of $125 for adults ; $115 for Teens (ages 13-18) and $105 for children (5 – 12). We love  families and know this NaPali Coast tour will be a cherished memory that will last you and your family a lifetime!  Group rates and Private charters are also available.

We depart from Kikiaola Boat Harbor in Waimea; a shorter distance than from other harbors and as a result we spend more time exploring and snorkeling on the remote Na Pali Coast.

Experience this spectacular shoreline, sea caves, waterfalls and exotic sea life from our 24′ foot Zodiac “Hurricane” known for it’s safe and smooth ride.   And of course, don’t forget that our “3 Hour Tour” – our popular South Shore Kauai Snorkel tour is available year-round, for those who want to spend more time in the water snorkeling than on the boat traveling to the NaPali Coast.

Jon Winsley: Sea Engineering/ Oah'u

Seariders Helps Deploy Oceanographic Meter

Sea Riders was sub-contracted to Sea Engineering a company which specializes in coastal engineering, geophysical surveys, oceanographic and environmental studies, as well as marine waterfront construction and industrial diving.  We assisted in deploying a Oceanographic meter.  I Love anything science!  Jon and Chris are great divers and easy to work with! Will be surfacing meter periodically this year to obtain wave and current data that is on memory card. Awesome technology!

The NaPali Snorkeling Season is Coming to An End…

We have moved down to the Southshore to swim on the “reef of abundance” with the Sea Turtles and tropical fish.   The Na Pali is getting frisky, with swells which makes for murky snorkeling.  We did our last Sea Cave excursion, snorkel, this week on the Na Pali and an early season North Swell is coming in this weekend 10+feet!!  On  Sundays’ South Shore Snorkel we were blessed with five Dolphins swimming under us as we snorkeled as well as Honu (turtles) -  a fleeting moment that will live forever in the hearts and memories of those experienced it!

Night Diving for Lobsters…

The crew of Kauai Seariders and I have been night diving for lobsters for sustainability and to share with friends.  Lobster season opened on September 1st in Hawaii.  The Spiny Lobster will molt and mate during summer months. The season includes the months that have an “R” in their name.  Diving at night is a blast!  I think I like to catch them more than eat them if that is possible. It is illegal to spear these crustaceans, because you may inadvertently kill a female with eggs.   So we grab them by hand, staying away from the “girls” and take home only the big ones.

The Humpback Whales are Coming Soon!

I’ve also been spending time catching up on paperwork and research that was neglected during our busy summer NaPali Tour season. Bet you can’t guess what I am concentrating on now?  Humpback Whales – of Course! There is new research on Acoustic Monitoring of Whales to review, big thanks to all the whale researchers who provide us with this new data!  We’ll look forward to the arrival of the Humpback Whales from Alaska sometime in the months of November and December…

Na Pali Coast

“Tara, we just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful Napali Coast snorkel trip. Your efforts to focus on our interests was truly appreciated.  I was thrilled to be able to see the Spinner dolphins, Monk seals, Brown Boobies, Sea turtles, and all the tropical fish.  It was a biologist’s dream come true.  Wishing you a great summer season.” –Karen and Tony Santiago

NOW is the time to cruise and Snorkel Kauai’s NaPali Coast.   The Na Pali is gorgeous right now -  Sea Caves, Waterfalls, Spinner Dolphin and the rain of winter making the Sea Cliffs an emerald green!

Kaua’i Sea Riders is also monitoring and assisting in the tagging of a new Hawaiian Monk Seal Pup at Miloli’i beach, the oldest fishing village on the Na Pali Coast- What an awesome and remote location for the birth of this endangered species! Please come out with us and enjoy a unique and personal experience!

Seating is limited so please call for reservations:

(808) 332-RAFT (7238)

At Kaua’i Sea Riders we always seek the rare and unusual in small personalized groups. Nature runs the show and we never know what to expect! Looking forward to a great Summer Na Pali Season and continuing to explore the reefs around the Southshore on our 3 Hour Southshore Adventure.

Here’s a sampling of the comments we received this season…

“Dear Tara, thank you so much for this breathtaking experience. You and your friends, the whales, touched our heart. We will remember this special moment for our whole life. You are really a “Whale Whisperer”! –Bettina and Herwig from Austria

“Thank you for your precious information about whales and your excellent support around our whale-research for the Austrian magazine “Maxima”! Now we have the best facts and pictures we could get!” –Bettina (author) and Herwig (photographer)

“No better weather on the planet and epic fish and turtles- memories for a lifetime – Thankyou!!!” – Rich and Family, NY, NY

“Capt. Tara & Team – I want to thank you for the wonderful experience of snorkeling with you for three days this past week. While my husband was in meetings and I was snorkeling he took great comfort in knowing I was safe during my adventure with the Kauai Sea Riders.  He looked forward to hearing what I learned from Capt. Tara and saw during the morning snorkel adventure.   Thank you again.” – Anastasha Lynn, Tucson, AZ

“Thanks so much. We had an absolutely fantastic time. Your expertise and the attitude of your crew made the trip most memorable. We are now home and we will highly recommend you to others who come to Kauai.” –Jeff Klein

The underside of a Whales’ Tail is unique to each individual, hence a modern way of tagging and counting the North Pacific Humpback Whales is done through digital photography.  Our Presidents Day Charter Passengers had a rare and close encounter and I would like to share these Humback whale visions from Alexa Boyes.  Mahalo Alexa!

Aetobatus narinari

Yesterday,  the passengers and crew on our 3 hour Kauai  Southshore Snorkel Tour had a rare treat and vision!

Two large “Hihimanu” or Spotted Eagle Rays swam close by. They were 4-6 feet across and looked like ancient underwater pterodactyl. Viewing these wild creatures “flying” through the Ocean with a diving mask was a highlight of the passengers vacation and this Marine Biologists’ month!

This type of Ray has to constantly swim and is easily recognized by it’s bright white spots and long tail. They have between 2 and 5 stinging barbs at the base, which are venomous but only used for defense. I haven’t ever heard this species ever injuring a Snorkeler or SCUBA Diver in Hawai’i.

Unlike Manta Ray, who use their cephalic fins like scoops to eat plankton on or near the surface, the Eagle Rays have a shovel-like mouth that can exert hundreds of pounds of pressure to eat mollusks or shells. Their excellent sensory system allows this animal to “see” several feet down under the sand and commence digging.

We will be on the lookout at this Dive Site for the Eagle Rays and as always, on our Kauai Sea Rider Adventures– Seeking the Rare and Unusual Marine Life!