Makana Charters adds Leialoha to Na Pali Coast fleet for summer 2026

Leialoha has joined Makana Charters and Tours’ Nāpali Coast fleet as the company runs its full summer schedule of morning snorkeling trips, afternoon departures and sunset cruises along Kauai’s west side. The addition lands in the middle of one of Hawaii’s busiest tourism windows, when small-group catamaran seats are at a premium and the coastline’s conditions are at their most appealing.

The new vessel is a 36-foot power catamaran built for regular small-group departures. Makana Charters says Leialoha carries up to 18 passengers, which puts it at the intimate end of the charter market, where fewer guests can mean more room on deck, easier movement for photos and a less crowded feel along the cliffs. The company lists the trips at 4.5 to 5 hours and includes an onboard restroom, deli lunch, snacks, mixed soft drinks and snorkel gear. Adult tickets are priced at $219, with children at $189, and the boat is set for ages 9 and up.

That mix of size and itinerary matters on the Nāpali Coast, where summer usually brings the steadiest boating weather. Hawaii travel guidance says Kauai’s dry season runs from May through October and is generally calmer, a better fit for snorkeling and open-water cruising than the rougher months. The state also says the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park is one of the world’s most recognizable coastlines and that, aside from hiking, the only legal way to reach shore areas there is by boat. Commercial boat drop-offs and pick-ups at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas are not legal unless a special use permit is in place.

Makana Charters is using that reality to sharpen its appeal. The company says it is Native Hawaiian-owned and family-owned, with a family history on Kauai dating to the early 1800s and more than 200 years tied to sharing the Nāpali Coast. It says Leialoha continues the legacy of Liko Kauai Cruises and joins a fleet that also includes Na Pali Kai III, Amelia K, Seiko 1, Seiko 2 and Makana.

The company says most of its boats leave from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha, which it describes as closer to the Nāpali Coast than Port Allen, a small but important advantage when every minute counts on a five-hour run. Makana Charters also says it has more than 10,000 five-star reviews, a number that helps explain why a smaller catamaran with better sightlines and less time in transit can stand out in a crowded charter market. Leialoha adds another tight, passenger-friendly option to a coast where the boat is part of the experience, not just the ride to it.