Niihau & Napali Super Snorkel — Holo Holo Charters
Day 3 of 14 · Week 1
04
August 2026
Tuesday
📋 Do Before You Leave
Count all 10 Holo Holo gift cards from Costco before leaving — total trip cost $1,016.16 ($1,000 in cards + $16.16 on credit card).
Take motion sickness medication the night before AND morning of — 17 miles of open ocean crossing the Kaulakahi Channel.
Leave Poipu by 5:00 AM sharp — it's a ~45 min drive to Port Allen, check-in is 6:00 AM.
Check in inside Port Allen Marina Center by 6:00 AM — park in the designated gravel lot on the right just past the Marina Center.
⚠ Important Reminders
Tour route and snorkel destinations confirmed on the day based on conditions — weather cancellations are fully refundable.
Continental breakfast is provided on the boat — keep the villa pre-departure snack very light.
Key
Day-specific — not your standard beach kit
Standard — bring as usual
📋Reservations & Bookings
Holo Holo Charters — boat tour confirmation essential
Booking #345969303 · 3 Adults · Check-in 6:45 AM · Port Allen Office, 4353 Waialo Rd, Ele'ele · (808) 335-0815 · Weather cancellations fully refundable.
Tidepools — dinner reservation
✅ Confirmed via OpenTable · 6:15 PM · Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa · Smart casual attire.
🚢Boat Tour Essentials
Holo Holo gift cards (all 10 from Costco) essential
Booking #345969303 · 3 Adults · Covers most of the $1,016.16 total · Put remaining $16.16 on a credit card.
Motion sickness medication essential
Take night before AND morning of. 17 miles of open ocean in the Kaulakahi Channel — conditions can range from calm to rough.
Reef-safe sunscreen (no spray-on)
Complimentary sunscreen option on board but bring your own. No aerosol/spray sunscreen permitted.
Windbreaker or light rain jacket
Open ocean, sea spray, and channel winds even on clear days.
Cash for crew tip cash
Gratuity not included in the booking — tip the crew if they take good care of you.
Lori's Snorkel Bob's rental gear essential
Picked up Aug 2 — grab from the villa before the 5:00 AM departure.
Hair ties
7-hour boat ride with constant wind, plus snorkel mask use — pack a spare.
Lip balm with SPF
7 hours of sun, wind, and salt spray will destroy your lips.
Long-sleeve UV shirt / rashguard
Sun protection while snorkeling at Niihau / Lehua Crater and on the open boat deck.
Ginger candies / chewables
Backup for seasickness during the 17-mile Kaulakahi Channel crossing.
🏖️Beach & Water
Swimsuit
Beach towel
Needed for snorkel stop at Niihau/Lehua Crater.
Mask & Snorkel bring your own
Tour provides equipment, but bring your own mask and snorkel for a better fit and more comfortable experience at Niihau/Lehua Crater.
Sandals
Shoes are removed before boarding; wear sandals for easy on/off. No bare feet on the dock.
River shoes
For afternoon CYOA options — Koloa Landing reef entry, Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail, or Lawa'i Beach rocky entry.
Beach bag
Organize gear for the boat and afternoon CYOA — keep wet/dry separated.
👟Clothing & Sun Protection
Sun-protective or quick-dry shirt
On the boat deck for 7 hours.
Hat / sun hat
Sunglasses essential
Resort casual outfit for Tidepools
6:15 PM dinner at the Grand Hyatt — open-air over koi lagoons. Quick change after returning from the boat ~1:00 PM and showering off salt water. A light layer is useful since the open-air seating can get breezy.
🥤Food & Drink
Reusable water bottle
Free beverages all day on the boat, but bring your own bottle.
Light pre-departure snack for villa
Continental breakfast is served on the boat; villa breakfast should be minimal.
🎒Gear & Extras
Underwater camera / GoPro
Visibility at Niihau can exceed 100 feet. Do not miss this.
DSLR Camera (Canon 50D) essential
Tripod
Phone / portable battery
Personal medications
Bring any personal prescriptions / supplements needed on the boat.
Dry bag for valuables essential
Protect phone, wallet, keys, and credit card from sea spray on the 7-hour boat trip.
Wallet / ID / credit card essential
Credit card needed for the remaining $16.16 on the Holo Holo booking and for the Tidepools dinner.