Cruise passengers ยท Nawiliwili
A shore excursion down two waterfalls
Docking in Nawiliwili? The waterfall rappel starts near Lihue, close to the harbor, and fits inside a port day if you pick the right departure.
Most Kauai shore excursions are a bus ride to a lookout. This one puts you on a rope. You get ground school and a practice wall, then rappel a 30 ft and a 60 ft waterfall in the jungle, with one guide at the top and a second holding a backup line from the pool. No experience needed.
Will it fit my port day?
- Departures: 8:30 am and 1:00 pm, with check-in 15 minutes before. The tour takes about 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on group size.
- Overnight in port: if your ship stays in Nawiliwili overnight, as Norwegian's Pride of America usually does, the 1:00 pm departure on arrival day or the 8:30 am departure the next morning both leave plenty of room.
- One day in port: take the 8:30 am departure only if your ship is cleared early and all aboard is well into the afternoon. Leave yourself at least an hour after the tour to change and get back.
- Getting there: check-in is about 10 minutes' drive from the harbor, and the exact spot is sent with your booking. Plan on a taxi, rideshare or rental car; we don't run a harbor shuttle.
We don't control ship schedules or traffic, so we can't promise to get you back before all aboard. Send us your ship and dates when you book and we'll tell you honestly whether the timing works.
What the tour is like
- Check in and gear up. Harness, helmet and water shoes are fitted for you.
- Ground school. A safety briefing and one practice rappel on a small dry wall.
- The 30 ft waterfall. A short jungle hike to your first rappel through the water.
- The 60 ft waterfall. Along the stream to the big one.
- Hike out. About half a mile round trip in all, on a muddy jungle trail.
What to bring off the ship
- Clothes that can get wet, and a dry change for the ride back
- A towel, sunscreen and bug spray
- Your phone, if you like: we provide dry bags
- Water shoes, harness, helmet and all rope gear are included
Price and who can go
$279 per person plus 4.712% Hawaii tax, and FareHarbor adds a 6% booking fee at checkout. Ages 10 and up, 70 to 250 lbs, and able to walk a muddy jungle trail. Traveling with a group from the ship? A private tour gives you the whole departure for up to 8 guests.
Friends who'd rather watch can hike in with you and swim below the falls as spectators for $95 per person plus tax.
Questions from cruise passengers
How far is the tour from Nawiliwili Harbor?
About 10 minutes by car. The exact check-in spot near Lihue is sent with your booking.
Do you pick up at the ship?
No. Take a taxi, rideshare or rental car to check-in.
Can you guarantee I'm back before all aboard?
No one can promise that for an independent excursion. Tell us your ship and port times and we'll tell you which departure fits, or whether it's too tight.
What if it rains on my port day?
Rain is usually fine. If there's any flash-flood risk we cancel, and you get a full refund since a cruise day can't be rescheduled. Our weather policy.
Do I need experience?
No. Most guests have never rappelled before.