Na Pali Boat Tour vs. Heli Tour with young kids

Hello! We are going to Kauai for the first time next week. I was originally planning on spending a day doing a Na Pali Boat Tour. I hadn%26#39;t done a lot of research yet, but I was thinking of Kauai Sea Tours because they had afternoon Catamaran tours with snorkeling and dinner.

However, a post from the last week got me thinking that this might not be a great idea with our 5 1/2 and 3 year olds. The long tour might get boring for them (as someone mentioned, kids are less entranced by scenery), we might have seasickness problems (and I%26#39;m not sure if any medicine is safe for those ages), and the kids might not be able to handle the snorkeling part (swimming is fine, breathing under water may not be).

Although I would LOVE to do the Helicopter tour, that%26#39;s a lot of money for us to spend on kids who probably won%26#39;t remember any of it. :)

So, any thoughts on if I%26#39;m second-guessing myself for no reason? Or how young kids do on boat tours vs. heli tours? Or if I do the boat tour, which places are recommended that have similiar amenities (afternoon, snorkle, dinner) to my first thought? Or if you really think I should go for the helicopter tour instead, how do I convince my DH? :)

Thanks! JAGold

Na Pali Boat Tour vs. Heli Tour with young kids

Either way would be a tough choice but it%26#39;s just as easy to get airsick in a coptor as seasick on a boat. We used dramamine when our kids were that age with no ill affects and ginger candy is another option plus riding in the center to the rear of the boat is also a way to minimize the motion. On the boat ride we saw spinner dolphins, sea turtles and plenty of fish and it%26#39;s easier to move around than in a helicoptor.

Na Pali Boat Tour vs. Heli Tour with young kids

JAG...kimg8, just yesterday, posted: ';We hired a babysitter through a service on Kauai, and though a bit expensive, we felt like they did a great job.'; She can likely guide you for that direction in her latest post.

I am thinking that either tour, cruise or heli, is likely to stick in your adult memory but not so much in the kid%26#39;s. It could work out dollar-wise that a babysitter is less expensive than paying for the kid%26#39;s cruise and/or heli rides plus you and your wife will have the freedom to fully enjoy the tours and get your money%26#39;s worth. I have done both and enjoyed each so much. I cannot imagine focusing on anything other than the scenery, but that is me.

This is going to cost a lot of money for tours that your children may not remember. I went to the links at wizardpub.com (where you can order your Ultimate Kauai Guide) and prices for children 2-12 were $99 on Captain Andy and $80 on Liko, did not have time to check others. That was for the morning snorkel cruise.

Sitter might be a better suggestion.

A Na Pali cruise, with snorkeling in deep, open water, is no place for young kids who are experienced snorkelers, much less for those who are beginners. I think the idea of hiring a sitter while you%26#39;re on your boat or helo tour is your best option.

We love taking our kidlets to Hawaii but would never consider taking them on either an ocean boat ride or a helicopter tour. The boat tour sounds especially dangerous if either of them goes into the water. The waves and current along the naPali coastline are unforgiving. The helicopter ride would be a crap shoot. You might get lucky and the kids would enjoy the ride or you might have one or both screaming the entire time.

I think younger kids can take chewable Dramamine but I would ask their doctor if they are under the age of six. I cut the tablets into quarters. Hiring a sitter would be the absolute best option so that you and hubby can truly enjoy yourselves and not worry about an accident or bad reaction.

I would not take a 3-year old on a Napali boat tour. I would consider taking a 5-year old depending upon the child. They can vary widely at that age in their stamina and their willingness to rough it, literally.

On the helicopter tour......personally (and I know this is controversial) I would not consider taking EITHER child. Even the 5-year old probably would not appreciate it. Besides it is expensive and their share of the $$$ could be so better spent elsewhere on them, on something they would really appreciate. I personally am against these tours for many reasons which I won%26#39;t get into here. But that is your call. No matter which your pick, the boat or the helicopter, you should then check into a babysitting service for at least the 3-year old.

We had a 5 year old with us, and most tours required the youngest child to be 10 years old. Some companies will take a 5 year old, but not much younger. Even if it%26#39;s a calm day, they will get bored. I would hire a babysitting service, or do the Heli-ride, which is much shorter. I wouldn%26#39;t take myself on a helicopter, much less my son, but that is my opinion only!

The sitting service was good, and I have NEVER left my son with anyone before, so it was very hard for me. But, he was happy as a clam when I got back, and she made the kids a super healthy organic lunch.