2006-Feb. 11---Sunset cruise:


After all our "guests" had left, we had another day or 2 by ourselves. Since we had toured Kauai Coast Resort (as part of the deal for the rate I got for Tim and FAith's stay there), we had some activity money to spend. I still wanted to get a good view of the Napali Coast from a boat, so we booked another catamaran tour (our 3rd, so far). This time we went with the sunset cruise figuring the light on the Napali would be better then in the morning (when the sun rises over the mountains and washes them out). We also checked the forecast for a few days and picked the day with the best weather before booking the cruise---something I highly recommend for a Napali cruise in the winter. This time we weren't disappointed. The views of the Napali were outstanding.
Heading down past Salt Pond Beach---

 This time of year a NaPali cruise is also a good chance of being a whale watching cruise!

 Heading past the town of Waimea and the old sugar mill.

 Heading past the military base and the villas military members can rent.

 close up of the military rentals with the NaPali in the background

 Near Polihale Beach and the beginning of the NaPali

 conditions were almost perfect!

 it was cloudy, but that meant fewer harsh shadows.

 the spires on the NaPali are breathtaking.

 Low clouds rolling up the mountains.

 By far the best views we've had of the 3 NaPali tours we've done!

 

 heading back

 getting ready for a rain squal---and some cooler temperatures!

 The sun peaked out just in time to drop below the horizon.

If we were guaranteed of views like this every time we did a NaPali cruise, I'd do them every trip.  But the other 2 weren't very good---first time it was so windy that we sailed 100 miles off shore (or so it seemed) and the sea mist was obscuring the mountains; the next time the sun was coming up over the mountains and back lighting everything.  At least I got this one time right!