Kauai fishing charters are a day on the water — stable footing, physical movement, and the occasional roll of trade-wind chop. Go Fish Kauai runs a single six-pack sport fishing boat (the Emma Nalani, a 41-foot Bertram USCG-licensed for six passengers) out of Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. Before you book, a few questions come up often. Here are the straight answers, direct from Gina.
Fishing vessels don't offer stable footing, so if you have any medical issues or physical limitations that affect your ability to stand, walk, or brace yourself, please contact Gina at 808-652-4556 before booking.
Examples include hurt limbs, neck or back issues, elderly guests, or other medical conditions. If you show up with obvious impairments we unfortunately can't let you board.
If you cancel more than 5 days before your trip there's no charge. Cancellations within 4 days are a 50% charge, and no-shows or cancellations within 72 hours are fully charged. If the Captain cancels due to weather, there's no charge to you.
A few important restrictions apply to any Kauai fishing charter with us:
Safety first, aloha always. Questions? Contact Gina before you book.
Kauai is an island, and that shapes everything about how charter fishing works here. Big game, fresh catch, local restaurants, and state-level conservation rules all come into play. Here's what guests ask most often about the catch, the license, and what happens to the fish.
Kauai relies on local fishermen like us for fresh fish, so one fish up to 50 lbs can be cut, packaged, and shared among guests — the Captain decides which fish.
Most large fish are sold to local restaurants to keep our gear top-notch, because large fish have a short shelf life and freezing isn't a good option. That said, we're still generous with our catch compared to other charters.
We don't process or ship fish off the island due to health and airline restrictions. For large family events, contact Gina at 808-652-4556 to purchase fish at market price.
Kauai offers access to some of the best offshore natural fishing grounds in all of Hawaii. We target:
Read more about each species and what conditions bring them in on our fish species page.
Yes. As of May 2, 2024, all non-residents aged 15 and older must have a Hawaiʻi recreational marine fishing license:
You can buy one at fishing.hawaii.gov ahead of time, or scan the QR code on the boat the morning of your trip. All license fees support Hawaii's marine conservation efforts.
The boat matters, and so does the crew. Whether it's your first Kauai fishing charter or your tenth, here's what guests want to know about the Emma Nalani before they step aboard.
Our boat, the Emma Nalani, is a Bertram 38 Convertible III Sport Fisher — 17 tons, running 41 feet long, built for a smooth ride in offshore conditions.
The fly bridge sits 14 feet above the water with seating for six and a panoramic view of the action and Kauai's beautiful coastline. Inside there's a fully equipped seating area along with a private bathroom — comforts you'll really appreciate on hot or rainy days, and especially when nature calls.
Gina owns and operates Go Fish Kauai. She's directed the Captain and Crew since she took over the original operation in 2014 and rebranded to Go Fish Kauai, Inc. in recent years.
When you book with Go Fish Kauai you book directly with Gina. The captains and crew on the Emma Nalani all hold USCG licenses and have decades of combined experience fishing Kauai's offshore waters.
Only if you feel they deserve it — and how much you tip is entirely up to you.
She's both. Most of our trips are offered in either private (the whole boat, flat rate) or shared (per person) format. The exceptions are the full-day charter and the custom 10 or 12-hour charter, which run as private bookings only.
See the trip types page for a full breakdown of formats and pricing.
You don't need much to join us on the water — just a good attitude, the right clothing, and a few practical items. Here's everything you need to prep for your trip.
Bring a sense of humor and a good attitude — and here's what else you'll need:
If you're prone to seasickness, here are some recommendations to minimize your chances:
Still have questions? Contact Gina or see the full trip options to book.
If something isn't covered here, the fastest answer is a direct call or email to Gina. She's the owner, the operator, and the one who runs your trip — so whatever you need to know, she knows it.
Mahalo for choosing Go Fish Kauai · Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor, Lihue, HI