Maui Private Ocean Kayak & Snorkel Safari

Turtle Town is known for its Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), which feed and rest along the reef here. You'll also see plenty of reef fish, and guests have spotted rays, dolphins, and even Hawaiian monk seals along this stretch of coastline. During whale season, humpback whales are often seen from the kayaks. These are wild animals, so sightings can't be guaranteed, but your guide knows the best spots to look.

Turtles can be seen year-round in Turtle Town, but water visibility is usually best in the summer months.

Humpback whales visit Maui's waters roughly from December through March (sometimes into April), and the Wailea-Makena coastline sits in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. If you're here during whale season, there's a good chance of seeing spouts or breaches from your kayak. Everyone must stay at least 100 yards (91 m) from the whales, though curious calves sometimes come closer on their own.

No experience is needed! Instruction is included, and your guide will help you get comfortable in the kayak and with your snorkel gear before exploring the reef. Nervous first-timers are always welcome.

Book an early morning tour, as ocean conditions are usually calmest before the trade winds pick up around midday. Always wear your life vest while paddling, stay close to your guide, and let them know right away if you feel tired, seasick, or uncomfortable. Makena Landing has no lifeguard on duty, which is another great reason to explore with an experienced guide.

You can snorkel with a beard or mustache but it can prevent a tight seal between the mask and your face, which may cause water to leak in. It is often recommended to shave at least your mustache before snorkeling. If you'd prefer not to shave your mustache, please bring petroleum jelly or chapstick with you. If you coat your mustache in that chapstick or jelly, it may be able to seal and prevent water from getting in.

You can't wear glasses with a snorkel mask, but contacts are totally fine and often the best option for seeing clearly underwater. If you have a prescription mask, feel free to bring it—rental shops typically don't carry them. Fun fact: everything appears about 25% larger and closer underwater, which helps visibility a bit even without correction, but for the sharpest view, contacts or a custom mask will give you the best results.

TripOutside recommends knowing how to swim before snorkeling, but participation is ultimately up to you and the tour operator's discretion.

• Never snorkel alone. Always bring a buddy. Beginners should consider booking a guided tour.
• Rest after flying. Flying can dehydrate and exhaust you—give your body at least a day to acclimate before snorkeling.
• Test your gear first. Make sure your mask fits snugly, you can breathe through the snorkel, and you know how to clear water if needed.
• Practice with fins. You should be able to scissor kick while swimming. Avoid doggie paddling—it won't get you far.
• Take it slow. Breathe calmly, relax, and avoid overexertion to keep your heart rate low.
• Know your limits. If you're feeling tired, anxious, or unsure about conditions, skip the snorkel session. Panic in the water is dangerous.
• Stay aware of currents and tides. Even experienced swimmers can get pulled out. Know how to identify rip currents and how to escape them (swim parallel to shore).

We generally do not wear life vests when we are stand up paddle boarding, because we are attached to our floatation device by a leash that is around our ankle. If you feel like you would like a life vest, please let us know and we will happily provide one for you. If you are on a kayak tour, you are required to wear a life vest. If you are on a snorkel/kayak tour, we take them off if you are comfortable when we get in to snorkel.

We will take Ages 3 & Up Welcome... We love kids!! They must wear a life vest and they will be sitting on the front of a guide’s board. ; ) The whole family can join in and have fun with us!

Of course! We don’t discriminate against the awesome lone traveler! We’re actually just jealous… Many companies charge more if you are alone on a tour and we DO NOT believe you should be punished for traveling alone and being awesome. The tour price is the same and we cannot wait to meet you, celebrate your awesomeness, and hear about your travels!

Yes. However, remember that your paddle floats and your glasses don’t! Your hat might float at least until you can grab it. So, if you want to bring/wear your glasses, go grab a croaky before your tour. They have croakies with “floaters” on them that I have seen around town that work well.

Yes, but please let us know so that we can take care of you quickly if a situation arises on the ocean.

Here is what I recommend: Go to the ABC/General Store or pharmacy and get a box of Bonine for motion sickness. It doesn’t make you tired like dramamine. Take one the night before your tour and one the morning of your tour before you come to meet us. This is an over the counter drug (and I am not a doctor), but it works for the people that I know who do it. You can also get a seasick arm band (also sold at the pharmacy). Ginger drops help too. But it’s best to head it off at the pass… Mo Betta for you!

Yes. I will ALWAYS tell you the truth, and the truth is: This is an ocean and this is where they live. On that note, I have been doing guided tours in this amazing stretch of Wailea’s oceanfront in the heart of Turtle Town for seventeen years now, sometimes on the water for 7 hours a day, and in that amount of time I have personally seen three sharks. I would not take you on a tour if I thought you were not safe. We would not GO on a tour if I didn’t think we were safe either! We will be with you every paddle of the way. You are safe.

We offer three tour times: Sunrise (which varies throughout the year), 7:15 a.m. and 8:15am. We only do our tours in the early morning because the trade winds come in usually around noon in the Wailea-Makena area. Usually, the earlier the tour the better conditions… Usually. Our favorite Tour time is Sunrise as you can watch the sunrise over Haleakala Crater from the ocean and during whale season it is the easiest time to spot whales!

Remember: The early bird gets the “glass”… glassy ocean conditions that is. AND the early bird gets the WHALE!

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems. 

Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled ‘non-nano.’