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Private Maui Whale Watching Kayak Tour from Makena
Pricing
18 years of age and older
18 years of age and older
17 and under
Description
Paddle into Maui’s Whale Season on Your Own Private Adventure!
Every winter, humpback whales return to Maui’s warm waters, and this private kayak adventure puts you right at water level to experience the excitement. Paddle along the beautiful Wailea-Makena coastline while your guide scans the horizon for spouts, tail flukes, breaches, and other signs of whale activity. With no motor beneath you and only your group on the tour, it’s a peaceful, active way to experience one of Maui’s most anticipated seasonal events.
Your experienced ocean guide leads the search while sharing fascinating insights about humpback behavior, migration, and their time in Hawaiian waters. Depending on what the whales are doing that morning, you may see breaches, tail slaps, pectoral-fin slaps, or mothers traveling with their calves. Whales must always be observed from at least 100 yards (91 m) away, although occasionally a curious whale may choose to approach the kayak on its own. Your guide will always follow applicable wildlife-viewing regulations and allow the whales to dictate the interaction.
Best of all, every tour is completely private, so the morning belongs entirely to your group. Between whale sightings, take in sweeping views of Haleakalā, Molokini Crater, Kahoʻolawe, and the South Maui coastline, ask your guide questions, or simply float quietly and watch the horizon. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, but during Maui’s winter whale season, few experiences compare to searching for humpbacks with just your group, your guide, and a kayak on the Pacific.
Duration
- Options for 2 and 3 Hours Total Tours
- Please select the correct duration at checkout!
Location / Where to Meet
- Check in/ Departure Address: Makena Landing, 5083 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, United States
- There is a small free Makena Landing parking lot available but it can fill up quickly.
- There is also an option for street parking if the parking lot is full but please respect any “No Parking” signs and avoid those spots!
Ages & Requirements
- Minimum age of 3+ years old are allowed on the tour! Participants in the paddling must be at least 8 years old.
- Minors must wear a life vest and be accompanied by a participating parent or legal guardian.
- Suitable for all skill levels — no prior kayaking experience needed!
- There is a maximum of 10 guests for the tour.
What's Included
- 100% Private Guided Whale Search Tour – Every tour is exclusively for your group, with no other parties added.
- Experienced Ocean Guide – Your private guide leads the entire paddle and shares knowledge of Maui, ocean safety, and local marine life.
- Kayak & Paddling Gear – Everything you need to get out on the water is provided.
- Pre-Tour Personal Check-In – Your guide will call you the night before to introduce themselves, confirm your meeting location, and make sure you know exactly where to go.
- What-to-Bring Guidance – Your guide will walk you through what to wear and bring so you're prepared before arriving.
- Paddling & Safety Instruction – Get a clear introduction to the kayak, basic paddling technique, and ocean safety before heading out.
Not Included
- Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides!
- There is the option to add photo packages for an extra fee at checkout! All of our Lead Guides are professional photographers… so get ready for some awesome photos! The Photo Package includes professionally edited photos, that are colored & cropped beautifully to capture your Paddling experience!
- Celebrating a special occasion? You can also add Leis for the entire group for an extra fee at checkout!
What to Bring / Wear
- Comfortable, Quick-Drying Clothing or Swimsuit – Wear something you don't mind getting splashed while paddling.
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- Sun Protection – A hat, sunglasses with a secure strap, and lightweight sun-protective clothing are recommended.
- Extra Layers of Clothing - Sweatshirts and Warm Hats
- Dry Bag
- Snacks
- Required Paperwork - Signed medical form if required, waivers, etc.
- Seasickness Medications - If you are prone to seasickness, it is recommended to take sea sickness medication at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before the scheduled snorkel time.
- Waterproof Camera - The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items.
- Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get lost or damaged by the water.
Wildlife Guidelines
ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Paddle On! Maui
FAQs
Are photos included?
Your guide is also an experienced photographer and will be taking photos throughout the tour. A photo package can be added at checkout for an extra fee.
Do I need prior kayaking or ocean experience?
No — this tour is designed to be beginner friendly, and your guide will support you at whatever pace feels comfortable.
How close will we get to the whales?
Humpback whales are federally protected, and kayaks must remain at least 100 yards (91 m) away. Your guide will always maintain the required distance and will never chase, approach, or interfere with a whale’s natural behavior. This tour is about respectfully watching wild humpbacks in their natural habitat while enjoying the unique water-level perspective of a kayak.
When is the best time to see whales on this tour?
Whale season on this tour typically runs from mid-December through the beginning of April, when Hawaiian humpback whales migrate to the waters off Maui.
Do we wear life vests?
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.
I have a young child... Can they come too?
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!
I am traveling by myself... Can I still make a reservation?
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!
Can I wear my sunglasses/hat?
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.
I get sea sick sometimes... Can I still go?
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!
Are there sharks?
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.
What is the best tour time?
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!
What sunscreen can I use and why does it matter?
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.’
Cancellation Policy
PLEASE NOTE: To ensure that EVERYONE has a chance to get on the water with us... We do ask that you give us 48 hours notice so that we can get someone else into that space. We do have a 48 hour cancellation policy of 100% so be sure to call us if something changes!
Availability
Reviews
Location
Address
Makena Road
Wailea/Makena, HI, 96753
US
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