Wailea Kayak & Snorkel Tour from Polo Beach, Maui

Yes! Our kayak tours are beginner-friendly, and your guide will go over basic paddling technique and water safety before heading out. The water off Polo Beach is calm and reef-protected, making it a great place to try ocean kayaking for the first time. If you are looking for more information on beginner kayaking, check out TripOutside's blog post on Kayaking for Beginners!

Both single and double (tandem) ocean kayaks are available. Children under 12 must ride in a double kayak with an adult, and double kayaks have a combined weight capacity of 400 lbs (181 kg).

Green sea turtles and reef fish are common on almost every tour, and rays and dolphins are sometimes spotted too. From December through April, the tour becomes a front-row kayak whale watch as humpback whales migrate through these waters.

Your guide chooses snorkel spots based on the day's ocean conditions. Favorite sites include Wailea Point, Ulua Reef, Palauea, and Turtle Town along the Wailea-Makena coastline.

Wailea's South Shore offers calm, reef-protected paddling year-round, with mornings typically the calmest time of day. Between December and April, you'll also have the chance to see humpback whales from your kayak.

Our tours are designed to be relaxed and accessible, but some light paddling and basic swimming comfort are required. If you have mobility or health concerns, feel free to contact us before booking.

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.

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.

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

• Check ocean conditions and only snorkel at lifeguarded beaches. The chance of rescue is much higher with trained lifeguards present.
• 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 on land or in a pool 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.
• Don’t wear fins on land. Walk into the water, get past the waves, then put your fins on. Remove them before exiting.
• 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).

All of our experiences check in at the Ocean Experience Center at the Fairmont Kea Lani resort, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, HI 96753. Our paddle, kayak, and scuba activities launch directly from Polo Beach, just steps from check-in. Surf lessons include a shuttle from the resort to the surf break in Kihei, so please always check in with us at the resort rather than meeting at the beach.

You can valet your vehicle at the Fairmont Kea Lani for a fee (we do not validate parking), or park for free at the public Polo Beach Park lot and walk to your right along the beachfront path to reach us.

No — our experiences are open to everyone. Fairmont Kea Lani guests do have a shorter cancellation window, which is noted in the Cancellation Policy on each listing.

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start time to check in, sign waivers, and get fitted for gear. Activities begin promptly so you get your full time on the water.

Our team includes PADI-certified dive professionals and experienced local watermen, and our guides and instructors are trained in CPR and first aid. We keep high training standards, run safety checks, and maintain careful instructor-to-guest ratios.

Time on the ocean can trigger motion sickness for some people. If you're prone to it, consider taking your preferred motion sickness medication about 30 minutes before your activity.

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.'