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Maui Paddleboarding Tours
Maui Paddleboarding Tours - What to Know
Maui paddleboarding tours are a great way to try a new activity and experience the Hawaiian ocean from a fresh perspective! Professional guides teach you how to SUP and offer safety tips and insights into the best spots to see wildlife sightings and impeccable views! Whether you’re aiming to catch gentle waves, explore underwater lava structures, or simply enjoy the beautiful coastline, these guided tours ensure a successful experience!
Why Choose Maui for Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding in Maui offers the opportunity to visit coastline areas inaccessible to boats and are too challenging to reach by swimming! As you paddle along, you can spot the bright yellow tangs from your board and even witness green sea turtles surfacing for a breath. If you’ve really lucky, you might even see a majestic manta ray swooping by, and during the winter months, whales breaching in the bay area. Paddleboard surfing on Maui’s long, gentle waves is a thrilling activity and the larger boards can make it easier to catch those waves!
Where to Go Paddleboarding in Maui
Kalama Park
Located close to many resorts in Kihei, this is an ideal spot to paddleboard because of the shallow and calm waters. The backdrop of the neighboring islands, Lanai and Molokini, creates a stunning setting for your paddleboarding adventure. The gentle, long waves here are perfect for trying paddleboard surfing!
Makena Landing
Packed with unique lava rock structures, this is the perfect place to explore the marine wildlife and underwater sea caves of Maui! Turtles frequent this area, along with schools of tropical fish and colorful coral reefs that line the coastline!
Top Tips for Paddleboarding in Maui
- Best Time to Paddleboard: Paddleboarding is a year-round activity that depends on the weather and wave conditions. Early morning tends to be the best time to enjoy the waters because of calmer waters and before the winds pick up.
- Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Please use reef-safe sunscreen to avoid polluting the clear waterways! With so many visitors a year, it is essential to keep the waters as clean as possible for the wildlife!
- Respect Marine Life: Observe wildlife from a distance without chasing or harassing them. Never feed or touch animals, even if they approach you out of curiosity. Please stay off the reef at all times. Do not run the paddleboard into shallow reef structures and never stand on the coral.
- Stay Hydrated: Paddleboarding and swimming in the hot Hawaii sun can be intense. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Follow Leave No Trace Principles: Keep all trash with you and secured down while paddleboarding and dispose of it properly when back at the boat ramps or in town.
- Learn the Technique: Keep your eyes on the horizon line, especially if losing balance, feet should be shoulder width apart, and don’t be scared of falling in the water!
Other Maui Adventures
Check out other Maui Adventures at Maui, HI Outdoor Activities! These include snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, freediving, and windsurfing!
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When is the best time to go?
Paddleboarding is a year-round activity that depends on the weather and wave conditions. Early morning tends to be the best time to go out because of calmer waters and before the winds pick up. Winter months can have slightly rougher waters but provide you with the chance to see migrating humpback whales.
Can I go if I’ve never been paddleboarding?
Definitely! There are some great beginner paddleboarding tours and the calm waters in the bay allow all levels to learn comfortably! Check out our blog post with more details - Stand Up Paddleboarding Guide for Beginners!
Do I need to know how to swim?
You do not need to know how to swim, but you should keep your life vest on at all times when in the water. You also need to be comfortable falling into the water as you learn, as it is very common to fall off the board.
What do I bring with me paddleboarding?
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- Water & Snacks
- Brimmed Hat & UV Protective Shirts
- Polarized Sunglasses w/ a Strap
- Swimsuit
- Dry Back
- Waterproof Camera or Phone Case
What about sharks?
Your local guides can discuss with you further regarding your concern for sharks but most shark species are generally shy and tend to avoid human interaction and areas of high boat traffic. Sharks are also more active during dawn and dusk, so paddleboarding during the day reduces the chances of encountering them.
Do I tip my guide?
Your guide/instructors work hard before, during, and after your tour to provide you with a great experience, and while not expected, gratuities are always highly appreciated. If you had a safe, educational, and fun experience, gratuities typically range from 15 to 20%.
Can I rent a paddleboard in Maui?
Yes! You can also opt for a self-guided SUP adventure with a paddleboard rental in Maui.