Wailea Beach & Makena Landing Kayaking Tours

Wailea Beach & Makena Landing Kayaking Tours – What to Know

Most Wailea and Makena kayaking tours follow the same rhythm: an early-morning launch from the beach, a short on-land lesson, and a paddle along the South Maui coast to one or two snorkel stops on the reef, with your guide in the water alongside you.

The headline experience is the classic kayak-and-snorkel tour to Turtle Town, a two- to three-hour outing that suits first-time paddlers, couples, and families – double kayaks let kids ride with an adult, and the stable sit-on-top boats are hard to tip. Longer half-day tours cover more coastline and add extra reef time for stronger paddlers. In winter, whale watching kayak tours put you on the water during humpback season, when breaches and tail slaps are a regular sight and whale song carries underwater while you snorkel.

Private tours give your group its own guide and pace, which works well for young families, honeymooners, and anyone who wants extra time with the turtles. Expect a kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkel gear, a dry bag for small valuables, and light snacks or water to be included, along with a guide trained in ocean safety and first aid.

Why Take a Kayaking Tour at Wailea Beach & Makena Landing

South Maui's coast sits in the lee of Haleakalā, so mornings are often glassy before the trade winds arrive, and the water is warm year-round at roughly 75–80°F (24–27°C). That makes Wailea and Mākena one of Maui's most beginner-friendly places to paddle. Just as important is what's under the surface. The old lava flows south of Makena Landing form ledges and cleaning stations where green sea turtles, or honu, gather. A kayak gets you over the best of that reef without a boat engine or a long swim from shore.

The scenery above the waterline is just as good: the red cinder cone of Puʻu Ōlaʻi, black lava points, and on clear days Molokini and Kahoʻolawe on the horizon. Snorkel stops often turn up reef fish like butterflyfish, parrotfish, and the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, and sometimes eagle rays or spinner dolphins. In winter, South Maui's shallow waters are part of the humpback whales' breeding grounds, so it's not unusual to see spouts from your kayak.

Where to Go: Wailea Beach & Makena Landing Kayaking Tours

Most Makena Landing kayaking tours launch from the small beach park at Makena Landing, on Mākena Bay at the south end of the resort coast. It's a protected, easy entry point with parking, restrooms, and showers, and it sits right next to Turtle Town.

From there, tours typically paddle south along the lava coastline toward Puʻu Ōlaʻi, stopping where the guide judges conditions and turtle activity to be best that day – sometimes including lava arches and skylight caves when the water is calm enough.

Wailea beach kayaking tours also leave from Polo Beach, in front of the resorts at the south end of Wailea, and explore the reefs along the Wailea coast. Because guides choose stops each morning based on wind, swell, and visibility, the exact route varies from day to day.

• Makena Landing – The main hub for kayaking in Turtle Town. Kayak-and-snorkel tours, whale watching tours, and private tours all launch here, with beach park facilities on site.
• Mākena Bay & Turtle Town – Lava-rock reef just south of the landing with one of the area's most reliable turtle populations. Longer half-day tours cover more of this coastline, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round trip.
• Polo Beach, Wailea – A convenient launch for resort guests at the south end of Wailea, with kayak-and-snorkel tours along the Wailea coastline's reefs.

Types of Wailea Beach & Makena Landing Kayaking Tours

Kayaking tours here range from short family-friendly paddles to seasonal whale tours. Nearly all of them include snorkeling.

Kayak & Snorkel Tours

The most popular option. These two- to three-hour morning tours launch from Makena Landing or Polo Beach, paddle to one or two reef stops, and focus on sea turtles and reef life. Many welcome children as young as 5 in double kayaks with an adult, and no paddling experience is needed.

Half-Day Kayak Tours

Longer tours of around four hours cover more coastline and give extra time on the reef. They suit older kids and adults who are comfortable paddling a few miles and sitting upright in the kayak on their own, and minimum ages are usually higher than on shorter tours.

Whale Watching Kayak Tours

Offered during humpback season, roughly December through April, these tours spend more time scanning open water for whales, often with a reef snorkel stop added. Guides keep the group a legal distance from the whales and know where activity tends to be concentrated. Minimum ages vary, since the route may be more exposed than a standard reef tour.

Private Kayak Tours

Private kayak-and-snorkel and whale watching tours are reserved for your group alone, so you set the pace and can linger where the turtles are. They're a good fit for families with young kids, mixed-ability groups, and couples celebrating something special.

Benefits of Kayaking Tours

A tour is the simplest way to get on the water here – there's no gear to haul or rental to arrange. Guides bring everything – kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and snorkel gear – and teach basic paddling and snorkeling before you launch. On the water, they read wind and swell, pick sheltered stops, and keep the group together. In the water, they know where turtles rest and spot the octopus or eel you'd swim right past. Guides also hold commercial permits to operate along this coast and teach guests how to watch wildlife without disturbing it, which helps keep Turtle Town healthy for the next paddler.

Top Tips for Wailea Beach & Makena Landing Kayaking Tours

• Book an early tour. Most tours launch around 7 am, when the water is flattest and visibility is best. Trade winds usually pick up by late morning.
• Expect to get wet. Sit-on-top kayaks are self-draining, so you'll sit in a little water the whole time. Wear a swimsuit or quick-dry clothes, and leave anything you don't want wet in your car.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen or cover up. Hawaii bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. A long-sleeve rash guard and hat cut down on how much sunscreen you need, and applying it well before you arrive keeps it on your skin, not on the reef.
• Wear water shoes. The launch beaches have rocky edges, and kiawe trees drop thorns in the sand. Reef shoes or old sneakers also protect your feet in shallow water.
• Give turtles room. Hawaiian green sea turtles are protected. Stay at least 10 ft (3 m) away, never touch or chase them, and let them come up for air without being crowded.
• Know the whale rules. Federal law requires staying at least 100 yards (91 m) from humpback whales. Your guide positions the group, and the whales sometimes surface closer on their own.
• Paddle in sync in a double kayak. The person in front sets the pace and the person in back matches it and steers. Matching strokes is far less tiring than paddling on your own rhythm.
• Pack light. Dry bags have limited space. Bring a phone in a waterproof case, a refillable water bottle, sunglasses with a strap, and a towel for after.
• Be honest about swimming ability. Life jackets are worn while paddling, and you can keep one on while snorkeling. Tell your guide before launch if you're a weak swimmer so they can keep a closer eye on you.

To learn more, explore these TripOutside stories:

• Kayaking for Beginners – Ultimate Guide – How to choose a kayak, what to bring, and the safety basics for your first paddle.
• What to Wear Kayaking: Gear & Apparel for Every Season – Clothing and gear that keep you comfortable on a warm-water ocean paddle.
• Snorkeling for Beginners – Mask fit, breathing, and reef etiquette to get ready for your snorkel stops.

Other Maui Adventures

The same calm water that makes Turtle Town great for kayaking opens up plenty of other ways to explore, and the slopes of Haleakalā rise just behind the resorts. Here are more adventures to add to your trip:

• Snorkeling & Scuba Diving – Spend more time on the reef with Wailea and Makena snorkeling tours, or go deeper at Molokini on Maui scuba diving trips.
• Paddleboarding & Outrigger Canoeing – Stand-up paddle the Turtle Town coastline with Wailea and Makena paddleboarding, or try a traditional outrigger canoe tour.
• Surfing – Learn on Maui's beginner-friendly breaks with surf lessons and board rentals.
• Mountain Biking & E-Biking – Ride private ranchland above the resorts on Maui mountain biking tours, or explore with Maui electric bike tours and rentals.
• Hiking – Explore lava coastlines and Haleakalā's volcanic landscapes on Maui hiking tours.

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