Adventure, Curated
Explore 5,000+ human-powered experiences — handpicked outdoor adventures for all skill levels with max stoke, zero hassle.
Local Legends, Real Reviews
We partner with the best in the business — trusted local outfitters and guides who know the trails, tides, and terrain. Backed by 185,000+ reviews, averaging 4.8⭐
Book Direct, Best Price Guarantee
Get the best price, availability, and flexibility you need by booking directly with the outfitter or guide.
Protect What You Love
Your adventure gives back. Every booking supports conservation and keeps wild places wild.
Wailea Beach & Makena Landing SUP Lessons
Wailea Beach & Makena Landing SUP Lessons - What to Know
Wailea beach SUP lessons are built for people who have never stood on a board, and most run as private sessions for just your group and your instructor. A typical lesson lasts about 2 hours. It begins on the beach, where your instructor walks you through stance, how to hold the paddle, forward and turning strokes, and how to fall safely and climb back on. Then you'll wade into calm, shallow water, start on your knees, and stand up when you feel steady. Most beginners are up and paddling within about 30 minutes.
Once you have the basics, the rest of the lesson becomes a slow paddle along the Makena coastline. Your instructor stays beside you, fine-tuning your technique while pointing out turtles, reef fish, lava formations, and the volcanic landmarks around you, and sharing a little of the area's natural and Hawaiian history. Some instructors also offer a lesson with a snorkel stop, so you can slip off your board and see the reef up close.
Lessons include the paddleboard, paddle, leash, life jacket, and instruction, and some add a digital photo package. They suit complete beginners, families with kids, couples, and anyone who wants to build confidence before renting a board or booking a longer tour. Age minimums vary by instructor, with some welcoming children as young as 3.
Why Choose Wailea Beach & Makena Landing SUP Lessons
Learning to paddleboard is mostly about balance, and balance comes easiest on flat water. South Maui sits on the island's dry, leeward side, and mornings off Wailea and Makena are often glassy before the trade winds build. The reef offshore breaks up incoming swell, so the inside water at Makena Landing stays calm and shallow – ideal for your first wobbly minutes standing up.
The setting makes the learning curve fun. Turtle Town has one of Maui's largest populations of green sea turtles (honu), so you'll often see them surface near your board during a Turtle Town SUP lesson. Haleakalā rises 10,023 ft (3,055 m) behind the coast, Molokini Crater sits about 3 miles (5 km) offshore, and the red cinder cone of Puʻu Ōlaʻi marks the southern end of Makena. In winter, humpback whales visit these waters, part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Where to Go: Wailea Beach & Makena Landing SUP Lessons
Makena SUP lessons are taught from shore, with no boat ride needed. The main launch is Makena Landing Beach Park, a small cove in the heart of Turtle Town where lava rock on both sides shelters the water. From there, lessons move out into Makena Bay once you're comfortable. A few instructors also teach from Polo Beach at the southern end of the Wailea resort coast. Your exact meeting point is on each lesson listing, and instructors confirm details before your session.
- Makena Landing Beach Park – The main spot for Makena Landing SUP lessons. The sheltered cove has an easy entry, calm inside water, and turtles nearby, and the small free parking lot fills fast on calm mornings.
- Makena Bay (Turtle Town) – Where lessons head once you're standing. You'll practice strokes and turns over shallow coral and lava formations, with views of Molokini and Kahoʻolawe and a good chance of seeing honu.
- Polo Beach (Wailea) – A quieter sandy beach in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani with a soft entry, public parking, and restrooms. Some private beginner lessons meet here.
Types of Wailea Beach & Makena Landing SUP Lessons
Most Wailea beach paddleboarding lessons are private, so instruction is paced entirely around your group. Here are the main styles of paddleboarding lessons Wailea and Makena instructors offer:
Private Beginner Lessons (Paddleboard 101)
The core option for first-timers. You'll cover the fundamentals on land, practice in the calm cove, and then paddle along the coast with your instructor coaching you the whole way. Because it's just your group, the instructor can slow down for nervous paddlers or move faster for those picking it up quickly.
Small-Group & Family Lessons
Some instructors price lessons by group size, so friends and families can learn together with one instructor. Young children can often ride on the front of the instructor's board, letting the whole family get on the water together.
Lessons with Snorkeling
For the full Turtle Town experience, some lessons add a snorkel stop after you've learned the basics. You'll leave your board for a few minutes to see turtles, reef fish, and lava formations from below. Snorkel gear is included on these lessons.
Benefits of Wailea Beach & Makena Landing SUP Lessons
A lesson is the fastest way to go from wobbly to confident. An instructor watches your stance and strokes and corrects them in real time, which is hard to do on your own, so you spend less time falling and more time paddling. You'll also learn how to fall away from the board and the reef, how to get back on, and how to turn and stop – skills that make every future session easier.
Local instructors know the South Maui coast. They know where the reef is shallow, when the wind usually picks up, and how to read the day's conditions, so you learn in the safest, calmest water available. They also teach you how to watch turtles and other wildlife without disturbing them. And because gear is provided and fitted to you, there's nothing to haul to the beach. After one lesson, many people feel ready to rent a board or join a longer coastal tour.
Top Tips for Wailea Beach & Makena Landing SUP Lessons
- Book a morning lesson. South Maui's water is usually calmest early, before the trade winds build, which makes balancing much easier.
- Keep your eyes on the horizon. Looking at your feet throws off your balance. Bend your knees slightly, keep your feet hip-width apart, and look ahead.
- Start on your knees. Kneeling first lets you feel how the board moves before you stand. There's no rush.
- Fall away from the board. If you lose your balance, fall to the side into the water, not onto the board or the reef. Your leash keeps the board close.
- Give wildlife plenty of room. Green sea turtles are protected. Stay at least 10 ft (3 m) away and never touch or chase them. Humpback whales require at least 100 yards (91 m) of distance.
- Don't stand on the reef. In shallow water, stay on your board. Coral is fragile, and lava rock can cut your feet.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii bans sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate. Use a non-nano mineral sunscreen or wear a rash guard, plus a brimmed hat and sunglasses with a strap.
- Bring water and arrive early. Bring a refillable water bottle of at least 1 liter (34 oz), and give yourself time to park at Makena Landing's small lot.
To learn more, explore these TripOutside stories:
- Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Guide for Beginners – Stance, strokes, and gear basics to review before your first Wailea SUP lesson.
- Beginner's Guide to SUPorkeling – How to combine paddleboarding and snorkeling once you've found your balance in Turtle Town.
- Best Snorkeling Destinations for Beginners in US & Mexico – Beginner-friendly reefs, including Maui, for your next day on the water.
Other Maui Adventures
Once you've learned to paddle, put your new skills to work – or try something new on land or underwater. Here are more ways to explore Wailea and Makena:
- Paddleboard Tours & Rentals – Paddle farther along the coast on Wailea SUP tours, or head out on your own with Wailea SUP rentals.
- Kayaking & Outrigger Canoeing – Paddle and snorkel Turtle Town on Wailea and Makena kayaking tours, or try a traditional outrigger canoe tour.
- Snorkeling & Scuba Diving – See the reef from below on Wailea and Makena snorkeling tours, visit Molokini Crater snorkeling tours, or go deeper on Maui scuba diving trips.
- Surfing – Take the next step from SUP with Maui surf lessons and board rentals.
- Hiking – Explore lava coastlines and Haleakalā's volcanic landscapes on Maui hiking tours.
- Mountain Biking & Electric Biking – Ride the slopes above the coast on Maui mountain biking tours or with Maui electric bike tours and rentals.
Trusted Local Expertise, Verified by TripOutside
All information on this page has been carefully verified and curated by the TripOutside content team in collaboration with our vetted local outfitters, guides, and service providers. Our partners run these tours, lessons and rentals every day and provide firsthand details about the routes, terrain, conditions, safety practices, and what to expect on your adventure.
Before featuring any provider, TripOutside reviews customer feedback, ratings, certifications, and local expertise to ensure accuracy and quality. This means every recommendation reflects genuine, on-the-ground experience and up-to-date information from trusted local experts. If you spot anything that needs an update or correction, please reach out to our team at stoke@tripoutside.com - we're always improving our guides with help from our community of adventurers.
Our goal is to help you explore confidently, knowing every adventure is backed by real local knowledge, verified data, and a commitment to sustainable, human-powered travel. Adventure Better – TripOutside.
What Wailea SUP lesson is best for me?
If you've never paddled before, a private beginner lesson is the best place to start, since the whole session is paced around you.
Families and friends can book a lesson together, often priced by group size.
If you want to see turtles from the water as well as from your board, look for a lesson that includes a snorkel stop.
Do I need any experience for Wailea Beach paddleboarding lessons?
None at all. Wailea Beach paddleboarding lessons are designed for first-timers. You'll learn everything on the sand before you get in the water, then practice in a calm, shallow cove with your instructor right beside you. You only need to be comfortable in the water.
How long does it take to stand up in a Makena SUP lesson?
Most people are standing and paddling within about 30 minutes of a Makena SUP lesson. The calm water at Makena Landing helps a lot, and you can always kneel until you feel ready. Everyone learns at a different pace, and your instructor will adjust to yours.
What will I learn in a Wailea beach SUP lesson?
A Wailea beach SUP lesson covers how to stand and balance, how to hold and use the paddle, forward strokes, turning and stopping, and how to fall safely and climb back on. Once you're comfortable, you'll put it all together on a short paddle along the coast while your instructor shares tips and points out marine life.
How long are Makena paddleboarding lessons?
Most Makena paddleboarding lessons last about 2 hours, including time on the beach, practice in the cove, and a relaxed paddle along the coastline. Arrive a little early to park and get fitted for your gear.
Where do Makena Landing SUP lessons meet, and is there parking?
Makena Landing SUP lessons meet at Makena Landing Beach Park on Makena Road, a sheltered cove in the heart of Turtle Town. There's a free public lot, but it's small and fills quickly on calm mornings. Some Wailea lessons meet at Polo Beach, which has its own public lot. Your instructor confirms the meeting spot before your lesson.
Will I see turtles during a Turtle Town SUP lesson?
There's a very good chance. Turtle Town is home to a large population of green sea turtles that feed along the lava and coral close to shore, so they often surface near beginners practicing in the cove. Your instructor will show you how to give them plenty of space and enjoy them without disturbing them.
Are Wailea SUP lessons private?
Most are. Private Wailea SUP lessons mean your group is the only one with the instructor, so the pace, coaching, and route match your skill level. Some instructors also price lessons for small groups of friends or family learning together.
Are Wailea paddleboarding lessons good for kids?
Yes. The calm, shallow water at Makena Landing is a great place for kids to learn. Some instructors welcome children as young as 3, with small kids riding on the front of the instructor's board, while others set a minimum age of 5. Life jackets are provided. Check the age requirements on the lesson you choose.
What is the best time of day for a Makena Landing paddleboard lesson?
Morning is best for a Makena Landing paddleboard lesson. The trade winds usually pick up by late morning, so early sessions tend to have the flattest water and the easiest conditions for finding your balance.
What should I bring to Wailea SUP lessons?
Wear a swimsuit and bring a rash guard, a brimmed hat, sunglasses with a strap, reef-safe mineral sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and sandals or water shoes. The instructor provides the board, paddle, leash, and life jacket. Leave valuables in your car, and keep any phone or camera in a waterproof case with a lanyard.
What happens if I fall off during Turtle Town paddleboarding lessons?
Falling in is part of learning, and the warm, calm water makes it easy. During Turtle Town paddleboarding lessons, you'll practice falling away from the board and climbing back on from the side before you ever need to. Your leash keeps the board right next to you, and your instructor is close by to help.
Can I see whales during Wailea SUP lessons in winter?
Often, yes. Humpback whales visit the waters off Wailea and Makena from about mid-December through March, and it's common to see them spout or breach offshore during a winter lesson. Sightings are never guaranteed, but they make a winter lesson extra memorable.
Should I take Wailea paddleboarding lessons before a tour or rental?
It's a good idea if you've never paddled. A lesson builds the basics so you can enjoy a longer coastal tour or head out confidently on a rental. That said, many Wailea SUP tours also start with beginner instruction, so a lesson isn't required to join one.