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Maui Kayak Tours

Fun for the Whole Family

Maui Kayak Tours

Want an ocean adventure? Climb in a Kayak!

Get away from the crowds and experience Maui from a local’s perspective with our Maui kayak tours along the island’s scenic coast. From your seat on the water, you’ll take in the beautiful views while our local guides share their expert knowledge with you. As the island’s premier ocean activity company, we specialize in creating authentic, exciting experiences for our guests. Our kayak tour is no exception.

We use two person kayaks except when there is an odd # of people in your party.  We do not combine people who are not in the same party nor can a guide paddle with you in a double kayak.

Maps Makena

Makena: South Maui Snorkel Tour

  • icon-time

    7 AM TO 10 AM

    GROUP TOUR
    (up to 10 guests)

    PRIVATE TOUR

    (Private for # guests in your party)

  • icon calendar

    ALL

    YEAR

  • icon-dollar

    LOW

    DIFFICULTY

  • Private Tour  $756 (1-4 People, $189 per additional person)
  • Group Tour  $109 Per Person
  • Free Digital Photography on All Tours

This small-group tour is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy the protected bays and coastline of South Maui. We launch from historic Makena Landing and snorkel in the various coves and underwater areas that turtles love to hang out in.

For group tours all participants must be age 6+ and know how to swim.  For non-swimmers and younger children please book a private tour. 

This South Maui location includes some reefs with underwater caves and arches commonly known as “Five Caves” and “Turtle Arches”. These reefs and many others in Turtle Town have resident sea turtles who can be found there year-round if you know exactly where to look and our guides will lead you there. As you kayak along the Makena and Wailea coast you’ll enjoy the sea life and scenic views of Puu Olai, Molokini Crater, Lanai, Mauna Kahalawai (West Maui Mountains), and Kahoolawe.
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FREE Digital Photos of your tour
icon guides
Safety-oriented and informative guides
icon shaka
Cultural and educational
icon marine guide
Certified marine naturalist guides
icon snorkel
Snorkel gear included
icon paddle
Stable and easy to paddle
Turtles and Fish Galore!
“Julian guided our group of 4 to two perfect spots and we saw more Sea Turtles than I could count! Julian was very knowledgable, professional and always had our safety first. He took photos underwater so we didn’t have to do anything but enjoy our tour!! He even provided water and snack bars. We launched from Makena area which we would like to see more of next time we visit Maui. Thank you Julian and Hawaiian Paddle Sports!
Date of experience: November 2018”
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sbcucinottaCincinnati, Ohio
Maps Olowalu

West Maui Turtle Gardens Kayak Tour

  • icon-time

    7 AM TO 10 AM

    GROUP TOUR
    (up to 10 guests)

    PRIVATE TOUR

    (Private for # guests in your party)

  • icon calendar

    ALL

    YEAR

  • icon-dollar

    MODERATE

    DIFFICULTY

  • Private Tour  $756 (1-4 People, $189 per additional person)
  • Group Tour  $109 Per Person
  • Free Digital Photography on All Tours

After a water safety and paddling orientation we depart from Olowalu Beach under the backdrop of Mauna Kahalawai (West Maui Mountains).

Due to the sometimes windy conditions, the West Maui Olowalu location is best for older children and adults who are comfortable in the ocean.  For non-swimmers and younger children please book a private tour.

As your guide navigates you through the shallow coral gardens you can’t help but notice the vivid reef structures everywhere you look. This shallow water playground opens to slightly deeper water where your guide leads you to a ‘turtle cleaning station’ with an abundance of turtles and marine life. The shallow, sandy bottoms with patches of vibrant coral make this a favorite snorkel spot for visitors to kayak and snorkel on Maui.

icon photo
FREE Digital Photos of your tour
icon snorkel
Snorkel gear included
icon marine guide
Certified marine naturalist guides
icon guides
Safety-oriented and informative guides
icon shaka
Cultural and educational
icon paddle
Stable and easy to paddle
Private coral garden snorkel kayak tour
“We did the coral garden kayak/snorkel tour with Hawaiian paddle sport and Matt, our guide was fantastic!!! We are a family of four, 2 boys of 11 and 12 years old and we had a really great time. Our guide took wonderful pictures of us and we saw a lot of marine life. The water was really clear and we saw a lot of corals, fish and 2 turtles. We absolutely recommend this tour. It was beautiful and my childrens loved it.
Date of experience: July 2018”
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MyriamclichePlessisville, Canada
Maps Makena

Private Maui Kayaking

  • icon-time

    7 AM TO 10 AM

    PRIVATE TOUR

    (Private for # guests in your party)

  • icon calendar

    ALL

    YEAR

  • icon-dollar

    LOW

    DIFFICULTY

  • Private Tour  $756 (1-4 People)
  • Additional Guests  $189 Per Person
  • Free Digital Photography on All Tours

Private kayak tours are a great option for first time ocean enthusiast, families with small children, elderly couples and active travelers who don’t want to be held back… but really a private kayaking tour is the best option for discerning travels who are looking for better guest experience on a customized kayak tour.

Launching from historic Makena Landing near Maui’s Turtle Town or in West Maui you’ll have views of the beautiful mountains as a backdrop while kayaking in Maui. With dozens of independent reefs throughout the coastal areas, your kayak guide will lead you away from the crowds to kayak and snorkel with Maui’s green Hawaiian Sea Turtles.

Our private kayak tours in Maui occur in both South and West Maui. We explore hidden caves, arches, sea life and turtle gathering spots where you can snorkel and relax, away from the crowds.  Private tours are perfect for any group not wanting to be combined with other people not in their party, or for persons wanting extra attention from our guides.  Private tours are required for Non-swimmers and children under age 6.  
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icon photo
FREE Digital Photos of your tour
icon snorkel
Snorkel gear included
icon marine guide
Certified marine naturalist guides
icon guides
Safety-oriented and informative guides
icon shaka
Cultural and educational
icon paddle
Stable and easy to paddle
Turtles and Fish Galore!
“Julian guided our group of 4 to two perfect spots and we saw more Sea Turtles than I could count! Julian was very knowledgable, professional and always had our safety first. He took photos underwater so we didn’t have to do anything but enjoy our tour!! He even provided water and snack bars. We launched from Makena area which we would like to see more of next time we visit Maui. Thank you Julian and Hawaiian Paddle Sports!
Date of experience: November 2018”
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sbcucinottaCincinnati, Ohio
whale watching tours

Whale Watch Kayak Tours

  • icon-time

    7 AM TO 10 AM

    GROUP TOUR
    (up to 10 guests)

    PRIVATE TOUR

    (Private for # guests in your party)

  • icon calendar

    ONLY

    DEC  to
    MAR 31

  • icon-dollar

    LOW

    DIFFICULTY

  • Private Tour  $756 (1-4 People, $189 per additional person)
  • Group Tour  $109 Per Person
  • Free Digital Photography on All Tours

If you’ll be in Maui between December and April then whale watching is probably on your list of things to do. If you’re reading this section then you’re about to have an experience unlike most whale watching tours on Maui.  Both locations have equal opportunity to view whales, one location is not better than the other. 

On a private or small group whale watching tours you’ll paddle out on kayaks to see humpback whales that visit close to our shores. To see a humpback whale from a kayak, hear them breathe and then gracefully dive back down can be a life changing experience. An added benefit of kayak whale watching is that you’ll get to be physically active while whale watching. How far you paddle, and at what rate, is up to you if you choose a private tour.  During peak whale season there is no shortage of humpback whales.  If you would like to spend some time snorkeling at the end of your Private whale watching kayak tour let us know when you make your reservation and we’ll let your guide know, you can always change your mind mid-tour if you’re having too much fun whale watching.  If you choose a group whale watch tour, it is strictly whale watching and no snorkeling.
Read more

icon photo
FREE Digital Photos of your tour
icon snorkel
Snorkel gear included
icon marine guide
Certified marine naturalist guides
icon guides
Safety-oriented and informative guides
icon shaka
Cultural and educational
icon paddle
Stable and easy to paddle
Unforgettable kayak encounter
“Last week, we went out on a 3 hr kayak trip with Morgan off Oluwalu reef. Morgan, our guide and my partner and myself. Two kayaks, no fossil fuel burned, no reef damaged. Morgan was super friendly and knowledgeable about ocean life, ecology and where to find turtles and spot whales. We weren’t in the water 30 minutes before a humpback whale and her calf swam RIGHT UNDER OUR KAYAK. It was heart stopping. The calf was so close to me that I could have touched it with my paddle. I get chicken skin just thinking about it. The whales were curious about us and hung out for a while very close to our kayaks while we drifted in crystal clear waters with extreme visibility. Even our guide said it was the closest he’s ever been to a humpback. What an experience! Later we went to the “turtle cleaning station” where green sea turtles are cleaned by wrasse fish. There were dozens of “honu” on the reef so we kicked it and swam with them for a while. That is, until the huge catamarans and diesel boats showed up. There would be absolutely no reason to go out on a giant tourist boat which is most likely damaging the reef with a bunch of loud people and their children when you could easily glide silently out on a Hawaiian Paddle Sports kayak or canoe and have an amazing experience. We did and it was one of the best moments of true Hawaii that I’ve ever had. (And I’ve had a lot). Check out this company. It’s no ka oi!”
Stevie C kayak
Stevie C.Sacramento, CA

Maps Makena

Molokini Kayak Challenge

  • icon-time

    6AM TO 10AM

    PRIVATE TOUR

  • icon calendar

    ALL

    YEAR

  • icon-dollar

    HIGH

    DIFFICULTY

  • Private Tour – $796 (1-3 People)
  • Additional Guests $189 Per Person

So you want to go to Molokini? Most people take large snorkel boats…. but a few PADDLE there! This Maui kayaking tour is not for everyone, only those looking for a challenge.

We’ll meet early in the morning at Makena Landing and go over water safety and paddling orientation. Then we set our course for Molokini Crater. You’ll glide across the calm waters as the sky slowly turns purple, pink, red and orange while the sun slowly rises over the summit of Haleakala. Experience views only available from sea or one of our neighboring islands. After a healthy 3.5 mile paddle you’ll arrive at Molokini Crater, before the large snorkel boats, and enjoy an uncrowded snorkel in the crater. If you’ve been there on a boat before you’ll understand the value of the last statement! If conditions allow, we’ll paddle around the back side of the crater. The breathtaking back wall of wind and wave-swept stone is a sight you’ll carry with you for a lifetime, and one that very few ever see. As we paddle back to Makena you will start to appreciate the name of this tour: Molokini Challenge. Don’t worry, our guides promise no matter how tired you get on the way back, we’ll hit land…. somewhere!

icon photo
FREE Digital Photos
of your tour
icon snorkel
Snorkel gear
included
icon marine guide
Certified marine
naturalist guides
icon guides
Safety-oriented and informative guides
icon shaka
Cultural and
educational
Molokini Challenge: Best paddling tour on Maui
“Launching kayaks before sunrise, paddling through the surf, watching whales, seeing the sun rise over Haleakala, stopping in the Molokini crater, having dolphins leap out of the water just in front of us, listening to whale song and dolphin chatter, and paddling back to Makena… It was an adventure! Josh and Chad were great guides, friendly and informative! I highly recommend this trip to folks who love to paddle, get a bit intense (if it’s windy) and have a grand, nonmotorized, adventure!”
John T kayak
John T.Chicago, IL

Our tours feature

icon photo
FREE Digital Photos
of your tour
icon snorkel
Snorkel gear included
icon marine guide
Certified marine
naturalist guides
icon guides
Safety-oriented and informative guides
icon shaka
Cultural and
educational
icon paddle
Stable and
easy to paddle
Maui Kayak Tours

The original way to social distance? A custom, private kayak tour. #TBT #kayak #ocean

Maui Kayak Whale Watching

If you’re already on Maui and going a little stir crazy, come social distance with us and the humpback whales. You’ll have to be mindful and stay 6 feet away from our guides and 300 feet from the whales… but it’s a peaceful option in a turbulent world. #hawaiianpaddlesports

Whale Breach Kayaker Maui

It’s almost our favorite time of the year again… #whaleseason #humpbackwhales #whalewatchingmaui

Family Friendly Kayak Tours Hawaii

The effects of Vitamin Sea are immediately noticeable. #vitaminsea

Maui Kayak Tours

WHY A PRIVATE
MAUI KAYAK TOUR?

Private kayak tours are a great alternative to large boats and group kayak tours to snorkel or whale watch in Maui. On a private kayak tour our knowledgeable guide is there to cater to your guests only, we don’t combine parties. On a large group kayak tours there can be up to 14 people per guide and you’ll never know who else is going to be on the tour with you and how that will impact your experience. Some paddlers might want to cruise along at a leisurely pace while others want to GO GO GO!

On a private kayaking tour you are not hindered or rushed based on other guests’ desires… you get to call the shots! Want to paddle more and snorkel less? Don’t want to snorkel at all? No problem, we realize not everyone has the same expectations or agenda, this is specifically why we exclusively offer Private Kayak Tours. Our guides will tailor the kayaking tour to your ability, fitness and desires.

WHY A KAYAK TOUR?

Our Kayak Tours are a stable and beginner friendly choice for your Maui adventure, kayaking is something ANYONE can do. We use ‘Ocean Kayak’ Malibu Two’s, Scuppers and Scramblers. These almost impossible-to-flip vessels provide a safe and secure option great for family, a couple or individual fun. Let one of our knowledgeable kayak guides share their favorite reefs, marine life and stories with you on a PRIVATE Kayak Tour today!

Olowalu Whale Fluke Kayak