Wildlife Kayak Tours in Maui: the 5 Best to Book

1.Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 551 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130Our pick

Meet your guide at Makena Landing for a three-hour morning trip over shallow reefs. Paddle a clear-bottom kayak toward Turtle Town, watch for turtles and fish, then snorkel if you wish. Guides including Kyle, Curtis, Marc, and Michael focus on safety, marine life, and keeping the group together. Winter may bring humpback whales.

“My husband and I had a great time. Kyle was very patient and made sure to check on everyone often. My husband and I almost sank the kayak when my husband tried to get back in after snorkeling but Kyle was very nice about it. He flipped it to get the water out and had us on our way in a few minutes. His patience and humor made it a very fun experience. Not everyone went snorkeling but he made sure to pull the kayak to show us the turtles. It was a great experience and I plan to do it again when I come back to Maui. Thanks again,…”

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2.Maui: Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 3 hours · from $120Best value

Paddle about 1.5 miles across Makena Bay with an English-speaking guide, then snorkel near Turtle Town’s reefs. Guides such as Tyler, Jake, John, and Jeremiah help beginners, children, and nervous swimmers feel at ease. Gear, snacks, drinks, and a dry bag are included.

“Saw tons of turtles! It was lots of fun and Tyler was a great tour guide”

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3.Private Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tour in Turtle Town, Maui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 293 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $169

Meet at 7:15 am in Kihei for a two-hour private paddle along Maui’s Turtle Town coast. Guides Aqua and Sky provide patient instruction, safety gear, local stories, and photos. You may see sea turtles, coral, fish, and, on a lucky morning, a monk seal.

“Aqua made our paddle boarding experience so special, fun and memorable! From reaching out with clear and helpful instructions prior to arriving to ensuring our paddle boarding experience was safe, adventurous, engaging, educational, beautiful and so fun. My daughter and I LOVED our paddle boarding experience and sea turtles making their appearances throughout our time in the water. Thank you, Aqua!”

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4.Turtle Town Clear Kayak & Snorkel Tour (8am-11am)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet guides such as Kris, Chris, KP, Kim, or Macarena at Makena Landing Park for a three-hour kayak and snorkel outing. Paddle clear kayaks along the cove, then swim above reef with sea turtles and colorful fish. Gear and water are included, with digital photos available for purchase.

“My girlfriend and I had Kris as our guide during the activity. She was thorough in explaining the procedures, such as boarding the kayak and how to paddle. She kept us engaged by giving clear instructions on where to navigate and providing historical context for each area we visited. Overall, I would highly recommend this activity for anyone planning to visit the island!”

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5.Private Beginner Paddleboard Lesson with Snorkel in Turtle Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $179

At Makena Landing Park, you’ll learn beginner paddleboard skills, then use your board for support while snorkeling over Maui’s Wailea Coast. Guides such as Peg, Heidi, Chris, and Tristen tailor the pace to your group, share local ocean knowledge, and help families with children from age three. Turtles are the main draw, with other sea life possible.

“From start to finish, our excursion with Peg and Heidi was absolutely incredible. Peg called us the night before to confirm our reservation and walked us through every detail we needed to arrive on time and without any stress. When we showed up to the meeting point, she greeted us with the warmest smile and even gave us a quick paddleboarding lesson on dry land before we headed out. We’re a family of five with three young kids, and only a couple of us had ever tried paddleboarding. Peg and Heidi made us feel completely safe and confident from the moment we stepped into the water. Their patience, kindness, and…”

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