Maui Kayaking
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- Maui Kayaking
Highlights
- Paddle to coarl reefs and sea turtle locations
- Snorkel gear and personal flotation devices included
- Trips available in South Maui and West Maui
- Kayaking done in morning due to afternoon winds
Description
Maui kayaking allows you to discover a unique side of the island when you paddle the stunning coastlines and pristine tropical waters teaming with sealife and coral reefs. These tours are all offered with South Pacific Kayaks, Maui's most respected kayak touring company. They distinguish themselves with the island's best guides and equipment. All South Pacific kayak guides are CPR and first aid trained for your safety and security. They offer an abundance of knowledge and treat each guest with professionalism and a true aloha spirit.
All tours include: Beach instructions and safety talk, guide assisted launch and landings, quality snorkel equipment and personal flotation devices, CPR & first aid certified guides with many years of ocean experience, and quality Ocean Kayaks.
Packages
Turtle Reef Discovery - 3 Hours
This trip is planned as a leisurely paddle around Makena Bay available to all ability levels and ages. Whether it's the first time on a kayak or experienced paddlers, this is a wonderful experience. The highlight of this tour is snorkeling with the Hawaiian green sea turtles. This tour is held daily at 7:30am and departs from Makena Landing in South Maui. Minimum age is 5. Total paddling distance is about 2 miles.
GPS: 5077 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753 Click to view map
Turtle Reef Discovery 3 Hour Rate (SPK3)
$118.84 per Paddler (Hawaii sales tax included)
Turtle Reef Premier - 4 Hours
This is a longer 4 hour version of the Turtle Reef kayak and adds an additional mile of paddling, and an additional snorkel stop compared with the 3 hour version of the Turtle Reef Kayak. This tour is held daily at 7:30am and departs from Makena Landing in South Maui. Minimum age is 9. Total paddling distance is about 3.5 miles.
GPS: 5077 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753 Click to view map
Turtle Reef Premier 4 Hour Rate (SPK4)
$151.27 per Paddler (Hawaii sales tax included)
West Side Snorkel Discovery - 3 Hours
For those staying on the West Side, this tour departs from the beach at Olowalu, 8 miles south and east from Lahaina. There is an extensive shallow water reef here that reaches 1/2 mile offshore and offers excellent snorkeling opportunities with lots of coral formations and diverse fish and ocean creatures. This tour is held Monday through Friday at 7:30am and departs from Olowalu Beach in West Maui. Minimum age is 9. Total paddling distance is 2-3 miles.
GPS: 20.809944, -156.614309 Click to view map
West Side Snorkel Discovery Rate (SPK5)
$118.84 per Paddler (Hawaii sales tax included)
Details
Gear Provided: Snorkel equipment, personal flotation devices, Ocean Kayaks with paddle and leash.
What to Wear: Wear swimsuits and bring a towel and sunscreen. We also recommend a light jacket.
Reservations: Advanced reservations required and we recommend booking this a month or more before your arrival. This event is "RESERVE NOW PAY LATER"; we need a credit card on file to finalize your reservation but we do not charge you for this reservation until a few days before the beginning of your vacation!
Minimum Notice for Cancellations / Changes: At least 48 hours before the start of the event. All tours go out rain or shine.
Kevin's Activity Tips:
I am very familiar with South Pacific Kayaks and their operation. I've purchased two kayaks from these guys over the years. They are the premier kayak outfitter on Maui and I recommend their tours highly. There are lots of other kayak companies; some of them are OK and some of them scare me. Go with the best … these guys really know what they are doing.They used to operate a retail store in Kihei but have now focused exclusively on providing kayaking experience to guests visiting Maui.
The shorter 3 hour tours are suitable for most people in reasonably normal physical condition. The longer tours are a little more demanding and require a better level of conditioning, but they do not require an extreme level of fitness. Most of the kayaks are tandem, so the work load is shared between two people.
The Turtle Reef Tour (3 hours) goes to a spot called "Turtle Town" which is aptly named … there are many sea turtles here and they are quite used to people swimming around them. You wouldn't know they are an endangered species from the numbers of them that are seen in this area. This is an easy-going paddle trip with kids. This might be the trip for you if you've never paddled a canoe or kayak before, and aren't very familiar with the water. If you don't have kids and you are staying in South Maui, do the longer 4 hour versions that includes a second snorkel stop!
For vacationers staying in West Maui, it is a bit of a drive to get to the south Maui locations where these trips happen. There is a tour operation in West Maui and the snorkeling is excellent. There are days though when it is too windy to conduct the tour here. If winds are forecast to be an issue on your date the kayak tour operator may contact you about moving you to a South Maui tour instead. As I mentioned, it is a bit of a drive to get down there from the Lahiana / Kaanapali area, and the tour operator will give you the option of doing the tour at the Makeana location, changing to another date when the winds are schedule to be lighter, or authorizing a refund in full.
I recommend that you plan a kayak trip near the beginning half of your vacation. If wind or ocean swells force a cancellation of your tour, you have the opportunity to reschedule for a few days later when conditions are more favorable.
Some people ask, "Can't I just rent a kayak and paddle around on my own?" Yes, there are beaches that have double kayaks available to rent for about $50 an hour. They will only allow you to paddle within a few hundred yards of the beach. Going further requires the knowledge of an experienced guide … someone who is familiar with Hawaii's tricky winds and ocean currents. If you don't know what you are doing, you could end up on your way to Tahiti with no way to get back! haha