Maui: Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

About This Experience

This is a paddle-and-snorkel morning, not a boat trip. South Pacific Kayaks takes groups of up to 10 from Mākena Landing Park in sit-on-top kayaks, about 1.5 miles around Mākena Bay. Operators call the reef area here Turtle Town. You stop to snorkel in a bay known for its green sea turtles (honu). The whole outing takes about 3 hours, roughly 2 of them on the water, and it is pitched at families with children 5 and older.

There are two departures: 7:15 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. on some days. The operator recommends the early one for beginners and anyone prone to seasickness, because the water is usually calmer before the wind builds. Check in 15 minutes before departure. The guide supplies kayaks, paddles, life jackets, snorkel gear, a safety talk, light snacks and drinks, and a dry bag for what you take on the water. Leave everything else in the car.

Turtles are protected, and NOAA’s Hawaiʻi guidance is to stay at least 10 feet away, in the water and on land, and never touch, chase or feed them. Bring a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Hawaiʻi bans sunscreens with oxybenzone or octinoxate, and Maui County allows only mineral sunscreens to be sold. In winter the operator also paddles out to look for humpbacks. The 100-yard approach rule applies to kayaks too, so any whales are seen from a distance.

Recent reviews are warm about the guides, the gear and the turtles. One family mentions spinner dolphins passing the kayaks. Lower-rated reviews are honest about the limits. On rough or murky days the snorkel stop can be cut or dropped, leaving mostly paddling. Wind has turned at least one group seasick. Guides vary, some sell photos, and at the end you may help carry kayaks up the beach. You also need to be able to paddle yourself, since slow paddlers can hold the group up.

It rates 4.7 from 354 reviews, from $120 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Transport to Mākena is not included. For a boat-based snorkel that also reaches Molokini from Kīhei, see our review.

Highlights

• Paddle about 1.5 miles around Mākena Bay in sit-on-top kayaks
• Snorkel the reef area known as Turtle Town, famous for its green sea turtles
• Small groups of up to 10 with a guide
• Early 7:15 a.m. start, usually on the calmest water of the day
• Family-friendly for children 5 and up

What's Included

• ✓ Guided kayak tour of about 3 hours
• ✓ Kayak, paddle and life jacket
• ✓ Snorkel gear
• ✓ Safety orientation
• ✓ Light snacks and drinks
• ✓ A dry bag for belongings on the water

Not Included

• Transport to and from Mākena Landing Park
• Tips for the guide
• Photos, which some guides sell separately
• A guaranteed snorkel stop, since it depends on conditions

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
• Only what you need on the water, since it goes in the provided dry bag

Good to Know & Caveats

• Children must be at least 5. Everyone needs to paddle their own share, about 1.5 miles in total.
• Departures are 7:15 a.m. and, on some days, 10:30 a.m. Check in 15 minutes early. The early trip usually has calmer water.
• Not recommended if you are prone to seasickness. Wind can make the bay choppy, and one group turned back early.
• Turtles are seen often but never guaranteed. Stay at least 10 feet away and never touch, chase or feed them (NOAA Hawaiʻi guidance).
• Use mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Maui County allows only mineral sunscreens to be sold.
• The snorkel stop can be shortened or skipped if the water is rough or murky, according to several lower-rated reviews.
• Guide style varies by day. Some sell photos, and you may help carry kayaks up the beach at the end.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Transport to Mākena is not included.

Meeting Point

Mākena Landing Park in South Maui; check in 15 minutes before departure, and take the exact meeting spot from your voucher.