2.5 to 3 hours · Makena Bay · Ages 9+
South Maui Turtle Reef Discovery
Kayak to the turtle reef and snorkel with your guide.
| Adult | $109 |
|---|---|
| Private tour | $716 |
Editorial spotlight · Makena and Wailea, South Maui
2026 Golden Lei Awards nomineeBest Kayak & Snorkel Tour
Maui Eco Tours
A South Maui paddling company that says it has been at it since 1991. Maui Eco Tours meets guests on the beach at Makena or Wailea rather than at a dock, puts them in a touring kayak and takes them to the turtle reef. Guides get in the water with you. The operator says it never has more than twenty guests on the water island-wide.
- Turtle Reef
- $109
- South Maui Premier
- $139
- Tripadvisor
- 4.6
- Since
- 1991
Editorial spotlight. Maui Eco Tours is a nominee in the 2026 Golden Lei Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The company
The original, says the operator
The operator's site calls the company “the original and still the best” and dates it to 1991. It does not name an owner, captain or staff list on its public pages, and it publishes a P.O. box in Kihei rather than a street address, because tours meet at beaches. A U.S. trademark record for MAUI ECO TOURS lists Lomas Enterprises L.L.C. as owner, for guided kayak, snorkel and hiking eco adventures; whether that entity runs the tours today is not confirmed.
The gear is touring kayaks that the operator says are refreshed every year, silicone masks, semi-dry snorkels and life jackets in adult and child sizes, with dry bags and paddles included. It also teaches surf, stand-up paddle, kite and windsurf lessons and rents kayaks and boards by the day.
“The original and still the best since 1991.”
Owner and staff names are not published; guides Jake, Jason, Nate and John are named in guest reviews. Tripadvisor carries two listings under this name.
The one to book
South Maui Turtle Reef Discovery
Two and a half to three hours. Paddle out from Makena Bay to the turtle reef, snorkel with your guide in the water beside you, and come back in. Equipment, paddles and a dry bag are included. Reviewers recommend the early start for calmer water.
In whale season the same trip becomes a kayak whale watch. The booking page lists it from December 20 at this check. Weight limits are not published; ask the operator.
| Adult, 9+ | $109 |
|---|---|
| Private tour | $716 |
Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026. Whale-season tour dates open from December 20.
Check AvailabilityThe gear
Kayaks, boards and masks
No boats: everything runs from the beach.
Touring kayaks
- Fleet
- Singles and doubles, refreshed annually per the operator
Snorkel kit
- Masks
- Silicone
- Snorkels
- Semi-dry
- Vests
- Adult and child sizes
Boards
- Sold
- Stand-up paddle and surf lessons and rentals
Book it
Tours and lessons
Per person at list price. Only trips with open dates at this check are listed. Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.
4 hours · Makena · Ages 9+
South Maui Premier Kayak & Snorkel
The longer Makena trip.
| Adult | $139 |
|---|
2.5 hours · Ulua Beach · All ages
Wailea Coastline Discovery
A coastline paddle from Wailea.
| Person | $139 |
|---|
2 hours · Private
SUP Tour Makena Landing
A private stand-up paddle tour of Makena Bay.
| Private | $169 |
|---|
1 hour · Ages 5+
Beach / Shoreline Snorkel
A short shoreline snorkel with a guide.
| Person, 10+ | $79 |
|---|---|
| Private tour, up to 10 | $99 |
2 hours · Ages 5+
Surf Maui 101
A surf lesson; private classes priced by group size.
| Group student, 9+ | $99 |
|---|---|
| Private, 1 student | $199 |
Also on the booking page: a seven-hour kayak, snorkel and waterfall hike for $249, a whale-season kayak trip, windsurf and SUP lessons, and daily kayak and board rentals.
Before you go
Know before you go
Where to meet
Tours meet at the beach, at Makena Bay, Makena Landing or Ulua Beach in Wailea, per the trip. The operator publishes a P.O. box, not a street address; your confirmation names the exact spot.
Included
Kayaks, paddles, dry bags, masks, snorkels and life jackets.
Bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel and water shoes.
Weather
Reviewers say big swells cancel tours and that the company communicates about it early. The operator's written weather and cancellation terms were not published where we looked.
Ages
Most tours start at 9; the turtle reef tour is listed for ages 5 and up on the trip page but 9 and up on the ticket. Confirm for young children.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.6Tripadvisor189 reviews as of September 30, 2026, on the main listing; a second listing shows 5.0 from 29
- #43of 96Boat tours and water sports in Kihei, Tripadvisor
- 1991SincePer the operator
Reviewers praise patient guides who get in the water with beginners and families, small groups, turtle sightings, guides taking photos and good gear fitting. We saw no low-star review on the pages we read.
Questions
Good to know
Do guides get in the water?
Yes, per reviewers and the operator.
What does it cost?
Turtle Reef Discovery $109, South Maui Premier $139, Wailea Coastline $139, beach snorkel $79, surf lesson $99. Checked September 30, 2026.
Where do tours start?
At beaches in Makena and Wailea; your confirmation has the spot.
Does it run in whale season?
Yes: the kayak whale watch has open dates from December 20.
Who owns it?
The operator does not say. A trademark record lists Lomas Enterprises L.L.C.; ask the company.
Paddle to the turtle reef
Guided kayak and snorkel trips from the South Maui beaches.
Check Availability