Surf first, then turtles—best Maui combo. This all-in-one morning pairs learn-to-surf instruction with a Makena Bay kayak and snorkel that’s built for spotting reef wildlife, starting at 7:00 am from Makena Landing Park.

I love the small group setup for the surf lesson, because you’re not stuck watching from shore. I also like how the surf coaching focuses on the nuts-and-bolts—paddling in, reading waves, surf etiquette—and instructors like Kyle, Ashley, and Alex have been praised for being patient and focused on getting you up and riding.

One consideration before you book: transport between stops isn’t included. You’ll need to drive yourself between where you meet and the surf/kayak locations, or you’ll waste energy on parking and timing.

Key things I’d watch for before you go

• Beginner surf lesson in a small group (max six) with hands-on coaching on standing up
• Up to 10 paddlers per guide for the kayak and snorkel portion, so you’re not just a number
• About 2 miles of paddling plus roughly 45 minutes snorkeling in Makena Bay
• Wildlife chances that can include sea turtles, dolphins year-round, and humpbacks offshore in winter
• All the key gear included: surfboard + rash-guard and booties, plus snorkeling equipment and late-model ocean kayaks
• A very active day—surfing, paddling, and snorkeling adds up, so plan low-key afterward

Makena Landing Park: the early start that sets the tone

Your day begins at Makena Landing Park (5083 Makena Rd, Kihei) at 7:00 am, and it ends back at the same meeting point. Early starts matter on Maui. The water is usually calmer, and you get more useful time in the lineup instead of rushing through gear and safety checks.

Expect a guide-led start with beachside safety and paddling instruction before you get out on the water. Even if you’ve kayaked before, I like this part because you’ll use it immediately during your ocean kayak portion.

You’ll also have light refreshments included. It’s a small thing, but it helps on a morning when your plan is basically: surf, paddle, snorkel, repeat with sore arms.

Kalama Park surf lesson: how you go from lying to riding

The surf portion is a two-hour lesson designed for first-timers. The emphasis isn’t on fancy tricks. It’s on the sequence that makes standing on a board make sense: paddling into waves, getting your timing right, and using your body to balance.

This is where small-group teaching really pays off. With a maximum of six people, you’re more likely to get specific feedback instead of generic instructions. You’ll also learn surf etiquette—how to behave around other surfers, what to watch for in the set, and how to read the water before you commit.

Gear is handled for you. You get a surfboard, plus water booties and a rash-guard. That matters because it keeps you safer and warmer than bare feet, and it helps you focus on learning instead of borrowing stuff at the last second.

From the way instructors like Kyle and Ashley have been described, the teaching style tends to be supportive and practical: lots of cues, lots of patience, and a strong push to get you on your feet. If you’re wondering whether you’ll actually catch waves as a total beginner, the lesson structure is built around fundamentals—so you’re not starting from a random guess.

A realistic heads-up

Surfing can be harder than people think, even when you get up. If you’re expecting it to feel like a walk in the park, switch your mindset to practice mode. You’ll likely be tired after the first part, and that’s totally normal.

Makena Bay kayak and snorkel: reef wildlife at your pace

After surfing, you head to Makena Bay for the aquatic part: kayaking followed by snorkeling. This is the “slow down and look around” section of the day, even though you’ll still be doing real work paddling a real ocean kayak.

Your paddling distance is about 2 miles, and snorkel time is about 45 minutes. That’s a good ratio for most people: long enough to feel like you got the experience, short enough to keep energy high.

In the water, you can expect colorful reefs and a wildlife focus. The tour description points to reef life like turtles and fish, and it also calls out winter possibilities for humpback whales offshore. Dolphins are listed as a possibility in any time of year, depending on conditions.

A big reason this combo works is that the kayak positions you for wildlife sightings without turning snorkeling into a sprint. If you’re prone to getting tired underwater, snorkel time matters, and the tour’s time block keeps it manageable.

When snorkeling is best

Snorkeling quality depends on the exact area and conditions that day. What helps is following your guide’s cues on where to look and how to stay calm and close to the group. You’ll have better odds of seeing turtles and fish when you’re not fighting the current or drifting out on your own.

Stops and timing: how to keep the day from getting stressful

The official time window is listed as about 5 hours, but Maui days can stretch or tighten based on surf and wave conditions. That’s not a flaw in the tour. It’s the ocean doing ocean things.

Also note: transport to/from locations isn’t included. Even though the activity ends back at the meeting point, you should plan to drive yourself between areas. This is the most common reason people feel frazzled on multi-stop water days.

Here’s how I’d make it easy on yourself:

• Arrive a few minutes early at Makena Landing Park so you can start on time.
• Have a simple plan for parking and getting back to the car.
• If you’re wearing dry clothes after surf, keep a towel and a spare shirt in a spot you can grab quickly.

If you’re doing this with a friend or partner, I’d pick one person to handle timing reminders and gear bags. When you’re juggling wetsuit-like clothing, booties, and snorkel gear, little coordination issues turn into big mood killers.

Price and value: why $216.14 can make sense

At $216.14 per person, this isn’t a bargain price. But it also isn’t just a rental. You’re paying for three things that usually cost extra when you book separately:

• Instruction (surf coaching with a small group)
• Guided ocean time (kayak leadership and snorkeling support)
• Included gear (surfboard + rash-guard + booties, plus snorkeling equipment and touring kayaks)

When you factor in that equipment is provided and the groups are kept intentionally small, the value gets clearer. A surf lesson alone can feel expensive if you’re also paying for a surfboard, instructor time, and basic safety coaching. Here, you’re stacking a second guided activity and still getting the gear handled.

One more value angle: you’re not just getting your feet wet in one spot. You’re doing a full “learn + explore” day. If you only have a few days on Maui and you want to avoid picking between surf and ocean wildlife, this package is a time-saver.

What could make it feel less like a deal

If you show up tired, unprepared, or expecting minimal effort, the day can feel like a lot for the price. Surf, paddling, and snorkeling in one go is physical work. The tour can still be worth it—but set expectations so you don’t feel cheated when your body tells you it’s been working.

Wildlife chances in Makena Bay: turtles are the headline

Let’s talk about the most consistent payoff: sea turtles. The tour’s description calls them out, and the experience is repeatedly framed around reef life. If you’re coming to Maui mostly for wildlife, you’re targeting the right kind of trip.

Dolphins are also mentioned as possible any time of year, and humpbacks are highlighted as especially common in winter offshore. If you’re visiting during whale season, keep your eyes up from the kayak and let your guide’s spotting cues guide your attention.

I’d also keep an open mind about “bonus” sightings. Some people have reported additional marine life like monk seals and even a shark sighting. That’s not something you should plan around like a schedule item, but it’s a reminder that Makena can surprise you when you’re paying attention.

Fitness and skill level: who this fits best

This experience is described as suitable for most travelers, with one clear limiter: it’s not recommended for children aged 5 and under. If you have a young kid, you’ll need to consider whether they can handle time on the water and the attention required during both the surf and snorkel portions.

What about first-time surfers? That’s the point of this lesson. The surf format is geared toward building fundamentals quickly: paddling technique, balance, and how to react when a wave isn’t cooperating. The instruction style matters here, and multiple guide names—Alex, Kyle, Ashley—have been tied to patient, focused teaching.

Fitness-wise, I’d describe this as moderate-to-strenuous for the average vacationer. You’ll use your arms for paddling, your legs for surfing, and you’ll work your breathing and balance during snorkeling. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be ready to feel it the next day—your shoulders and thighs may file a complaint.

What to bring (and what you can skip)

The tour provides the important water gear:

• Surfboard, water booties, and rash-guard
• Snorkeling equipment
• Late-model ocean touring kayaks

So you can travel a little lighter than you would for a DIY day on Maui. Still, I recommend you bring:

• Sunscreen (reef-safe if you have it)
• A hat with a strap for when you’re out of the water
• Sunglasses with a retainer or cord
• A waterproof phone pouch if you care about photos
• Water for the ride and quick snack access before/after

If you wear contacts or glasses, think ahead about how you’ll handle them in the water. You’ll be happier if your eyewear situation is already solved before you step into the sand.

Weather and ocean conditions: when plans change

The tour needs good weather, and poor conditions can lead to changes. That can mean different schedules or even canceling a section if waves are too big for kayaking/snorkeling while surf remains possible—or the reverse.

I don’t treat that as bad service. I treat it as ocean reality. What you can do is plan flexibility into your Maui day. If you’re trying to fit this between two super tight plans, you’re setting yourself up for stress.

Should you book this Maui paddle, snorkel and learn-to-surf day?

Book it if you want a single morning that teaches you a new skill and still delivers ocean wildlife time. The small-group surf lesson, the included gear, and the Makena Bay kayaking/snorkeling combo are a strong match for first-timers and anyone who wants value without spending hours coordinating rentals.

Skip or reconsider if you don’t drive well between multiple spots, you hate early mornings, or you want a gentle, low-effort outing. This is an active day, and it can feel like a workout even when you’re having a blast.

If you go in with the right mindset—practice, listen to the guide, and accept that you’ll be tired—this tour hits the sweet spot: you leave having learned something and seen the reef up close.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

You start at Makena Landing Park, 5083 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, USA. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 7:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience is listed as about 5 hours.

Is transportation included between the different locations?

No. Transport to/from locations not included, so you should plan to drive yourself between stops.

What activities are included in the day?

You get a surf lesson, plus paddling (kayaking) and snorkeling in Makena Bay.

What gear is provided?

You’ll have surfboard, water booties, and a rash-guard, plus snorkeling equipment and ocean touring kayaks.

How big are the groups?

The surf lesson is capped at a maximum of six people. For paddling, the tour notes a maximum of 10 paddlers per guide, and the overall experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.

About how far do you paddle and how long do you snorkel?

Paddling distance is listed as about 2 miles, and snorkel time is listed as about 45 minutes.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

It’s not recommended for child aged 5 and under, but it says most travelers can participate.

What refund options do I have if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance.