Sea turtles, waterfalls, and a kayak day in Makena. This is a 6-hour mix of Makena kayaking plus snorkeling with Hawaiian Green sea turtles, followed by a guided hike tied to old coastal sites near Twin Falls.

I love the way the day flows from water to land without feeling rushed, and how the guides add context as you move—lava, ancient villages, and why this coast mattered.

One thing to consider: it’s a true sampler day. The snorkeling is about 45 minutes, and the hike includes a wet, rocky section where footwear really matters, so plan for that rather than expecting dry, easy trails.

Key things I’d plan for

• Small-group cap (up to 8 travelers) means more attention when you’re paddling or fitting snorkel gear.
• Sea-turtle snorkeling in Makena Bay is the centerpiece, with a focused splash-and-stay time in the water.
• A guided Old Hawaii hike after your ocean time adds meaning beyond scenery, including references to Maui’s last lava flow.
• Twin Falls area hiking is listed as level overall, but you still get a knee-deep, rocky wading moment.
• Lunch plus light refreshments keep you fueled for a full morning-to-midday effort.
• Ocean touring kayaks and instruction help if it’s your first time in a kayak.

Makena starts the day: water, history, and marine life

Makena is the kind of Maui coastline that feels both wild and lived-in. You’re starting at Makena Landing Park, right where the volcanic coastline and older shoreline stories meet. The tour’s big idea is simple: paddle first, snorkel next, then lace up for a guided hike through what’s left of early Hawaiian coastal life.

What makes this tour feel special is the balance. You’re not just passing through Maui’s nature—you’re working your way through it. Kayaking along rocky edges gives you a front-row view of the coast. Then you drop into Makena Bay for a chance at close encounters with marine life, especially Hawaiian Green sea turtles.

Meeting at Makena Landing Park and setting up fast

Your tour starts at 7:15 am at Makena Landing Park (5083 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753), and it ends back at the same meeting point. No hotel pickup here, so you’ll want to build in parking and a calm buffer before check-in.

Once you’re there, expect a quick, practical setup. You get life jackets, plus beach-side safety and paddling instruction from your guides. The kayaks are described as quality, late-model ocean touring kayaks, which matters because they’re meant for open-water conditions rather than just a smooth, flat-lake paddle.

Also, they provide hike supplies like a rain poncho and insect repellent, plus a backpack style carry item for what you’ll be taking with you on the hike. That’s a quiet quality-of-life win on a morning when you don’t want to overpack.

Kayak time: what the 2 miles of ocean really means

You’re paddling about 2 miles total, and the day doesn’t treat kayaking as a throwaway. You’re learning how to handle an ocean touring kayak along a rocky coastline, not just sitting in a boat that does all the work.

You’ll likely find this portion easiest if you go in ready to listen and adjust your technique. The guides teach you on the beach and keep an eye on groups in the water. A good clue from past guide stories is that some guides actively help first-timers get comfortable, including teaching guests who are new to kayaking and snorkeling.

And even if you’re not a strong swimmer, you’re not left to guess. Life jackets are provided, and the guides manage the plan so you’re not alone out there.

Snorkeling at Makena Bay: the 45-minute sea turtle window

After you paddle to a protected cove, the kayaks are set up so you can splash in for snorkeling. The snorkel time is about 45 minutes, which is a realistic window: long enough to get settled, spot sea life, and enjoy the water without dragging the whole day.

Makena Bay is the star here. The tour is built around the chance to snorkel with sea turtles and pass through colorful schools of tropical fish along the way. The goal isn’t a distant viewing—you’re down there with them when conditions line up.

Past groups have described being able to swim with multiple sea turtles, and in at least some departures the guide has even jumped in alongside the group for photos and help. That’s the kind of experience you want from a guide on a day like this: someone who knows how to keep the group moving smoothly and still lets you actually enjoy the encounter.

Quick reality check for your expectations: 45 minutes is not all-day snorkeling. It’s a focused hit. If you’re the type who wants hours in the water, this still works, but you’ll treat it like a highlight stop rather than a full snorkeling vacation.

The switch from saltwater to hiking boots

Once your ocean time wraps up, you change gears. You lace up and head into a hike through remnants of Old Hawaii along the coast.

The tour description makes a big point about what you’re walking through: sites tied to early Hawaiian coastal villages, plus references connected to Maui’s last lava flow about 220 years ago. That’s not just trivia. It changes how you read the shoreline when you can connect place to story.

You also get a cultural guide for the hike. In past departures, guides have been active and upbeat—sharing details about plants, fruit, and animals, and pointing out features you’d miss if you were just walking by.

Twin Falls: why this hike feels like more than a waterfall stop

Twin Falls is where the day turns into payoff scenery. You’re hiking roughly 2.5 miles on level terrain, and the plan is built so you can do it without needing technical hiking skills.

That said, level doesn’t mean dry. One of the most important notes from real experiences: the hike can end with a walk through a knee-deep stream with rocky footing. If you show up in regular sneakers, you might get hurt. If you’ve got water shoes or footwear you trust in wet, rocky terrain, use it.

This is also a hike where lunch can land in a great spot. Some groups have described eating lunch near a beautiful waterfall, which makes the meal feel like part of the outing instead of an afterthought.

Food, timing, and how exhausting this feels

The tour runs about 6 hours total. That usually means a lot of motion, some ocean exertion, and then a hike right after you’ve been in the water. You’ll want to treat it like an active morning.

Included in the value:

• Light refreshments
• Lunch
• All core gear for kayaking and snorkeling (including snorkeling equipment)

That matters because it removes a chunk of the usual Maui hassle: you’re not hunting for food or paying extra for basics the way you often do when you stack activities yourself.

Timing-wise, you’re starting early (7:15 am), which is smart. Cooler temperatures and calmer morning water often make the day easier. If weather affects conditions, the tour notes say it’s weather-permitting, and some departures have required relocation to match better water conditions.

Price and value: is $270.20 a fair deal?

At $270.20 per person for about 6 hours, this isn’t a budget tour. But it also isn’t just one activity bundled into a token discount.

You’re paying for three guided components:

1) Kayak along the Makena coastline (with safety and instruction and ocean touring kayaks)

2) Snorkel in Makena Bay (with provided snorkeling gear and a real chance at sea turtles)

3) Guided hike with cultural interpretation tied to Old Hawaii and the Twin Falls area

On top of that, you get lunch, light refreshments, and hike supplies like insect repellent and a rain poncho. The max group size is 8, which usually means less time waiting around and more time actually doing the activities.

So for the value question, here’s the honest way to think about it: you’re buying convenience and guidance. If you wanted to DIY this day, you’d spend time coordinating equipment, transport, and expert guiding across multiple locations. That’s what you’re avoiding here.

Who should book, and who might want to reconsider

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want a single day that combines Makena kayaking + turtle snorkeling + waterfall hiking
• Prefer small groups (max 8) and hands-on guidance
• Like guided storytelling that connects scenery to place, including old shoreline sites and lava-flow references

It might be a weaker fit if you:

• Want lots of snorkeling time. You get about 45 minutes in the water, so it’s a highlight stop, not an all-day swim
• Don’t want any wet hiking elements. Plan for that knee-deep rocky stream possibility
• Have a very limited tolerance for long mornings. This is an active day with an early start

Minimum age is 6, and the tour notes say most travelers can participate. That’s useful, but still treat it as an active outdoor day, not a casual stroll.

Booking with Keliis Kayak Tours: what to know before you go

This experience is operated by Keliis Kayak Tours. The tour uses mobile tickets and is offered in English. You’ll get confirmation at booking unless you book within 4 days of travel, in which case confirmation comes within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Minimum numbers apply (with a 4 passenger minimum). If it doesn’t meet that threshold, you’ll either get an alternative or a full refund. And again, the tour runs weather permitting, so wind and sea conditions can shape what happens on the day.

If you hate last-minute surprises, you’ll still be fine—you’ll just want to keep an eye on updates the closer you get. And if you see the word weather tied to the tour, treat it as part of the plan, not an annoying footnote.

Should you book this Makena day?

If you want one Maui morning that checks off kayaking, turtle snorkeling, and a waterfall hike with real guidance and included food, I think this is a smart book. The small group size and the fact that gear and instruction are built in make it feel efficient.

Just book it with your eyes open: you’re doing a lot in one day, and the hike can involve wet, rocky footing. If you bring the right footwear and accept that snorkeling time is focused, this is the kind of “active sampler” that still leaves you feeling like you got the best parts of Makena.

FAQ

How long is the Waterfall Hike and Kayak Snorkel & Paddle from Makena?

It’s approximately 6 hours.

Where do we meet, and when does the tour start?

You meet at Makena Landing Park, 5083 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, and the start time is 7:15 am. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop off are not included.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a professional guide, beach-side safety and paddling instruction, ocean touring kayaks, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, light refreshments, lunch, and hike supplies including a backpack, rain poncho, and insect repellent.

What are the kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking distances?

Paddling distance is about 2 miles, and the hike is about 2.5 miles on level terrain. Snorkel time is approximately 45 minutes.

What’s the minimum age and group size?

The minimum age is 6 years. The group size is capped at 8 travelers.

What if the tour has to cancel due to weather or minimum passenger numbers?

Tours run weather permitting. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If it’s canceled because minimum numbers aren’t met (minimum 4 passengers), you’ll be offered an alternative or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.