South Maui: Waterfall Tour w/ Kayak, Snorkel, and Hike

South Maui’s best trick is packing three very different adventures into one day: ocean kayaking and turtle snorkeling in the morning, followed by a rainforest hike to waterfalls and swimming holes. You get salt water, jungle, and freshwater pools without booking separate outings.

I like the guides’ personal touch, especially Tim’s conservation work and Jacob’s plant knowledge. I also like that lunch, snacks, kayak gear, snorkel gear, and the guided hike are included. The tradeoff is the activity level: seven and a half hours, wet gear, uneven trails, ocean paddling, and optional cliff jumps are not a soft day at the beach.

Key points to know before booking

• Kayak from Makena Landing: Meet at Makena Landing Beach Park on Maui’s south side and paddle from shore over ocean waves.
• Look for Hawaiian green sea turtles: Snorkel in clear water and watch for turtles grazing below or floating at the surface.
• Rainforest hike and waterfall swim: The second half moves inland, with a guided walk through lush forest to pools and waterfalls.
• Cliff jumps are part of the fun: You can jump from the rocks and swim below, though you should only do so if you feel fully comfortable.
• Guides add more than logistics: Tim, Jacob, and the Hike Maui team bring conservation talk, island stories, plant knowledge, and safety training.
• Plan for a full active day: The tour lasts 450 minutes, costs $260 per person, and does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

A full South Maui day, from salt water to rainforest

This is a good choice if you want your Maui excursion to keep moving. The day has a natural rhythm: begin at Makena Landing, spend time on the ocean, then change into dry clothes and head into the forest for a waterfall hike.

That variety is the real value. A kayak trip alone can feel short, and a waterfall walk alone may not fill a full day. Here, you get two settings and several ways to be active. You paddle, snorkel, walk, swim, and take breaks for food along the way.

You should still read the word active plainly. The tour is not designed as a sightseeing ride where you sit back most of the day. Ocean conditions can change, trails can be uneven, and you will likely spend much of the day in swimwear, sports shoes, or damp clothing.

Starting at Makena Landing Beach Park

The meeting point is Makena Landing Park, at 5083 Makena Road in Kihei. Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, you need to arrange your own way to the park and arrive ready to begin.

Makena Landing gives the day a simple start. You meet the guide, collect the kayak and snorkel equipment, and get set for the ocean portion. The warm South Maui sun is part of the setting, but it also makes sunscreen, water, and a towel practical necessities.

The provided information does not give a precise departure time, so check availability for the current start options. The 450-minute duration works out to seven and a half hours, which makes this a major part of your day rather than a quick morning activity.

For your own comfort, wear a swimsuit under clothes that can be removed easily. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and use running shoes or sports sandals for the later walk. Sports shoes matter because the outing changes from beach activity to forest trail.

Kayaking across the South Maui water

Once you have your kayak, you paddle out from Makena Landing. This is ocean kayaking, not a calm-water lake trip, so expect waves and the possibility of getting splashed.

That first paddle gives you a different view of Maui’s coast. Instead of looking out at the water from the sand, you move across it under your own power. The guides handle the equipment and help you get organized, but you should be ready to paddle and stay involved.

One useful detail comes from a past outing: a kayak flipped three times, and guide Derek from Kellie Tours patiently helped repair and manage the equipment before the group returned to shore. That does not mean your kayak will flip, but it does tell you something important about the day. Ocean conditions and equipment problems can occasionally interrupt the smooth plan, and a calm guide matters.

If you are nervous about kayaking, tell the staff early. The activity is open to people who can manage the physical demands, but this is not the place to pretend you are comfortable in water or boats when you are not.

Snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles

The snorkeling stop is one of the strongest reasons to book this experience. You enter clear water and look for Hawaiian green sea turtles grazing on the bottom or floating near the surface.

The turtle search adds purpose to the snorkel. You are not simply swimming around with a mask. You are watching the sea floor, scanning the surface, and paying attention to the guide’s direction. Sightings are part of the tour’s focus, but wildlife can never be promised, so book this as a turtle-searching excursion rather than a guaranteed turtle encounter.

Snorkeling after the kayak also breaks up the physical effort. You paddle first, then let the equipment help you explore below the surface. The clear water should make it easier to see, but you still need to be a comfortable swimmer and follow the guide’s instructions.

Use sunscreen before you get on the water, and bring a towel for the transition afterward. The tour includes the kayak and snorkel equipment, so you do not need to rent those separately.

Changing from ocean to rainforest

After the coastal portion, the tour heads inland for the guided hike. The setting changes quickly from open water and sun to a lush Hawaiian rainforest.

This part gives the day more local context. Jacob, one of the Hike Maui guides, is noted for explaining Maui’s plants, island stories, and secluded spots. Tim is also associated with the tour and brings a conservation focus to the outing. Those details can make the forest walk feel like more than a route to a swimming hole.

The rainforest is also where proper footwear earns its place. Running shoes or sports sandals are recommended, and swim shoes alone would be a poor choice for a trail walk. You should expect a more natural route rather than a polished path designed for easy strolling.

The exact trail length and difficulty are not provided, so do not assume a flat, effortless walk. The tour is not suitable for children under six, and its overall mix of hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming suggests that stamina matters for everyone in the group.

Waterfalls, pools, and optional cliff jumps

The hike ends at waterfalls with pools below. You can swim in the natural water and, if you want, jump from cliffs into the pools.

This is the most playful section of the day. After the paddle and trail, a swim gives you a chance to cool off and slow down. The waterfall setting also feels very different from the beach start, which is why the combination works so well.

Treat the cliff jumps as optional, not as a test of courage. If you are unsure about the height, the water, or your own comfort, skip the jump and enjoy the pool. The supplied information does not provide jump heights or pool depths, so you should listen closely to the guide before entering the water.

The tour staff are equipped to handle emergencies, with guide certifications including advanced CPR and First Aid Training. That is reassuring, but it does not remove the need for sensible choices. Natural pools and rocks require care, and weather or water conditions can cause the plans to change.

What the guides add to the day

The guide can make or break an activity that combines several moving parts. Here, named guides bring distinct strengths.

Tim is described as passionate about conservation work. That matters because the day includes marine life, rainforest plants, and natural water areas. A guide who connects those pieces can help you understand why respectful behavior around wildlife and the environment matters.

Jacob is especially useful during the rainforest section. His plant knowledge and familiarity with quieter spots add depth to the walk. You get more from the forest when someone points out what you are seeing rather than sending you along a marked route with no explanation.

Derek from Kellie Tours has also been involved with the kayak portion. His patience during repeated kayak flips is a practical quality, not a flashy one. When a day includes boats, changing weather, and several transitions, a guide who stays calm is worth having.

Staff members speak English. The tour’s safety credentials are listed as advanced CPR and First Aid Training, and tours run in most weather conditions, with changes made when safety requires it.

Food, gear, and the $260 price

At $260 per person, this is not a budget beach outing. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled: kayak, snorkel equipment, lunch, snacks, and a guided rainforest hike.

You are also paying for a full 450-minute day and more than one activity. Booking kayaking, snorkeling, and a separate waterfall hike could take extra planning and might cost more once equipment, food, and guide fees are added. The tour’s value comes from combining those pieces without making you organize every handoff yourself.

The price is harder to justify if you want only one quiet activity. A half-day snorkel or a simple waterfall walk would suit a slower itinerary better. You also need to cover your own transportation to Makena Landing, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

For a family or group that wants one large active outing, the bundled format can be useful. For a large party of 10 or more, note the additional $300 gratuity collected before the trip. That is a group cost worth adding to your budget before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this experience to active adults, older children who meet the age requirement and are comfortable with water, and anyone who wants more variety than a standard snorkel cruise.

It suits you especially well if you like:

• Trying several outdoor activities in one day
• Searching for turtles instead of simply sunbathing
• Swimming in natural pools
• Hearing about Maui’s plants and conservation work
• Letting a guide manage the equipment and route
• Spending most of a day outside

Think twice if you dislike ocean paddling, cannot comfortably snorkel, or want a predictable schedule with very little exertion. The optional cliff jumps may attract some people, while others may find them uncomfortable. You do not need to jump to enjoy the outing, but you should be happy with an active day even if you choose to stay at pool level.

Children under six cannot join. The tour information does not give a maximum age, but the mix of kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and swimming means you should judge your own fitness honestly.

Weather, packing, and practical preparation

Tours operate in most weather conditions, but the route or activities may change if safety becomes an issue. That flexibility is useful in Maui, where conditions can affect both ocean paddling and freshwater areas.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Running shoes or sports sandals

The tour provides kayaks, snorkel gear, lunch, and snacks. You do not need to bring those items unless you have a personal preference for your own equipment.

Keep your packing simple and practical. You will move between beach, water, trail, and waterfall, so clothes that dry reasonably well are more useful than anything delicate. Since no hotel transportation is provided, build in enough time to reach Makena Landing and find the meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Maui plans are still shifting.

The final call: should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy, outdoors-focused Maui day with turtles, rainforest, and waterfalls in one package. The strongest parts are the range of activities, the included gear and food, and guides such as Tim and Jacob who add conservation and plant knowledge instead of simply leading you from point to point.

Skip it if your ideal vacation day involves minimal exertion, guaranteed wildlife sightings, or a short outing close to your hotel. At $260, the tour earns its price through its length and variety, not through luxury. For the right person, it is a smart way to experience several sides of South Maui in one well-organized day.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Makena Landing Park, 5083 Makena Road, Kihei, Hawaii 96753.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours.

What activities are included?

The day includes ocean kayaking, snorkeling, a guided rainforest hike, and swimming at waterfalls. Cliff jumping is also available at the waterfall area.

Is kayak equipment included?

Yes. A kayak is included in the tour price.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included.

Are lunch and snacks included?

Yes. Lunch and snacks are included.

Can I see Hawaiian green sea turtles?

The tour searches for Hawaiian green sea turtles while snorkeling. Turtles may be seen grazing on the bottom or floating at the surface, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Makena Landing Park.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and running shoes or sports sandals.

Can children join the tour?

Children under six cannot join the activity.

What happens if the weather changes?

Tours run in most weather conditions, but the activities may be altered if safety issues arise.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there an extra gratuity for large groups?

For parties of 10 or more, a $300 gratuity is collected before the trip.