Waterfall Hike and Kayak Snorkel & Paddle from Makena

Makena’s coast gives you two very different Maui experiences in one morning: sea-kayaking with turtles in clear coastal water, followed by a rainforest walk to waterfalls and old Hawaiian sites. The small group, capped at eight people, keeps the day personal.

I like the careful paddle instruction for first-time ocean kayakers, and I like the way the guides connect the scenery to Hawaiian culture and local plants. The main drawback is pace: the paddle covers about two miles, the snorkel lasts roughly 45 minutes, and some people may wish both sections lasted longer.

Key details at a glance

• Two coastal stops in one day: Paddle from Makena Landing, then visit Twin Falls for swimming, waterfalls, and a rainforest walk.
• Sea turtles are a real possibility: The protected cove is used for snorkeling among Hawaiian Green sea turtles and tropical fish.
• Old Hawaii adds depth: A cultural guide points out ancient village sites, ruins, and the area touched by Maui’s last lava flow about 220 years ago.
• A small group matters: The maximum of eight makes it easier to ask questions and get help with paddling, snorkeling, and photos.
• Plan for an active morning: Expect about two miles of paddling, 45 minutes of snorkeling, and a 2.5-mile hike on mostly level ground.
• The price covers a lot: At $270.20 per person, you receive guides, kayak gear, snorkel equipment, lunch, refreshments, safety equipment, and hike supplies.

Makena Landing starts the day on the water

Meet at Makena Landing Park, 5083 Makena Road, at 7:15 a.m. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the starting point and return to your vehicle at the end.

The morning begins with beach-side safety and paddling instruction. That matters if you have never handled an ocean kayak. Past guides, including Justin and Cody, have been praised for helping first-time paddlers learn the basics without making the lesson feel rushed.

You will use late-model ocean touring kayaks and wear a life jacket throughout the water portion. The paddle follows the rocky Makena coastline for about two miles. As you move along, the guide explains the volcanic coast, early explorers, and the effect of outside contact on Native Hawaiian communities.

This is not just a workout with a view. The stories give the coastline a human meaning. Makena once held several ancient villages, and the guide helps you notice that the coast was a lived-in place, not simply a pretty strip of rock and water.

Keep your eyes on the water as you paddle. Hawaiian Green sea turtles may surface nearby to breathe. You are not guaranteed a turtle sighting, but turtle encounters are one of the central reasons to choose this trip.

Snorkeling in Makena Bay

The kayaks continue toward a protected cove, where the group links the boats together before entering the water. The setup gives you a stable place to return to and keeps the group close while you snorkel.

Snorkeling lasts about 45 minutes. You use the supplied mask, snorkel, and other equipment to look for Hawaiian Green sea turtles and schools of indigenous tropical fish. The water is described as clear, with bright shades of blue and plenty of marine life visible not far from shore.

A good guide can make this section much better, especially if you are new to snorkeling. Cody and Justin have been praised for staying in the water with the group, explaining what you are seeing, and helping people who are less comfortable in open water.

One guide even brought up two harmless sea urchins for the group to examine before returning them to the reef. That kind of small lesson is useful because it turns a quick wildlife sighting into a better understanding of the reef. You should follow the guide’s instructions and avoid touching marine life unless specifically invited to do so.

The water portion takes about 2.5 hours in total, including instruction, paddling, and snorkeling. Some people may find the snorkeling time short if they want a long session in the water. Still, the tour is designed as a combination outing, not a full-day snorkel charter.

From ocean gear to Twin Falls

After the coastal activities, you trade the kayak for hiking gear and continue toward Twin Falls. The supplied hike items include a backpack, rain poncho, and insect repellent. Lunch and light refreshments are also included.

Transportation details between the two parts should be clarified when you book. The experience begins and ends at Makena Landing, but past departures have included a transfer to the Twin Falls area. You should not assume hotel transportation is included, since it is specifically excluded.

Twin Falls provides a sharp change of setting. The hike passes through rainforest, with waterfalls, plants, fruit, and streams replacing the open coast. The walk covers about 2.5 miles on level terrain, though one past departure included a knee-deep stream with a rocky bottom.

That stream detail is important. Wear secure footwear that can handle wet rocks and moving water. Do not arrive in delicate sandals or shoes you would hate to soak. One person reported cutting their feet after not knowing what conditions to expect, so this is a case where the right footwear can make the day far more comfortable.

Swimming and cliff jumping may be offered at the falls, but conditions and guide direction matter. A guide named Jake was described as willing to get into the water and help with photos, while also giving the group room to enjoy the falls. You should treat any jump or swim as optional, not as a required part of the tour.

Ancient sites and the story of Old Hawaii

The hike is more than a walk to a waterfall. A native cultural guide leads you through remnants of Old Hawaii, including Hawaiian sites and ruins along the coast. You also pass the location of Maui’s last lava flow, dated to about 220 years ago.

This cultural side is one of the tour’s best features. The guide can connect plants, places, and ruins to the people who used them. Past guides such as Jake and Pasco have shared information about Hawaiian culture, island history, rainforest plants, fruit, and animals.

The exact route and emphasis can vary with the guide and conditions, but the purpose is clear: you are not simply being led from one photo stop to another. You are being asked to notice how water, lava, plants, and settlement shaped life on Maui.

At Twin Falls, guides have cut open fresh pineapple or other fruit for the group. It is a simple touch, but it fits the setting and gives you a chance to try local produce while listening to stories about the forest.

Lunch is included and has been served beside a waterfall on past departures. That setting adds value to the meal, especially after the morning paddle and walk. Still, remember that this is an active day. Lunch is part of the outing rather than a long restaurant meal.

What the six-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is about six hours, beginning at 7:15 a.m. The early start works in your favor. You get the water portion done before the day grows hotter, then spend the later part of the morning around the falls and forest.

The schedule also explains why the day can feel tiring. You paddle, snorkel, walk, and possibly swim, all while moving between two very different parts of Maui. One past assessment called the day exhausting but also described it as one of the best days of a Maui visit.

The distances are moderate rather than extreme. The paddle is about two miles, and the hike is about 2.5 miles on level terrain. The challenge comes from combining the activities, not from a steep mountain climb.

The tour has a minimum of four people and a maximum of eight. If fewer than four book, the outing can be canceled after confirmation, with an alternative or full refund offered. Weather can also change the plan, since the activity runs only when conditions are suitable.

A small group is especially helpful here. You can hear the guide’s stories, get direct paddling instruction, and ask for help with snorkeling gear without competing with a busload of people.

Is $270.20 a fair price?

At $270.20 per person, this is not a bargain activity. The value comes from combining several paid experiences and including the equipment and food in one six-hour package.

The price includes a professional guide, paddling and safety instruction, an ocean kayak, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, light refreshments, lunch, and practical hiking supplies. You also receive guiding on both the water and forest sections, including cultural interpretation.

If you were planning to book a separate kayak outing, a snorkel trip, a waterfall excursion, and transportation between them, the combined cost could easily exceed this price. The package is also efficient if your Maui schedule is tight and you want both coast and rainforest without giving up an entire day.

The tradeoff is depth. The kayaking and hike are both relatively short for their settings. If your priority is spending several hours snorkeling, paddling a long coastline, or hiking deep into the forest, a single-focus tour may serve you better.

I see the strongest value for couples and families who want variety. You get marine life, waterfalls, food, local stories, and moderate activity without having to organize each piece yourself.

Who should book this Makena adventure?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad sample of Maui in one morning. It suits families with children age six and older, couples, and active visitors who can manage a paddle and a 2.5-mile walk.

It is also a good first ocean-kayaking experience. The guides provide instruction, and the group size gives you a better chance of receiving personal help. You do not need to be an expert paddler.

You should think twice if you dislike wet conditions, uneven stream bottoms, or early starts. The hike can include knee-deep water, and the combined activities require more energy than the distances suggest.

The experience may also be less satisfying if you want a quiet, unstructured day. The schedule moves from Makena Landing to the cove, then to Twin Falls, with lunch and guided interpretation along the way.

For families, the swimming and possible cliff jumping can be fun, but young children still need close supervision around kayaks, reefs, streams, and waterfalls. The minimum age is six, and most people can take part, but the water conditions and weather always affect the day.

What to bring and what to clarify

You receive snorkel gear, a life jacket, a backpack, a rain poncho, insect repellent, refreshments, and lunch. Even so, you should arrive prepared for a wet and active outing.

Bring secure footwear for the hike. This is the most important practical lesson from the available information. The rocky stream crossing can be hard on bare feet, and loose footwear may not stay on in the water.

You should also confirm the meeting and transfer details before departure. The official start and finish are both at Makena Landing, and hotel pickup is not included. Past departures involved a van or vehicle transfer toward Twin Falls, but you should ask the operator exactly how your day will work.

Keliis Kayak Tours operates the experience. Confirmation normally arrives when you book, though bookings made within four days of departure may take up to 48 hours to confirm, subject to availability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that 24-hour window, changes and refunds are not accepted unless the operator cancels because of weather or minimum numbers.

My take: book it for variety, not maximum time in one place

I would book the Waterfall Hike and Kayak Snorkel and Paddle from Makena if you want a well-packed introduction to Maui’s coast and rainforest. The sea turtles, small group, local stories, fresh fruit, waterfall lunch, and two distinct guides make the day feel personal rather than mass-produced.

The main caution is simple: you receive a taste of three activities, not an extended session in any one of them. Choose another tour if your goal is a long snorkel, a serious hike, or a full day on the water.

For a first Maui visit, though, the mix makes sense. You paddle along volcanic Makena, look for turtles in a protected cove, then walk through rainforest and traces of Old Hawaii. Wear sturdy water-friendly shoes, expect an early and active day, and this $270.20 outing can cover a lot of ground in a short time.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Makena Landing Park, 5083 Makena Road, Kihei, Hawaii 96753.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 7:15 a.m.

Does the tour provide hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity begins and ends at the Makena Landing meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

How far do you paddle and hike?

The paddle covers about two miles. The hike covers about 2.5 miles on level terrain.

How long is the snorkeling portion?

Snorkeling lasts approximately 45 minutes.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is six years old.

What happens if the weather is poor or too few people book?

The tour operates weather permitting and requires at least four participants. If it is canceled because of weather or because the minimum number is not met, you can receive a different date or a full refund.