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Pali Sea Cliff Kayak Discovery Small-Group Tour from Papaluau Beach Park

Wailuku, United States
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
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Overview

On this guided Maui kayaking tour, begin your paddle on a white sand beach at the base of towering sea cliffs, and slowly cruise a section of coast that’s inaccessible by land. The tour starts at Papalaua Beach at the base of the pali sea cliffs, and also includes snorkeling in crystalline coves in search of turtles and fish. Maybe a passing manta ray will decide to pay you a visit, and this Maui kayaking tour is a great way to spot Humpback whales in winter. Enjoy a small group, deli-style lunch on an isolated white sand beach—a welcome reward for paddling 4.0 miles along the coast!
  • 5-hour kayak and snorkel adventure along the Pali coast
  • Paddle 4 miles (6.4 km) with experienced guides, round-trip to the Pali lighthouse
  • Enjoy breathtaking views of Maui's coastline and towering sea cliffs
  • Admire tropical marine life and coral reef as you snorkel
  • Includes deli-style lunch, snacks and refreshments
  • Small-group tour limited to 10 people ensures a personalized experience
  • timing 7am to 11:15am No longer include lunch - Includes bottled water, snack bars and juices.

What's Included

  • Beach instructions and safety talk
  • Guide assisted launch and landings
  • Quality snorkel equipment, PFD, and where required, water socks
  • light refreshments
  • Quality touring kayaks - singles and doubles available
  • CPR and first aid certified guides with many years ocean experience
  • Local taxes
  • Gratuity (optional)
  • Hotel pickup and drop off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting points

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Start time

07:00 a.m.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Start the day on the sandy shores of Papalaua Beach, only 10 miles (16km) south of the town of Lahaina. Here you’ll meet your Maui kayaking guide and learn about safety and paddling strokes, before embarking on an adventurous paddle beneath the pali sea cliffs. From the seat of a single or double kayak, gaze upwards at wave-sculpted cliffs that plunge their way down towards the sea, and keep an eye out for Hawaiian green sea turtles that surface for gulps of air.

On this 5-hour Maui kayaking tour, paddle along a rocky shoreline that visitors rarely see, and tuck inside a protected cove at the base of McGregor Lighthouse. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to splash in the water and snorkel with turtles and fish, and from December-May your snorkeling takes place to the soundtrack of distant whale song.

 

Throughout the paddle, your expert guide will point out facts about Maui’s marine life and shoreline, and ensure your safety while paddling along the rugged section of coast. Right when all the kayaking on Maui has helped you work up an appetite, enjoy a small-group, deli style lunch on an isolated section of beach. Since this tour is capped at only 10 people there’s always personalized service, and with a paddling distance of 4 miles, the tour is best for experienced paddlers who are fairly physically fit.

Papalaua Wayside Park

Make your way to palm-fringed Papalaua Beach in west Maui, less than 10 miles (16 km) south of Lahaina town, and meet your experienced kayak guides for a safety briefing. Learn paddling techniques on shore and then settle into a single or double kayak. A guide helps you launch as you take off for the remote shores and sea cliffs in a spectacular coastal area known as ‘the Pali.’ During your 4-hour Maui kayaking tour, paddle toward the Pali lighthouse and enjoy water views of rugged shoreline and jagged cliffs rarely seen by visitors. You'll stop for snacks and refreshments, and spend time snorkeling at a couple of secluded snorkeling sites that boast excellent ocean visibility and include expansive coral reefs teeming with tropical marine life. Then continue paddling along this scenic shoreline where verdant cliffs lead into the water. Your guides point out the diverse flora, showcasing Maui’s natural splendor that hovers over white-sand beaches. This small-group activity, with a paddling distance is approx. 4.0 miles, is best suited for those who are in good physical condition and enjoy a longer paddle.

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Paddling distance is 4 miles
  • Guests should be agreeable to alternate location of Makena if conditions are not considered safe due to weather
  • Minimum age is 16 years
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Reviews
4.0
20 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Showing 1-10 of 20 reviews
Trip of a lifetime!
Preston_S, Apr 2021
Once in a lifetime trip and John is what made it so good!! He was very knowledgeable and super fun the entire time!! We saw some incredible whales, turtles, flying fish, butterflies, rare birds, and a variety of fish when we snorkeled. Super memorable experience! We’d definitely book John again!!
Response from Host, Apr 2021
Mahalo for the kind reviews. John, just like all our guides, are very knowledgeable when it comes to all things Maui. John, in particular, is a very seasoned guide with well over 20 years on Maui waters. A true Pro!
Despite windy, choppy seas a good...
Mark W, Mar 2018
Despite windy, choppy seas a good time was had by all. Guide Adam was friendly and engaged with the participants. Weather was a luck of the draw type of thing. Would have been a better experience on smoother water. By the way, the picture accompanying this tour advertising is somewhat misleading. I saw no gaps where you kayak into an idyllic cove.
Tour guide Adam was amazing! I would...
Nicole C, Feb 2018
Tour guide Adam was amazing! I would recommend, great way to see whales, turtle and marina life. Really disappointed-description of the tour made note of light deli lunch, we did not receive any lunch, only granola bar and drink.
I would do this trip again! Matt was...
HELEN_S, Feb 2018
I would do this trip again! Matt was informative, took care with us, and answered our questions. We saw whales from the shore and paddled out to observe a baby and mother playing 20-40 yards out for about 40 minutes. It was amazing. It was too rough to go snorkeling, but we were more interested in seeing the whales! Later in the week, the waves calmed down so I know, when we return, we'll go again!
I would NOT recommend this company...
Bob R, Jan 2018
I would NOT recommend this company . The guide did not stay with us even though I was having trouble experiencing a great deal of pain due to a kidney stone that came on during our outing he in turn left my wife and I alone a half mile out from shore never coming back to check on us.
This tour was a total waste of...
Michael_F, Sept 2017
This tour was a total waste of money. I was encouraged by the reviews that spoke about these wonderful guides, so I was thoroughly disappointed when we got a guide who didn't seem to be interested in the tour. The weather ended up being pretty bad so we only could snorkel in one place and not for very long, and the water was so choppy that I got sea-sick kayaking back and he never even asked me if I was okay. The pictures were completely misleading and the tour looking nothing like this which was also disappointing. We were only out on the water for about 2.5 hours when I paid for a 5 hour excursion. Had I known I would have paid a lot less for one of the 2 or 3 hour trips, not over 120 a person for what was advertised as a 5 hour trip. I feel that we should have gotten at least half of our money back, but hopefully this review will help anyone interested in this tour. Much better to book a different snorkeling trip for Maui
This Kayak experience was good...
steven.flores.cornell, Jul 2017
This Kayak experience was good, however there were some delays with our departure due to over bookings. The guide was very good and the sights were amazing.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed...
Tina M, Nov 2015
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this kayak trip, it was an early start but very much worth getting up for! Our guide was AMAZING and had all of the kayaks and gear set and ready to go. He gave us a quick but effective lesson on the proper technique for rowing and explained in detail the importance of kayak and snorkel safety. The morning was beautiful and during our 5 mile journey he shared much information about the geographical area, island history and native animal and sea life. During the snorkeling he was very attentive to the needs of everyone and was mindful to point out the unique fish and coral as we passed. The small group atmosphere was really nice and we enjoyed getting to know the other participants. I would highly recommend this excursion to anyone who loves adventure and has a desire to learn more of what makes the beautiful island of Maui so special.
Garret was an awesome guide and...
Bethany R, Sept 2015
Garret was an awesome guide and pointed out a plethora of cool facts about the island and surrounding history along the snorkel and kayak tour. We saw handfuls of turtles at the cleaning station, marine fish, and along the whole trip felt safe. We'll definitely return for the whale season and ask for Garret as our guide! Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a more private tour with an edge of excitement and personal attention.
We had great time on this tour. We...
Cathy P, Sept 2015
We had great time on this tour. We did the 5 hour excursion and enjoyed every minute. Our guide, Garrett was really excellent. He snorkeled with us and took the time to dive down and point out things we would have missed and then came up and identified them for us. He handled guests needs with discretion and patience, and stayed very aware of the conditions of the water--we just happened to be there when there was a hurricane stirring to the south. Would do this again for sure.
The kayaking, snorkeling and guide...
Scott B, Aug 2015
The kayaking, snorkeling and guide were great. Obviously this is all dependent on the weather so if it gets windy and wavy, you won't see as much and you may have to cut it short. But we saw lots of creatures, our guide knew a ton or was a really good liar, who knows? and even saw some turtles. Downsides: these was nothing remotely like what you see in that image of people kayaking out of a cave in still water into a bay. This was just along a rocky gorgeous coast line in open water. Also, the directions were pretty vague and said to look for a green van or truck, which the guide knew nothing about when we finally found him.
Unfortunately, due to high winds...
Angelique T, Apr 2015
Unfortunately, due to high winds, this was not the tour that we ended up taking. Our guide offered to reschedule for another day or we could drive to Makena, which was about 25 minutes along the coast, and proceed some paddling and snorkeling there. About half our group had either never snorkeled or paddled and so he was patient and reassuring with us. Took us to 2 remarkable snorkeling sites and it was a beautiful day. Totally worth getting up in the morning and even the extra 25 minute drive to the alternate location.
The guide was very experienced and...
James R, Apr 2010
The guide was very experienced and knowledgeable. He made the trip very enjoyable.

Questions?

Product code: 3621PALI

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