Maui Outrigger Canoe Tour: Paddle with Green Sea Turtles

One hour paddling a double-hulled canoe built the way Hawaiian voyagers did

A one-hour outrigger canoe tour on Maui where you paddle a traditional Hawaiian double-hulled canoe from Wailea Beach along the south coast, learning about ancient wayfinding and celestial navigation while spotting green sea turtles and, seasonally, humpback whales. Check in 20 minutes early; children under 5 are not recommended, and you'll need moderate fitness and the ability to paddle at least a half mile.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hawaiian outrigger canoe cultural tour

• Depart from Wailea Beach
• Learn about Hawaiian history and monarchy overthrow
• Participate in traditional Hawaiian chants
• Paddle along Maui's south coast
• View Haleakala and surrounding islands
• Visit Turtletown off Wailea Point
• See and swim with Hawaiian green sea turtles
• Learn about Polynesian voyagers and celestial navigation

The Experience

You paddle a traditional outrigger canoe—the same hull design Hawaiian voyagers used to navigate the Polynesian Triangle centuries ago. The tour departs Wailea Beach, where the name itself means "Waters of Sacred Happiness" in ancient Hawaiian. As you paddle along the south coast, you'll see the ridgeline of Haleakala, the West Maui Mountains, and the islands of Lana'i and Molokini rising across the water. The guide shares the history of Hawaiian wayfinding and celestial navigation—the techniques that let early voyagers sail thousands of miles without instruments, reading stars and ocean swells instead.

The canoe heads to Turtletown off Wailea Point, where endangered green sea turtles (honu) and hawksbill turtles (honu'ea) live in the shallow waters. You can swim alongside them if you choose, or watch as they surface and glide past the hull. From November through April, humpback whales migrate through these same waters, and you may spot them breaching or moving through the channel. The guide also teaches traditional Hawaiian chants (oli) that you can join in as you paddle, connecting the physical work of the canoe to the cultural practices that sustained Hawaiian life for generations.

The whole experience runs one hour from start to finish. You'll need to arrive 20 minutes early for check-in. Canoeing equipment and a professional guide are included; the operator provides everything you need to paddle. Souvenir photos are available to purchase if you want a record of the day.

What’s included

• Canoeing equipment and a professional guide.
• local taxes.
• the one-hour outrigger canoe excursion itself.
• instruction in wayfinding and celestial navigation.
• souvenir photos are available to purchase.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hawaiian Ocean Sports

Is this one for you?Small groups paddle together, so you're sharing the canoe with other travelers rather than paddling solo. This works best if you're comfortable being part of a crew and want the cultural experience of paddling the way Hawaiian voyagers did, rather than a solo or private water activity.

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Top questions

What exactly is a Hawaiian outrigger canoe and how is it paddled?

A traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe is a double-hulled vessel with an outrigger (a smaller hull attached by beams) that provides stability in ocean swells. You paddle it with a single-bladed paddle, working together with other paddlers in the canoe to move it forward along the coast.

Will I definitely see sea turtles on this tour?

The tour goes to Turtletown off Wailea Point, where green sea and hawksbill turtles are known to live, but sightings are not guaranteed—the turtles are wild animals and their presence varies day to day.

When can I see humpback whales on this Maui canoe tour?

Humpback whales migrate through Maui's waters from November through April. Outside those months, you won't see them, but the green sea turtles are present year-round.

Do I need paddling experience to join this tour?

No prior paddling experience is required, but you must be able to paddle a minimum of half a mile and have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The guide will teach you how to paddle as part of the tour.

Can young children come on the outrigger canoe?

Children 5 and younger are not recommended for this tour. Infants and small children who do participate must sit on an adult's lap, and the tour requires moderate physical fitness from all paddlers.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes canoeing equipment, a professional guide, and local taxes. Food, drinks, and gratuities are not included. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection if you plan to swim with the turtles.