Water Bike Tour in South Maui: Ride Over the Ocean

Pedal across open water without balancing. Just sit, pedal and steer

A water bike tour in South Maui lets you ride a rare, stable bicycle over the ocean from Makena Bay southeast along the shoreline, spotting reef and marine life while a guide shares Hawaiian names and history. The tour runs roughly 105 minutes with stops to photograph and rest. Life jackets, water bikes and bottled water are included. Children from age 12 are welcome, and you can set your own pace: push for exercise or cruise at ease.

Step-by-step itinerary

Water bike tour along Maui shoreline

• Leave from Makena Bay
• Travel southeast along shoreline
• Stop to relax and take photos
• Learn Hawaiian names and history
• Pass by black sand beach
• Enjoy riding and exercise options

The experience

You leave from Makena Bay on a water bike, a rare piece of equipment that lets you pedal over the ocean without managing your balance. The bikes are stable enough that you can ride and shoot video or photos at the same time. Some riders even do live social media feeds while moving. The guide leads you southeast along the shoreline, stopping for roughly 10 minutes at a time so everyone can rest, photograph, and take in what's around you: reef, fish, and whatever marine life shows up that day.

One stop takes you past one of the only black sand beaches on the south shore, visible from your bike but not accessible by road, which is why it stays quieter than the main tourist beaches. The guide teaches Hawaiian names and words of the area as you ride, turning the morning into a lesson in local history. You control the effort level: push yourself for a workout or cruise along at a comfortable pace. The guides stay with the group to provide instruction and help throughout.

The day before your tour, you'll get a text with what to bring, what to wear, GPS directions and a map of the meeting spot. Bring sunscreen and a hat. The tour provides life jackets (USCG certified), the water bikes themselves, and bottled water. Public transportation is available near the launch point.

What’s included

• USCG certified life jackets.
• water bikes.
• bottled water.

Information

Lasts 1h 45m, runs Monday to Saturday at 08:30, from US$ 130.62 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:30Last departure this season: 31 DecAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Surf Cycling Hawaii

Is this one for you?You ride the bikes yourself at your own pace, no guide pedaling for you, so this suits anyone who wants to move under their own power and control the effort, whether that's a gentle cruise or a solid workout. The stable design means you don't balance or steer like a regular bike, which is why it works for riders who've never done this before and for anyone who wants to photograph or film while moving.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is a water bike and how do I stay balanced on one?

A water bike is a rare, stable bicycle designed to float and move across the ocean. The frame keeps you upright and balanced without you having to think about it. You simply sit, pedal forward to go, and pedal backward to reverse. The stability lets you ride and take photos or video at the same time.

What marine life and reef will I see on this tour?

The tour travels southeast from Makena Bay along the shoreline where reef and fish are visible from the bikes. What marine life appears depends on the day, but the guide will point out what's there and teach you the Hawaiian names of the area as you ride.

Can I ride at my own pace, or do I have to keep up with the group?

You control your own effort level on the water bike tour. You can push yourself for more exercise or cruise along at a comfortable pace. The guides are there to provide instruction and support either way.

How long does the tour take and what's included?

The tour runs about 105 minutes from Makena Bay. Life jackets (USCG certified), water bikes and bottled water are all included. Bring your own sunscreen and hat.