Maui Sea Scooter Snorkeling: Wailea Beach & Sea Turtles

Underwater scooters let you cover more reef than swimming alone

You motor out on a Yamaha sea scooter to explore Wailea Beach's reefs at your own pace, spotting sea turtles, rays, octopus and reef fish alongside a local guide. The tour includes all gear, a safety briefing, underwater photos, and small-group conditions. The 8 a.m. departure offers the calmest water. Plan on 2–3 hours in and around the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sea scooter snorkeling tour briefing and exploration

• Receive ocean safety briefing
• Get sea scooter and snorkeling tutorial
• Use top-of-the-line snorkeling goggles
• Explore Makena Bay reef
• Snorkel alongside sea turtles and fish
• Enjoy a private, crowd-free experience
• Document experience with photos and video

The experience

The water at Wailea Beach goes quiet the moment you drop in on a sea scooter. The reef spreads out in front of you, not a postcard version, but the actual thing, with movement in it. Green sea turtles drift past. Rays glide along the sand. Your guide points to an octopus tucked into coral, and you motor closer without the effort of kicking hard the whole time. The scooter does the work. You just steer and look.

The 8 a.m. slot is the one to book if you want calm water. That's when the bay sits flat and you can actually see what's down there. You get a full briefing on the scooter controls and ocean safety before you leave the beach, plus a tutorial on the snorkeling gear itself. The goggles are decent ones, not the kind that fog up or leak halfway through. After that it's just you, your guide, and whatever marine life decides to show up that day. The groups stay small, which means you're not herding through the water with twenty other people.

What makes this different from a standard snorkeling tour is the scooter itself. It lets you cover more ground and conserve energy, so you're not exhausted by the time you reach the good stuff. The guides are local and know where to find the turtles and the reef fish that live in Makena Bay. They'll document your time underwater with photos and video, which come free with the tour. If you want the full video package, that's sold separately, but the photos are included.

You'll need moderate fitness and decent upper body strength to operate the scooter, and you have to be able to swim lightly even with the life vest on. The 9:10 a.m. tour runs in choppier conditions and is only for strong swimmers. Stick with the 8 a.m. if you're not confident in rougher water. Bring sunscreen for before and after, wear the wetsuit top they provide, and don't overthink it. The whole experience is built around making this feel less like a lesson and more like hanging out with someone who knows the reef.

What’s included

Underwater sea scooter, mask, snorkel, fins, lifejacket, upper wetsuit top, prescription mask if needed, free underwater photos, local guide, safety briefing, and scooter tutorial. Video packages are available for separate purchase.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 08:00, 10:00 and 12:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (5 to 75 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by My Splash - Sea Scooter Snorkeling Maui

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover more reef than swimming alone allows and see sea turtles without fighting currents or exhaustion. The scooter is what makes that possible in a couple of hours.

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Top questions

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's the difference between the 8 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. tours?

The 8 a.m. tour has the calmest water conditions. The 9:10 a.m. tour runs in choppier conditions and is recommended only for strong swimmers.

Do I need to know how to swim?

You need to be able to swim lightly with a life vest on. Good upper body strength is required to operate the sea scooter.

What's included in the price?

Sea scooter, mask, snorkel, fins, lifejacket, upper wetsuit top, prescription mask if needed, and free underwater photos. Video packages are sold separately.

Are photos and videos included?

Free photos are included. Full video packages are sold separately and not part of the base tour price.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The beach area and facilities are wheelchair accessible, but the sea scooter activity itself requires swimming ability and upper body strength.

Can children do this tour?

Infants and small children can be present (in a pram or stroller on the beach), but the scooter activity requires moderate fitness and swimming ability.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and your desire to snorkel. All snorkeling gear, wetsuits, and safety equipment are provided.