Snorkeling at Turtle Town, Maui: Sea Scooter with Guide

Sea scooters, sea turtles, and a guide who knows where to find them

Snorkel Turtle Town in Maui using Yamaha sea scooters with a local guide leading a small group through the reef. You'll spot Hawaiian green sea turtles, rays, octopus, eels and butterfly fish in their natural habitat while covering more ground than traditional snorkeling. The area is remote and uncrowded, with all equipment provided and a safety briefing before you enter the water.

The experience

The sea scooter does the work so you don't have to. Instead of kicking hard to cover distance on the reef, you hold on and let the Yamaha motor move you through Turtle Town's underwater landscape. Your guide leads the way, pointing out where the green sea turtles hang out, which crevices hide octopus, and how to spot rays gliding across the sand. You'll see butterfly fish, eels, vibrant coral and whatever else the reef is showing that day. Every trip is different because the ocean is different. The whole thing runs about 90 minutes in the water.

Turtle Town sits in Makena, on Maui's south shore, far enough from the main snorkeling beaches that you won't be jostling for space. The guide handles navigation and marine life spotting. You handle steering the scooter and staying comfortable. Before you get in, there's a safety briefing and a tutorial on how the sea scooter works. It's intuitive, but the guide walks you through it. Premium snorkeling gear comes with the booking: mask, fins, snorkel, lifejacket, wetsuit top and sea scooter. If you need a prescription mask, bring your prescription or let them know ahead of time and they'll have one ready.

Photos and video come back with you. The guide captures moments underwater, and you get the files so you have proof of what you saw. Small groups mean your guide has time to help you get comfortable and to notice what you're interested in: turtles, or the smaller creatures, or the structure of the reef itself.

What’s included

• Upper wetsuit top.
• prescription mask if needed.
• snorkel, mask, fins and lifejacket.
• Yamaha sea scooter.
• free photos and videos from your guide.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs every day at 08:00, 10:00 and 12:00, from US$ 149 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 4 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:00 and 12:00Last departure this season: 31 Jan 2027Another time? ›

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

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

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (5 to 75 years) · Under 5: 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 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?The sea scooter cuts the physical effort of traditional snorkeling, so you can cover more reef and stay longer without tiring: ideal if you want to explore Turtle Town's full range without the strain of constant kicking.

Traveler reviews

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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 it like to use a sea scooter if I've never tried one before?

Sea scooters are designed to be intuitive. You get a full tutorial on the surface before entering the water, and the guide stays with you to make sure you're comfortable operating it. The motor does the propulsion. You steer and control your depth, so it feels more like riding than swimming.

How often do you actually see sea turtles at Turtle Town?

Turtle Town is one of Maui's most reliable spots for encountering Hawaiian green sea turtles in their natural habitat. Your guide knows where they typically rest and feed, but sightings depend on ocean conditions and the turtles' own movements on any given day.

Is Turtle Town crowded, or is it a quieter snorkeling spot?

Turtle Town is remote and far from the main beaches, so it draws fewer people than the popular shore-entry snorkeling sites. Small group sizes on each tour keep the experience personal and give you room to move without feeling packed in.

What marine life besides turtles might I see?

Rays, octopus, eels, butterfly fish and other reef dwellers are common sightings. The reef itself is vibrant with coral, and what you encounter shifts with the season and conditions, so every trip reveals something different.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to do this?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The sea scooter handles propulsion, but you're in the ocean for about 90 minutes and need to be comfortable in the water. The guide provides instruction and stays with your group throughout.