Maui Adventure Tours Kayak Company — Attraction in Maui

Update 4/19: Meat Ox, aka Wes's, response to me is a another example of why I do NOT recommend this company. Rather than listen to the complaints and criticism of a customer, he chooses to negate my review as false, and use a derogatory term like "haole" to describe me. This was my experience and apparently not an isolated incident as other reviews, both recent and years ago, state similar things. Wish we could have experienced a 5, or even a 4, star review like some other folks, but instead he chooses to tell me to stay on the mainland. Real professional. 🙄

I thought this would be the highlight of our trip but ended up being awful. The guide said to us at the beginning, partly under his breath, he wouldn't take kayakers out in these conditions, so while the water looked nice in the morning, he obviously knew what was coming. We had second thoughts right then and should have gone with our gut. One guide seemed like he was just out there to kayak on his own and was rarely near the group, lance worked his ass off because on the way back one kayaker capsized and she could never get back in her kayak so she hung on to Lance's kayak while she swam back. I felt terrible for him ( and her!!) because it was very windy and he was right - beginning kayakers should not have been out there that day. Totally felt like the show must go on because otherwise refunds would have had to be issued resulting in revenue loss. Wes even solicited my young adult sons help to ensure safe return to shore of all kayakers and being the polite young man he is, he obliged but he was a GUEST also and should not have shouldered that responsibility and as a mom, I was concerned for his safety in those high winds. I've never had to paddle so hard against winds to get back. And then when we anchored to snorkel, I was afraid of not being able to get back in my kayak in those winds so we pretty much sat there for an hour in the baking sun while Wes enjoyed snorkeling. And what the hell is was up with his constant flipper slapping on the water? Even i know enough to know you won't get a whale to come in that close to shore! All he kept talking about was nonsense with calling out to the whales. Goes without saying that our guides didn't seem to get along, bickering, etc. but I can't blame Lance on that. Poor man was shot with all that paddling trying to keep the capsized kayaker safe. This was the worst kayaking experience I've had, and I've kayaked many...

We really enjoyed this tour and thought it was a great value for the price (just renting a kayak on your own for a few hours would probably cost about the same). We got lucky and had a private tour just for the two of us, apparently there are usually at least 8. There were no frills in terms of hospitality or showmanship which we were totally fine with. Basically you show up and they give you gear and teach you how to get into the kayak, then you kayak for about a mile. They of course can’t control the whales but we got lucky and saw several whales right away and they got really close to us! It was very cool to be on the water with them as opposed to up high in a big boat. Our guide Wesley was very knowledgeable about the whales and where to go to see them. He had a microphone that he dropped into the water to heat the whales which was super cool. After maybe an hour (and once we realized the whales were pretty much gone) we kayaked to the snorkel spot and saw beautiful fish and sea turtles. One sea turtle actually came up to us at the surface! I will say that it’s a lot of kayaking so if you aren’t very active this tour may not be for you. We don’t kayak much but we are active people and we definitely got a good workout in doing this, also trying to keep up with Wesley because he is clearly a pro. ...

My husband and I took this trip yesterday morning. We really enjoyed being able to get out on the water in a group, with an experienced guide, something we wouldn't have felt safe doing on our own. We were blessed with fairly calm water and great sunshine, so no one got sick on the trip (something I hadn't thought of with kayaking). Red and Wes got us all geared up and in our kayaks, and took us out about a mile, where we were able to see whales all around us (mostly from afar). We did have the privilege of having a momma whale in the water maybe 300 ft. in front of us sitting quietly on the surface for quite a while - nursing or even giving birth? Also, saw a few turtles. Snorkeling spot was nice clear water, but not a lot of fish - did see a few turtles swim by. Equipment was all good quality. Snorkeling is done out of the kayak, so we learned to hop off and get back in - not easy for everyone, but doable. Be aware, the dry bags available are small - about the size of a quart zip lock bag, so don't bring any non-essentials that can't get wet; phones and keys fit fine. Overall, I would definitely recommend this trip - beautiful area, good equipment, friendly guides and well worth the cost to get out on the water!! Thanks,...