Surf Shack Maui — Local services in Maui

Surf Shack is where we booked a kayak/snorkel tour with Kelii’s kayak. Upon confirming the tour was even happening on Sunday because the guy in the store didn’t even think they had them. Once we paid, we asked about details and he told us we would get a call or email same day with details of our 7:45am tour the next morning. We never got any calls or emails after repeated checks. He gave no other details except that the tour may or may not leave from Makena Landing depending on weather. Right around 5pm we called the store back and found that it was closed. We left a voicemail. The next morning at 7am (still no info) we found the direct number for Kelii’s Kayak and called them. They told us we need to rush NOW 20mins down to Makena Landing if we want to make the tour because we were supposed to be there at 7am for orientation. At first the girl on the phone wasn’t even sure we had a reservation. We immediately rushed out the door as is, of corse forgetting sunscreen and motion sickness pills or any kind of food. This resulted in an extremely sub-par experience and my husband getting sick/burning. I have nothing bad to say about Kelii’s and our tour guide Curtis was very pleasant and we thank them for waiting. As to the guy at surf shack, I hope you don’t keep the job, you were rude, standoffish, and generally low on any interest of dealing with customers, you just didn’t want to be there, so PLEASE LEAVE and stop ruining people’s experience that may be once...

They have two locations but this is the one that comes up first for me and when you book through the website it sends you to the other location. I wanted to make sure people know what they're in for when sent to the other location. A big part of the low rating has to do with paying for 2 hour instruction and our instructor, Kyle, cutting out after a hour and 20 minutes. As a massage therapist if someone pays me for a 2 hour massage ya don't stop 40 min early. There was a family with a young daughter so he focused on her which was totally fine & understandable but when they wanted to leave early, that would have been a great opportunity to give us some instruction but he just left and never returned. The direction given was pretty minimal. The gear was falling apart. When we got back to the shop there was a different older gentlemen at the counter who didn't say two words to us, let alone ask us anything about the experience and our instructor was gone for the day. My family who lives on island usually goes to Wave Rider and loves it but I always like to try out other smaller operations. Working in the service industry in a resort town, its almost next to impossible not to get a generous cash tip from me but i just couldn't in this case. Will definitely go out again but not with...

I love Maui and really wanted to try kayaking. I love the water and always come here to just snorkel. This time I wanted to so do something more...I went on a private tour with James from #SurfShack because he was super patient, helpful, information and just generally fun to hang with when trying to get me to stand up on a stand up paddle board(see my other review regarding stand up paddle). This time I went on a kayak and snorkeling tour to see the Turtles...we drove for a short distance to a cove....and boy did I, see several of various sizes.... WOW! Of course getting on an off the kayak was hard for me but James quick on his feet and wanting me to enjoy my tour. Made it so I could kayak to a small beach, get off, go snorkeling to where the Turtles were then go back to the beach, get on the kayak and paddle to where the car was for the short trip back. I know that sounds like a lot but really, since I got to go at my own pace and enjoy the sights, sounds and the relaxation of it all...it was the best. A tour guide that makes it about me and the enjoyment of my tour is worth every bit of the 5 stars. James was kind, friendly, experienced, helpful and like I mentioned a person you want to hang with to do stuff. Thanks James. I had a blast. #BeachFresh # WileysSurfer...