Introduction
Canoe tours in Hawaii offer a unique way to experience the islands from the water while connecting with an important part of Hawaiian culture and history.
Blue Hawaiian Activities offers five canoe experiences across Maui and the Big Island. On Maui, choose from three traditional outrigger canoe tours, including cultural and wildlife-focused experiences. On the Big Island, two double-hull canoe adventures depart from historic Keauhou Bay.
Experiences range from one-hour paddling tours to snorkeling with sea turtles or manta rays after dark, so the right choice depends on where you’re staying and how you want to spend your time on the water.
Here’s what to know when comparing Hawaii canoe tours on Maui and the Big Island.
Key Takeaways
- Blue Hawaiian Activities offers five canoe tours across Maui and the Big Island.
- Three canoe experiences are on Maui, including cultural, turtle-watching and snorkeling options.
- Two double-hull canoe adventures depart from Keauhou Bay on the Big Island.
- Tours range from 60 minutes to 2 hours.
- Three tours include opportunities to snorkel or get in the water, including a nighttime manta ray experience.
- Minimum ages vary by tour, with some experiences welcoming children as young as 5.
The two Maui tours that share a beach
Both the Outrigger Canoe Turtle Watch and the Outrigger Canoe Snorkel & Turtle Tour depart from Mokapu Beach behind the Andaz Maui, but the two experiences are quite different.
The Outrigger Canoe Turtle Watch is a 60-minute paddle along Maui’s south shore. This family-friendly, small-group tour stays aboard the canoe and focuses on exploring the coastline and spotting Hawaiian green sea turtles.
The Outrigger Canoe Snorkel & Turtle Tour is a 2-hour experience that combines paddling with snorkeling. Approximately 90 minutes are spent in the water, giving guests a chance to snorkel with sea turtles, tropical fish and other marine life. Snorkel gear and tour photos are included, and the minimum age is 5.
For guests deciding between the two, the biggest difference is simple: choose the 1-hour Turtle Watch if you want to stay aboard the canoe, or the 2-hour Snorkel & Turtle Tour if you want to get in the water.
The cultural tour at Ka’anapali
The Outrigger Canoe Cultural Tour offers a different Maui experience, with a focus on Hawaiian history, culture and tradition.
The 60-minute tour departs from the Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort, with departures at 8:00am and 10:00am. No previous paddling experience is necessary, and the minimum age is 6.
From the water, guests learn about Hawaiian history and traditions while experiencing the coastline of West Maui from a traditional outrigger canoe.
A portion of the tour’s proceeds supports Maui Cultural Lands, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring Hawaiian cultural sites.
Transportation is not included, so guests will need to make their own way to the Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort for check-in.
The Big Island runs double-hull canoes at Keauhou Bay
The Big Island offers two double-hull canoe experiences, both departing from Keauhou Bay. A double-hull canoe connects two hulls with crossbeams, creating a stable platform for exploring the water.
The Hawaiian Double Hull Canoe Adventure is a 2-hour guided experience offered Monday through Friday.
Rather than sailing, the canoe is paddled through Keauhou Bay as guests learn about Hawaiian history, culture and the area’s connection to the ocean.
For travelers looking for a daytime canoe experience on the Big Island, this tour combines time on the water with a cultural introduction to historic Keauhou Bay.
The manta canoe offers a nighttime adventure
The Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel offers a completely different way to experience Keauhou Bay after dark.
The 1-hour tour begins with a short double-hull canoe ride to a manta ray viewing site near the mouth of the bay, approximately a quarter mile from the pier. The canoe ride takes about 5 to 10 minutes before guests enter the water for the nighttime snorkel.
Guests must be at least 5 years old and able to float and swim unassisted. Participants must also be able to climb a short ladder back into the canoe without assistance.
Snorkel equipment, wetsuits, masks, swim noodles and a custom-built lightboard are provided. Guests should bring their own towel, and food and sunscreen are not included.
Free parking is available but limited, so allow an extra 10 minutes to park and walk to the pier before check-in.
Wildlife sightings vary by tour
Three of these five canoe experiences focus on some of Hawaii’s best-known marine life: Hawaiian green sea turtles and manta rays.
On Maui, the Outrigger Canoe Turtle Watch is designed for guests who want to look for sea turtles while staying aboard the canoe. The Outrigger Canoe Snorkel & Turtle Tour adds 90 minutes of snorkeling for a closer look at turtles, tropical fish and other marine life.
On the Big Island, the Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel offers a nighttime wildlife experience. Manta rays are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. If no manta rays are seen during the tour, the operator offers guests another attempt on a different evening or during a future visit to Kona, subject to the operator’s terms and availability.
For a comparison of other ways to experience manta rays after dark, our guide to manta ray night snorkel tours covers additional options.
Age and swimming requirements
Age and swimming requirements vary among the five canoe tours, particularly depending on whether the experience includes snorkeling.
The Outrigger Canoe Cultural Tour has a minimum age of 6, while the Outrigger Canoe Snorkel & Turtle Tour and Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel welcome guests ages 5 and older.
For the manta ray snorkel, guests must be able to float and swim unassisted and climb a short ladder back into the canoe without assistance.
Guests should also be comfortable in and around the ocean for any experience that includes snorkeling. If you’re traveling with young children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer, check the requirements for your selected tour before booking.
If paddling appeals more than a guided canoe experience, our roundup of beginner-friendly kayak tours in Hawaii covers another way to explore Hawaii from the water.
Conclusion
The five canoe tours on Maui and the Big Island offer different ways to experience Hawaii from the water, from a 60-minute cultural paddle to a 2-hour snorkeling adventure and a nighttime manta ray experience.
On Maui, choose between three outrigger canoe experiences focused on Hawaiian culture, coastal scenery or snorkeling with marine life. On the Big Island, two double-hull canoe adventures explore the waters of historic Keauhou Bay by day and after dark.
The right tour depends on where you’re staying, how much time you have and whether you want to stay aboard the canoe or get into the water.
Ready to paddle? Book your Hawaii canoe tour with Blue Hawaiian Activities and our island concierges can help you find the right experience for your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the two outrigger canoe turtle tours on Maui?
Both tours depart from Mokapu Beach behind the Andaz Maui. The Outrigger Canoe Turtle Watch is a 60-minute canoe experience that keeps guests aboard the canoe, while the Outrigger Canoe Snorkel & Turtle Tour is a 2-hour experience that includes approximately 90 minutes in the water. Snorkel gear and tour photos are included with the snorkel tour, and the minimum age is 5.
What is a double-hull canoe?
A double-hull canoe consists of two parallel hulls connected by crossbeams, creating a stable platform on the water. Both Big Island canoe experiences offered by Blue Hawaiian Activities use double-hull canoes and depart from Keauhou Bay.
Do you need to swim for a Hawaii canoe tour?
A double-hull canoe consists of two parallel hulls connected by crossbeams, creating a stable platform on the water. Both Big Island canoe experiences offered by Blue Hawaiian Activities use double-hull canoes and depart from Keauhou Bay.
Do you need to know how to swim for a Hawaii canoe tour?
Swimming requirements depend on the experience. Tours that remain aboard the canoe do not have the same requirements as snorkeling tours. Guests participating in the Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel must be able to float and swim unassisted and climb a short ladder back into the canoe without assistance. Guests should have a basic level of comfort in the water for any tour that includes snorkeling.
How old do you have to be for a canoe tour in Hawaii?
A double-hull canoe consists of two parallel hulls connected by crossbeams, creating a stable platform on the water. Both Big Island canoe experiences offered by Blue Hawaiian Activities use double-hull canoes and depart from Keauhou Bay.
Do you need to know how to swim for a Hawaii canoe tour?
Swimming requirements depend on the experience. Tours that remain aboard the canoe do not have the same requirements as snorkeling tours. Guests participating in the Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel must be able to float and swim unassisted and climb a short ladder back into the canoe without assistance. Guests should have a basic level of comfort in the water for any tour that includes snorkeling.
How old do you have to be for a canoe tour in Hawaii?
Minimum ages vary by tour. The Outrigger Canoe Cultural Tour has a minimum age of 6, while the Outrigger Canoe Snorkel & Turtle Tour and Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel welcome guests ages 5 and older. Families traveling with younger children should check the requirements for their selected tour before booking.
Are manta ray sightings guaranteed on the canoe tour?
A double-hull canoe consists of two parallel hulls connected by crossbeams, creating a stable platform on the water. Both Big Island canoe experiences offered by Blue Hawaiian Activities use double-hull canoes and depart from Keauhou Bay.
Do you need to know how to swim for a Hawaii canoe tour?
Swimming requirements depend on the experience. Tours that remain aboard the canoe do not have the same requirements as snorkeling tours. Guests participating in the Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel must be able to float and swim unassisted and climb a short ladder back into the canoe without assistance. Guests should have a basic level of comfort in the water for any tour that includes snorkeling.
How old do you have to be for a canoe tour in Hawaii?
Minimum ages vary by tour. The Outrigger Canoe Cultural Tour has a minimum age of 6, while the Outrigger Canoe Snorkel & Turtle Tour and Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel welcome guests ages 5 and older. Families traveling with younger children should check the requirements for their selected tour before booking.
Are manta ray sightings guaranteed on the canoe tour?
No. Manta rays are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. If no manta rays are seen during the Canoe Adventure Manta Ray Snorkel, the operator offers another attempt on a different evening or during a future visit to Kona, subject to the operator’s terms and availability.
