Kihei Adventures & Activities

Beyond the Sand: Kihei's Adventures and Activities

While you could happily spend your entire vacation with your toes in the sand, the true spirit of Kihei extends far beyond its shoreline. From learning to ride the gentle waves to watching majestic whales breach in the distance, this town is a hub of adventure and authentic local culture.

He'e Nalu (Wave Sliding): Surfing & Water Sports

The calm and predictable ocean conditions in South Maui make it a perfect environment for trying out new water sports. Mornings are almost always best, before the afternoon trade winds arrive.

Surfing at "The Cove"

If you want to learn how to surf on Maui, there is one place that stands above all others: "The Cove" at the south end of Kalama Park. The geography of this small bay creates long, slow-rolling, and gentle waves that are absolutely perfect for beginners. This ideal setup has made it the epicenter for surf schools, with many instructors setting up right across the street.

Snorkeling

For a world-class underwater experience, a boat trip to Molokini Crater is a must. This submerged volcanic caldera offers crystal-clear water with visibility often exceeding 100 feet and is teeming with hundreds of species of tropical fish. A huge advantage of staying in Kihei is that several excellent tour companies, like Redline Rafting and Maui Snorkel Charters, depart directly from the Kihei Boat Ramp, saving you a trip to the busier Maʻalaea Harbor. While you might see some fish at The Cove, the snorkeling is much better and clearer at the rocky points of the Kamaʻole beaches and Keawakapu.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) & Kayaking

The calm morning waters off Kamaʻole I and II are ideal for a peaceful paddle. You can explore the coastline and get a unique perspective of the island from the water. There are numerous rental shops conveniently located right along South Kihei Road, such as Auntie Snorkel in the Rainbow Mall and Boss Frog's in the Kamaole Center, so you can easily grab a board and walk it across the street to the beach.

Watching the Koholā (Humpback Whales): A Seasonal Spectacle

From December to April, the channel between Maui, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe becomes a sacred nursery for thousands of migrating humpback whales (koholā). They come to these warm, protected waters to mate and give birth. In Kihei, you don't just see them—you feel their presence. It's pure magic.

On the Water

Taking a boat tour gets you respectfully close to these gentle giants. The convenience of departing from the Kihei Boat Ramp means you spend less time traveling and more time whale watching. Small-group rafting tours with operators like Seafire Charters, Redline Rafting, and Blue Water Rafting offer an intimate and exhilarating experience, as their fast rafts can get to the action quickly.

From the Shore

You don't need a boat to have an incredible whale-watching experience. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has a fantastic visitor center in North Kihei. It's a wonderful, free place to learn about the whales from on-site naturalists and use binoculars to scan the horizon. Another one of my favorite spots is the elevated grassy park at Kamaʻole III. Pack a picnic, find a comfortable spot, and watch for the telltale spout or a spectacular breach.