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WHERE TO STAND UP PADDLE BOARD
ON THE TROPIC ISLAND OF MAUI
STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING IN MAUI
Maui's beautiful soft sand beaches and crystal clear oceans is the kind of place that paddle boarders would love to do stand up paddle boarding. The huge variety of aquatic animals that can be seen brings in comfort of your board.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting and paddle boarding in Maui, we’ve come up with 8 of the top places to SUP that you really won’t want to miss. So, without further ado, let’s spill the beans on where to paddle board in Maui.
KAANAPALI BEACH
Kaanapali Beach is an incredible stand up paddle boarding destination since it is well-known for its daily cliff diving ceremony, which happens on the beach's northernmost cliffs.
The beach is home to Hawaii’s first-ever planned resort, a world-class shopping complex, and a renowned whaling museum. Every evening at sunset, a diver lights torches along the cliff and dives off the rock.
Visitors to the beach can also test their bravery by jumping off the rocks, or they can simply grab some snorkel gear and witness the beauty that lies beneath the water's edge.
Whether you have an inflatable SUP or a hard board, you can set up your board and set off paddling into the crystal blue waters from the shoreline. The beach at Kaanapali is soft sand and a perfect launching spot for a paddle board. Once you’re done paddling for the day, you can spend the afternoon rehydrating in one of the many beachside restaurants.
HONOLUA BAY
Another beautiful and incredible beach in Maui is Honolua Bay, and is on Maui’s northwest shore, and during wintertime, when the waves are big, it becomes a firm favorite amongst the local surfing community.
The water in Honolua Bay is so clear that you can even spot Hawaiian green sea turtles while standing on the deck of your board. The calmer months at Honolua see an influx of snorkelers and scuba divers thanks to the Mokuleia Marine Line Conservation that has created an ideal habitat for a selection of marine life and tropical fish species.
On the days when the water is particularly calm, you can even practice SUP yoga or different kinds of SUP fitness, all with a beautiful backdrop of palm trees, blue skies, and picturesque waters.
KIHEI
Back in the day, the Hawaiian Royalty was a regular visitor in Kihei beach due to its clear views of West Maui, Lanai, Molokini, and Kahoolawe and picturesque scenery. Kihei is located on the sunniest and driest end of Maui, the southwest shore.
Kihei is now a popular spot for for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, and of course, stand up paddle boarding. The best part in Kihei that during your paddle you may catch glimpses of giant humpback whales, which it is a sight you don’t see every day.
Kihei's Kalama Beach Park is just behind the shoreline and area features stretches of palm trees, a skate park, shaded lawns, a roller-skating rink, picnic pavilions, baseball field, and even courts for a selection of sports.
As with many other places on Maui, it’s a great idea to take some snorkel gear so you can appreciate the marine life underneath you and Kihei is a fantastic SUPing option if you want to spend the entire day at the beach front as it has all the facilities you could possibly need for a day out at the seaside.
KAPALUA BAY
As the bay is protected by two reefs that form the C-shaped cove, Kapalua Bay's calm, sheltered cove has beautiful blue waters and minimal waves. It’s actually said to be one of the calmest bodies of water on Maui.
Kapalua Bay is a superb Stand Up Paddle Boarding destination on Maui’s northwest shore since it is a great practice location that has easy access to the water and shallower areas so you can gain your confidence on the board. The snorkeling experience here is also endless and many people flock to the bay because of it.
It’s important to note that this beach does get extremely busy during the high season so it's suggested to arrive early in the morning to ensure yourself a parking spot. The beach also has public restrooms and a parking area that is just a short walk away from the sand.
it is also very important to always pack a water bottle for when you’re out on your SUP as Maui is a tropical island with relatively high temperatures all year round. Although beaches like Kapalua have cafes and restaurants close by, it’s always better to have your own supply of water to prevent dehydration, especially if you’re far out in the ocean paddling.
NAPILI BAY
The bay has distinctive reefs that are regularly frequented by sea turtles, and the abundance of coral is also home to many fish species making it yet another great snorkel location. Napili Bay also has white sand beaches that gently slope into the ocean’s turquoise water.
As the waters at Napili are usually calmer than other areas of Maui, it is a popular swimming, paddle boarding, and sunbathing destination. During the winter months when whales migrate to the warm waters of Maui, you can often see them swimming about in the water.
After you’ve finished paddling, you can grab a bite to eat at the Sea House restaurant that has excellent views of the water and the shoreline. As mentioned before, the waters are calm in Napili Bay, but occasionally when large swells form, the waves in the bay can be relatively big so it’s best to avoid the waters during these times. Unless you’re an avid SUP surfer that is.
MAKENA BEACH STATE PARK
Makena Beach State Park has a ⅔ of a mile of white sand that is undeveloped and you’ll truly be able to immerse yourself with nature. It also has some of the biggest and best beaches on Maui. Thanks to the two black-lava outcroppings that surround Makena, the beach and nearby ocean are protected from winds and give visitors fantastic views of Molokini and Kahoolawe.
The areas at Makena are split into two beaches that are known as Big Beach and Little Beach. Little Beach is often used as a nudist beach, even though the state park prohibits nudity, so if you’re paddling with young children, it’s probably best to stick to the waters at Big Beach.
THE MALIKO RUN
The Maliko Run is a downwinder run that starts at the north of Paia and flows down to the Kanaha Beach Park and should only be tackled by experienced paddlers. Many people have said that during their time on the Maliko Run they’ve seen animals such as sea turtles and even flying fish.
Warm water and consistent winds make the Maliko Run the holy grail of downwind paddling. To hit the wind you may have to paddle out relatively far, but once you reach the exact spot, you’ll be paddling on some of the best downwind conditions imaginable.
In order for your Stand Up Paddle Board not to float away if you happen to fall, it is highly advisable to always wear a PFD, a paddle board leash because of the fast-paced conditions of the Maliko Run.
MALAKUA BEACH
Last on the list is Malakua Beach. Maluaka Beach is slightly further up the coast from Makena beach. It is one of the quieter beaches around the are and is known as “Turtle Town” because it is one of the best beaches to see Hawaiian sea turtles and other aquatic wildlife whether that be from under the water, or from your SUP.
Malakua beach is a good destination for those wanting a more relaxing stand up paddle boarding. Experienced paddlers will get excited because waves in this beach can occasionally get big and gives a slightly more challenging adventure.
HOW TO RENT STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS WITH MAUI SUP RENTALS
Maui SUP Rentals offers High-Quality Stand Up Paddle Boards and a variety of Top SUP Brands on the market today to its loyal customers and provides affordable, convenient, and reliable rental services. Included with every SUP rental is a Carbon Fiber Adjustable Paddle.
To schedule a Free Delivery and Pick Up, click the button below.
To reserve your SUP, click the button below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS IT SAFE TO SUP IN MAUI?
Stand Up Paddle Boarding is extremely safe in Maui as the waters are relatively calm. As with other places, it is advised to wear a PFD to keep you safe in the event of an emergency, and to paddle with caution.
If the waves are too big or if there are reported swells, it’s probably best to leave the paddling to another day.
CAN YOU STAND UP PADDLE BOARD TO MOLOKINI?
Stand Up Paddle boarding to Molokini isn’t advised as the waters can be choppy and it is too great of a distance to paddle without the aid of a motor. On a boat with a motor, the ride from Maui to Molokini is roughly an hour, so I'm sure you can imagine how long it would take on a SUP.
With that being said, you can paddle board at Molokini after hitching a ride on one of the boats that departs from the Maalaea Harbor.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO STAND UP PADDLE BOARD IN MAUI?
Maui has many incredible places to paddle board which you think is best will solely come down to your personal preferences.
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Honolua Bay - For SUP surfers or to catch glimpses of sea turtles
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Kaanapali Beach - For cliff diving as well as SUPing
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Kapalua Bay - For extremely calm waters
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Kihei - For chances of seeing humpback whales and for activities to do after/before your paddle
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Makena Beach State Park - For undeveloped and picturesque coastline
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Maluaka Beach - For paddling with sea turtles
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Napili Bay - For whale watching or SUP surfing
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The Maliko Run - For downwind fast paced paddling
CAN YOU BRING YOUR OWN STAND UP PADDLE BOARD TO HAWAII?
Yes! You can take your own paddle board to Hawaii as checked in luggage on your flight. Inflatable paddle boards are your best option when traveling with a SUP because they can be deflated and stored in a medium sized backpack.
The backpack can then be checked in with your other bags and won’t be seconded to the extreme fees airlines place on oversized luggage such as surfboards and hard top boards.
Inflatables are also more convenient when catching a taxi or bus to your hotel or accommodation on the island as they can fit in the boot or backseat of any vehicle.