I booked their beginner friendly snorkeling tour for my 4 kids and husband. No one in our group had ever tried this before so I booked it since they advertise as beginner friendly, and the cost was reasonable. I wasn't sure what to expect since they don't have too many reviews.. but we still gave it a shot. Everyone had an AMAZING TIME!! Jason (the owner), is such a patient, kind, and just super chill guy. We arrived quite early since the kids were being inpatient and wanted to get in the water, so we decided to hang out on the beach near the meetup location. My kids began to explore and wanted to try to snorkel on their own with some masks we had purchased the day before. We settled down near a gentleman who we later realized was Jason. Before even realizing that we were part of his next tour, he was kind enough to help my kids and explained that the location they were trying to enter the water through was unsafe as the strong waves could cause them to injure themselves against the high coral. He guided them to a sand path which he explained was much safer. After some conversation, we both realized he was our tour guide! We immediately felt confident that it would be a great experience. Once the tour began, I just can't say enough about how patient Jason and his crew are. They explain everything very throughly and carefully. Jason let the group know that people who felt comfortable would be led out to deeper waters, but if anyone did not feel comfortable, they could stay in the more shallow waters with a guide. My kids decided to go out to deeper waters and saw turtles, fish, sea cucumbers, pencil urchins, and a lot of reef. Jason was super educational about marine life. He also did not have a time limit! I thought I read it wrong, but he confirmed in person that the tour was unlimited and we were free to snorkel until we decided we were done. Other companies I had looked into appeared to have a 2 hour limit. Jason goes above and beyond, and I would definitely recommend him! I was reading through the 1 star reviews because that's just what I do when it doesn't make sense, and I just can't really believe those reviews, especially since they appear to be fake accounts. Give these guys a try, you won't regret it! Thank you again Jason! Our tour with you was the highlight of our trip. My kids and husband will always remember this experience! read more

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My husband and I are not swimmers at all, but when I saw Gabriel's Ohana advertisement for snorkeling for beginners I called them up for more info. The woman on the phone was so helpful and reassuring, she explained that they've taken people out who have never been in the ocean or even a pool. They also honored the Groupon price, so I booked over the phone. What an amazing experience with Jason (who is Gabriel's dad). He was patient, gentle, and full of so much information. He really put me and the rest of the group at ease. Luckily, the two other couples with us weren't swimmers either, so we were all on the same level. Jason brought up many sea creatures for us to hold, and we saw turtles and live coral. Since I don't swim, I never thought I could experience anything like this. It was truly magical, and I'll never forget my first time. The next time I'm in Maui, I will definitely book again. Thank you Jason for a wonderful experience and memories that will stay with me forever. read more

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Amazing experience very nice family saw turtles and other aquatic creatures! Very affordable and fun shout out to Gabriel! Would go again!

Great experience -- wish we did this at the start of our vacation! Gabriel's Ohana were informative and supportive of all levels of kayakers and snorkelers (I had a vest on the snorkel trip and it was great!). The clear kayaks with pontoons were super stable and offered ok views of some fish although most were too hard for me to see; regardless, it was pretty cool for an immersive experience. We saw several turtles along the way -- that was definitely the highlight of the kayaking part. For the snorkeling, Jason was hands-down, one of the nicest and most knowledgeable guides I've met. He showed us all the sights (including a submerged turtle! YMMV) and he showed great empathy (he called them his Spidey-senses) and was checking in with all the participants as we went further out. Recommendation: book asap. book the late session if there is one, the unlimited snorkel time is key! read more

Gabriel's Ohana - Ready for kayaking! - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

Beginning the day before our kayak and snorkel tour, Gabriel's Ohana team was informative and helpful. The directions provided by the team were perfect and made them easy to find on the side of the busy highway. Everything was set up and ready to go (thanks to Nik) and we were greeted right away by the owner Jason (Gabriel's Dad) and Nik. They got us rash guards and life jackets and also had small dry bags to borrow if needed. They provided water bottles, granola bars and fresh cut pineapple for us to enjoy, as well as reef safe sunscreen which was wonderful! The clear kayaks with pontoon supports made kayaking super easy! During the kayak tour Jason provided continuous knowledge of the reefs, the islands and was great at keeping us interested throughout the tour. I think the best part was that it felt like we were out with friends and not just another paying customer. It was such a laid back adventure that we easily got caught up in the aloha spirit and lost track of time we were having so much fun. Snorkeling was the cherry on top of the adventure. Jason shared his knowledge of the area and invited us to interact safely with a couple sea creatures, while not disturbing the reef or its life. We saw several different fish species, sea turtles and (from afar) even humpback whale exhalations as well as their backs/tails. Jason was extremely patient with the clients who were less experienced kayakers and snorkelers; educating, encouraging and helping ensure they were safe and comfortable the whole time. Gabriel's Ohana truly is an Ohana (family) business where you are treated as family and will leave fully satisfied with your experience. Mahalo Jason and Nik! read more

Gabriel's Ohana - Sea Turtle / Honu - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

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They took excellent care of us (3 in our party have disabilities and needed extra help loading and dismounting the kayaks). Jason and Gabriel were kind, funny and engaging. the weather was cooperative and the water was so clear. recommend this tour! read more

I want to thank Gabriel and his father for an incredible snorkeling experience. This was the first snorkeling event for my family and they did great. They were very patient and worked well with the entire group in order to get them out to see the reefs. This is obviously a labor of love for them and they have a great way of bringing to to those of us with no knowledge. Highly recommend this event. read more

A must if visiting Maui. Jason and Gabriel were the best hosts and so full of knowledge. Definitely the aloha experience. We had our 2 girls with us and Jason was so kind and attentive to all of their needs and safety. It was so interactive and girls loved hearing about the island and ocean! Jason got starfish and sea cucumbers for all of us to see and touch. Quite the experience and girls absolutely learned so much as did we. It was a very personalized experience and we will be coming back to see him! Jason was so chill and relaxed and we got to spend extra time in the water snorkeling, even got to see turtles! He truly is a gem and an amazing host! You can tell that Jason and Gabriel are truly genuinely passionate and love what they do. Jason was one of the kindest and friendliest person we got to meet in Maui. Thank you Jason and Gabriel for your warm hospitality. read more

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Our booking for 13 Feb 2026 had to be cancelled because of very high winds in Maui. Even though I was disappointed that our clear bottom kayak experience was cancelled I truly appreciate they put safety above profits. We have booked a kayak adventure with Gabriel's Ohana in previous years. It was a fabulous experience. I highly recommend Gabriel's Ohana for ocean kayaking adventure while in Maui. read more

Incredible experience on and off the water. From the very first call to when we waved goodbye after our adventure, we were well cared for and it's clear that this company loves Maui and its adventurers in equal measure. The highlight was the personal service and care for our six year olds. We will absolutely return and have already told friends what a great experience this was. read more

[Jan. 2025] We had a great time on the morning whale watching kayak tour! We are very grateful for having a great guide. He was very knowledgeable, and we learned a lot about the islands as well. Everything was well coordinated and ran smoothly. We will never forget this experience. I did get hungry midway in, so I am glad I had brought an extra granola bar. Even though they gave us one and they had extra sunscreen just in case. The pineapple at the end was yum. read more

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I wanted to say all good things about the snorkeling, but I can't. My husband and I took the snorkeling on December 24th. Both of us are non-swimmers. There were a total of 3 instructors helping the team of probably 10-12 people. The lady instructor was a non-English speaker, which was disappointing. She couldn't give instructions on how to de-fog the snorkel mask and we had to figure out that the baby shampoo had to be washed out completely from another instructor. There was another person who was also a non-swimmer. She was clinging onto the main instructor and he was pretty much carrying her for the entire trip from the beach to the deep ocean. Mind you...I am also a non-swimmer and scared to death. Yes, I had a life jacket on, but my rational mind is not working. The two other instructors went ahead with the majority of the team. My husband's snorkel gear didn't work out, and he had to drop his efforts very early and had to stay back at the beach. I am now going forward with this main instructor after my husband's failed attempt, with the lady who is clinging onto him. I am terrified as well, but since I wasn't clingy, the instructor decided to ignore me and he swam with the clingy lady fast to catch up to the main group. Halfway into the ocean, my snorkel gear came lose, and I had to struggle to keep it back on. I had to jump on a corral reef to pause and put it back on. The instructor shouted asking me to get off the reef, but now I am losing my confidence again. He however came back to help me, all the while dragging the clingy lady, but now I lost all my confidence. I decided to turn back. Somehow made it to the shore, swimming with my life jacket, scared to death. They didn't give attention to all non-swimmers equally. They could have taken us all in a boat to the ocean and allowed us to snorkel, instead of asking us to swim all the way from the beach. read more

Gabrielle and Jason were truly amazing! Gabrielle took us out on a double clear kayak ( perfect & calm morning) and was so knowledgeable about Maui and Hawaiian culture. Then we came back, Jason (the Dad and owner) cut a fresh pineapple and introduced us to Li Hing (yum). After our snack, Jason took us out snorkeling. He was so patient and helpful with my mom, helping her and guiding her the whole way. What a perfect morning in Maui! The whole family was helpful, recommending places to eat and things to see. I'd highly recommend this tour to anyone! They truly at the Aloha spirit. read more

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Was perfect for first timers. We had never snorkeled before and went out with Gabriel's. It was a blast!

Jason and Gabriel were amazing! They were very helpful, knowledgeable and entertaining. I would highly recommend them read more

What a fantastic morning. This is a family owned business, and it shows in the care and attention they provide. Gabriel was very knowledgeable about the area, and was a fantastic guides. At the last minute my husband and I asked if we could add whale watching and snorkeling. Gabriel's Ohana happily added these and we are so glad we did. We rowed pretty far out, and we're able to see a few whales in the distance. Snorkeling was amazing. We saw so many different types of beautifully colored fish and even saw a turtle. If you have a chance, book this experience. It is so worth it. read more

Gabriel's Ohana - We're ready to Kayak. - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

Had a great time kayaking and snorkeling. This was my first time and I was skeptical because I cannot swim. Jason, aka the "Florida Man," and his two sons were amazing. Super helpful with all of my questions and Jason is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to nature and the ocean. He also provided entertaining stories while we kayak, which calmed my nerves. He should have his own show. Highly recommend them for this experience, you will not be disappointed. read more

Gabriel's Ohana - Beautiful mountain while kayaking - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

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Had a great time out kayaking with Gabriel's Ohana. Our guide Jason was such a cool dude and a wealth of local knowledge so much fun to listen to! read more

Gabriel's Ohana - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

This was an amazing experience for us. Jason was such a great guide for our excursion. We had such a great time. I would definitely come back. Highly recommend this if you're looking for a more personable experience. read more

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Did a snorkeling tour with Jason and Gabriel today and it was a wonderful time! He spent so much time teaching us all about the island, the sea creatures, fish, and island ways. He and his son took great care of us with pineapple, water, gear, and lots of personal tidbits. I'd highly recommend him for a great day of kayaking and snorkeling! read more

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Incrieble family business, these group of guys are so passionate about teaching and ensuring you have a great time and WELL worth your money/time. I had the time of my life and would 100% do it again. Personally I say THANK YOU to these guys. Maui still needs your help and these guys are Maui to their core. read more

Gabriel's Ohana - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

Highly recommend going with Gabriel's Ohana, you feel like family by the end of the tour. They were so friendly, informative and extremely patient with our 4 year old. It was our first time kayaking and snorkeling in Maui and we had the best experience. I would give 100 stars if I could. read more

This was one of the best tour guide experiences I have ever had. We originally booked for the clear kayak and snorkeling tour, but the water was too murky to see anything. So instead, they offered to take us whale sight seeing. Gabriel's Ohana has a lot of integrity. They would rather cancel the tour altogether if the weather doesn't work out than to continue and risk you having a bad time. Jason has an amazing vibe and was great to hang out with all morning. He is very knowledgeable and has a lot of insight/stories to share. There was never a boring moment with him. His passion for the waters was very engaging and it made the experience with him a fun time. It felt like we were tagging along with a friend who was going to go out to watch some whales. Just a chill fun time. I highly recommend you book with Gabriel's Ohana for any of their kayaking tours. I guarantee you will have a good time! read more

Gabriel's Ohana Clear Kayak Tour was simply AMAZING! Jason and his son, Gabriel, were THEE BEST! From the time we made the reservation to the end of our tour, they were a CLASS ACT! While visiting Maui, the day prior to our tour, my 77yr old Mother took a pretty hard fall, so we contemplated not going on the tour! Oh, am I glad we went. I told them about her fall and they immediately went into action to make sure she not only went on the tour, but thoroughly enjoyed it. They really rolled out the red carpet for my Mom. It was a blessing and truly touched my heart. Jason and Gabriel are a DYNAMIC DUO! They work well together! Jason was knowledgeable, passionate, and hilarious! I would highly recommend this tour to everyone who visits Maui! Their passion and love for people, the experience, animals, nature, and the beautiful and massive ocean is truly evident in their presence, being, and delivery. Thank you soooooo very much for making this such a memorable experience for us! Continued love, light, and blessings to you, your business and family! Until our next visit ..Mahalo read more

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What a fantastic morning we had with Jason from Gabriel's Ohana! We did a clear bottom kayak tour of the reef at Olowalu, and it was spectacular. Jason and his son Gabriel are so knowledgeable about the reef and the history of island, it was a joy to learn from them. The greatest gift, however, was spending a few hours with this father-son team in their element. This is not just a job for these guys. It is a calling. Their enthusiasm is amazing- if it weren't for their obvious knowledge, you'd think that they were seeing it all for the first time, such was their excitement. It was such a joy to see someone doing what he loves every day and recognizing how blessed he is to be able to do it. We only did one kayak tour during our stay, so I can't honestly compare it to others, but I can't imagine a better morning out on the water or a better host while we were out there. read more

I can't recommend Gabriel's Ohana highly enough; if 6 stars was an option I'd pick that! Our family was visiting Hawaii for the first time and wanted to go snorkeling on Maui. My wife and 2 teenage boys have been snorkeling once before, but not being a strong swimmer, I was nervous and wanted to find someplace we could snorkel from shore. My wife found Gabriel's Ohana online and we picked them because they also had clear bottomed kayaks in case I wasn't comfortable snorkeling. Once we booked the tickets, we got emails with clear directions on when and where to meet, a phone number to contact and directions on how to get parked. When we arrived we were warm greeted by Gabriel and his brother, along with his dad Jason. They provided everyone with fins, masks, rash guards, sunblock, and water. We started in the kayaks and Jason, who is a natural teacher, had put squirt guns in each kayak to keep the younger kids entertained if they weren't interested in what was happening. Of course my teenage boys were the first to start squirting people! After paddling around in the clear kayaks and learning a lot from Jason, we all went to shore and prepared to snorkel. They made sure everyone was properly set up and comfortable in the water and then lead us out to snorkel. They were constantly pointing out interesting things, explaining the reef life, and generally having a wonderful time. It's obvious that all 3 of them love the area and love snorkeling, and Jason's natural aptitude as a teacher kept even our boys engaged. We had such a wonderful time that we went out with them again 3 days later, which wasn't even in our itinerary. I highly, highly recommend Gabriel's Ohana! read more

great, excellent tour and guide. Gabriel was very knowledgeable and so full of energy!! the ocean was calm and warm- we saw many whales that Gabriel scoped out for us- 3-4 flukes which were really close and a few mama whales swimming with calves- one breach off in the distance! Just an epic day with wonderful people! read more

I would give more than 5 stars if I could!!!! Our kayak trip was absolutely exceptional! Jason and Nick were awesome from start to finish! We had a slightly windy day, but that didn't take away from the stunning beauty and overall amazing experience. Jason's enthusiasm was boundless and his knowledge was impressive. We will undoubtedly book this tour every time we come to Maui. If you want an unforgettable experience, we highly recommend this one! The Gabriel family are the very essence of the "Aloha Spirit" and we were lucky to be able to share the day with them! Megghen & Brian read more

Beautiful experience. Jason was so nice and willing to share his love of Maui with everyone. The beach and the reef were amazing. What a great time! read more

Jason (father) and Gabriel (son) took 12 of us out in the clear bottom Kayaks. Nick stayed on shore to watch the cars which was really nice. Jason is very knowledgeable about the history of Maui and the Hawaiian reefs. You can tell he truly cares about Maui and he also cares about people. We didn't see much wildlife while we were out (was just nice being out on the water) so he offered to let those who wanted to, snorkel afterward (using his gear). I would love to take their whale tour if we are ever here in Jan/Feb. Tip: book your tour for the beginning of your trip in case weather prevents you from going out. You can hopefully reschedule for another date before you leave! read more

Gabriel's was fantastic, the older guide with the beard seemed the most excitable and engaged with the tour vs. the other guides, and he was the most fun to talk to. At the end of the tour, they surprised us with fresh pineapple and homemade bracelets! How amazing and gracious! I wish I hadn't gotten motion sickness so I could really be present during the tour. read more

Such a wonderful time we had with Jason and Gabriel! Jason is so knowledgeable and interesting. You can tell how much he loves and respects the ocean and wildlife. We will definitely book this adventure again on any future trips to Maui! You can't go wrong with Gabriel's Ohana! read more

Jason and Gabriel are the best Father son combo tour guides on Maui! The booking process was very easy and we had so much fun chasing whale. The tours starts early! Make sure you drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest the night before because it will get hot and you will get excited ! The tour started around 7-730am to almost noon. Jason had breakfast ready for me as we talked stories and went over safety and precautions over the water and basics dos and don'ts. Jason is very thorough and will make sure your comfortable no matter if your an experienced kayaker or have zero experience. It is better book an earlier tour as we get to get in during clear and In pristine condition , the water is super calm in the morning. The tour was very informative and safe. I learned a lot about the whales, history of Maui the channels,that surrounds it and all the other islands around Maui as Jason was a welll of knowledge. He made the tour so much fun as we chased whales in a very careful and informative manner. The tour felt very intimate and I learned so much about whales! It was hands-down one of the most closest encounter with the mama whale and the baby whale for me. After we had the awesome encounter, we snorkeled and learned a lot about sea life, ocean safety and saving maui reefs. I loved it so much can't wait to book again!! Jason and Gabriel are ohana after the tour, as they made me feel safe and I felt taken care of with great memories we created. Highly recommend booking with Gabriel's Ohana! They really are No ka Oi! -the very best! Can't wait to go again! read more

Very Disappointing. This trip did not match my expectations as based upon the description. We booked the trip as our son is not comfortable snorkeling. The trip description lists a variety of sea creatures one might see. The boats were not easy to see through, similar to a fogged up snorkel mask with scratches. I figured out that the only way to see anything was to put some water in it and swish it around. The guide handed out squirt guns to all of the kids and encouraged them to squirt him which I understand might be a needed diversion during the scientific description of the reef, of which there was some. I kept waiting for him to stop his talk and take us to where we would see things. It quickly became clear that time was not coming. He made no effort to look for anything. I tried to venture out to look for fish, eels or any of the things the trip suggested was the focus but other than the coral and a few scurrying fish I saw very little. When someone would yell I thought they might have seen something exciting but it was always a reaction to the kids squirting the guns. When I asked one if the guides if we might see some of the creatures in trip description he said when we snorkeled we would see things, that the boats scare them away. As my son does not feel comfortable snorkeling, which they knew, the trip was not productive or enjoyable for us. The lead guide talked from the start to the end of the trip and while he and t other guides were very nice I regretted spending the time and money while in such a beautiful place as Maui. I hope to provide fair warning to others so that you at least know what to expect. read more

Great place to kayak and snorkel! We definitely enjoyed the activity with Jason and his son's - Gabriel and Nicholas. They are really passionate about the job, Jwas very impressed by Jason's knowledge about the marine life and he is very friendly and my kids enjoyed a lot. They are super friendly and patient with kids and people who are doing snorkelling for the first time. Definitely recommend it! read more

My friend and I booked the clear kayaking tour with Gabriel's Ohana for our last full day on the island. I'm honestly not the type to write reviews, but it was such an awesome experience and easily one of our top 3 activities during the entire trip! Due to unforeseen weather conditions, it got a little bit windy so our kayaking tour ended up being slightly more strenuous than planned. It was not their fault, and I still had fun peering through the clear kayak, listening to Jason's stories, and getting a good upper body workout in. After the kayak tour, Jason so kindly invited me and my friend to the snorkel tour since he felt bad about the weather conditions. The snorkel tour was amazing and probably one of the best snorkeling experiences I've ever had. Jason guided us and made sure that everyone was safe and within a reasonable distance at all times. He took his time to show and educate us about the different marine life found on the reefs. My friend and I had a blast this entire trip. Gabriel, Jason, and Nicholas were all so sweet and nice, really made us feel like part of the fam. Thank you Gabriel's Ohana! I would highly recommend and would definitely sign up for a tour again in the future! :) read more

Jason and his son Gabriel are OUTSTANDING! They were able to accommodate a last minute, PRIVATE, sea kayak snorkeling tour for my wife and I on our honeymoon, AND on my birthday! Needless to say, it was the single most memorable birthday I have had yet! Jason and Gabriel are simply wonderful!, and they are so easy to work with, and they're fun! Not too mention they are both SUPER knowledgeable about the island, and the respective eco systems, including plant, fish, and coral wildlife. Their equipment is top of the line, their personalities are infectious, and their tour is unmatched. If you want a snorkeling tour that feels like you're with family, including all the fun, but without the arguments, then look no further! BOOK THE TODAY! read more

A true Ohana experience! Knowledgeable kind and charismatic family runs this business and they've thought of everything to make their guests comfortable and safe while providing a good time. My husband and I enjoyed and appreciated the top notch customer service! read more

This was the best tour of our trip. small group with personalized attention. very knowledgeable of history of islands as well as the best places to snorkel. strongly recommend this tour. read more

Best experience hands down!! The whole staff was extremely welcoming and friendly upon arrival. I'd give more stars in customer service if I could! Taylor was our tour guide and took us to really good spots on the kayak. During the tour we saw a ton of fish, coral, and even a sea turtle! Clear kayak is definitely the way to go. Afterwards we went snorkeling to get an even better experience seeing the wildlife Maui has to offer. After the tour was done and we had complimentary pineapple (a must try) Jason and the whole staff team helped us get our car out from being stuck in the sand. These people are genuinely passionate for what they do and make sure the customers get the best experience they have to offer. If you're looking to go kayaking I would not recommend ANYONE ELSE besides this team right here. Would book again if we came back to visit! read more

Gabriel's Ohana - Clear kayak - Whale Watching Tours Near Me