Maui True North

(147 reviews)

10.7 mi

I had a surf guide with Surf Club Maui for my birthday and it was such a great experience! My…read morehusband set everything up and everyone was so nice and accommodating. I'm a little more experienced than a beginner so I wasn't looking for a full lesson. I wanted someone to paddle out with me and give me some guidance in the lineup. Sean quickly understood the assignment and made the session perfect. He also helped push my husband into some great waves while still giving me the support I wanted. We also did the photo package. Our photographer (also named Sean) got so many great shots. To top it off the woman owner gave me a hat for my birthday which I loved wearing for the rest of the trip. Thank you surf club Maui, the owner, and both Seans for making my birthday morning so special. We can't wait to come back!

My husband and I spontaneously booked this during our time in Maui as part of our honeymoon and it…read moredid not disappoint. Instruction was great, vibes were immaculate, and we had a really great time and caught a lot of waves for our first time ever on a surfboard. Our instructor Bryan was not only a good hang, but thorough and attentive in teaching us and did a great job making sure us newbies stayed safe. So glad we booked this! I see some negative comments about the photos on here and I just want to say I had a great experience with that. We did buy the album because the photos were pretty sick and it's our honeymoon. But if I didn't want to buy them it wouldn't have been a big deal as they didn't pressure us at all. In fact we approached the guy with the photos out of our own interest. No one was tryna get us to do anything. Anyways the whole experience was worth every penny!

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Action Sports Maui

4.1

(24 reviews)

0.9 mi

My Kitesurf Instructor Martine, was knowledgeable, patient, and easy to understand. He was able to…read moreaccess my initial experience level, and progressed his instructions according to my abilities. At no time was I uncomfortable with the progression of my lessons, the surroundings of where the lessons took place, or the equipment selected for my instruction. I live on the island of Oahu and went to Maui for my lessons because of the better wind and learning conditions available there. Unfortunately due to poor weather I was unable to complete all my lessons before returning to Oahu. If I should return to Maui for further instruction I would definitely contact Action Sports Maui and request to have Martine as my Kitesurf instructor. -tw

Took a private surf lesson with ASM. Having never surfed before, the instructor Pablo was great and…read morehas a wealth of knowledge. I was up standing within the hour. Highly recommend if you're in Maui!! Mahalo! They even have someone take great action shots.

G boys catching waves in Hawaii!

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Windsurfing Lessons

THE FOAM COMPANY

New owner, new spot. Missed their grand opening but caught the sales when the QKC one was closing…read moredown. My little one and I decided to take a rare walk around Maui Mall to see what is new and we went into the Foam Company because I was looking for mommy & me papale. They have them but she wasn't a fan. We ended up walking out with stickers, a Keychain and a regular hat instead. Love this new location. It clean with a great selection of boogieboards, fins, jewelry, stickers, bags, hats and clothes. Love it. Their employees were super nice especially Janelle who was so sweet to my little one. Mahalo! Support local and check them out.

took my granddaughter to purchase a new backpack the girl at the counter was very nice very…read moreprofessional knows her job well. I normally shop online today it was a different kind of shopping we decided to get a new backpack at the Foam Company We are glad we did I wanna shout out to the girl behind the counter for knowing her job she was extremely helpful and sweet. We will be back because of your service to us. My bad I didn't get her name she was a filipino maybe part hawaiian. MAHALO

10/7/23 The popular Aloha Collection

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Kanaha Kai

wonderful experience of renting windsurfing board. The price is the lowest of the area and also the…read morestore is the closest to the beach. The owner of the store is very nice and gave very detailed demo on how to set up the gears. We had a wonderful time even it's our first time doing windsurfing!!

They get 5 stars because they give very reliable and sincere service. They followed up with my…read moresurf equipment questions and needs and made me feel important. The shop is very cool looking in my opinion kind of industrial definitely gear oriented. Very close to the prime surf locations. Convenient to get to and nice people

Parking and storefront

Sail and kite rinse area

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Wing foils and SUPs

HST Windsurfing & Kitesurfing School

4.6

(18 reviews)

0.1 mi

Art might be the best wing/para wing instructor in the world ! He has a unique was of explaining…read morethings that relate to everyone at every level.

Wing Foil Lessons with HST: Private Beginner Lesson (five days in a row in early March)…read more Pro: Expert 1:1 instruction (Art is a super patient/friendly water man who eventually got me pumping and completing full foil runs upwind). His teaching was on the beach and doing demos in the middle of the harbor sailing next to me. Choice of up to date wings/boards/foils immediately available on the beach for swapping. Scenic Maui Harbor teaching location has totally flat water/consistent strong wind (20-35 mph)/world class wing foil sailors practicing tricks/cute sea turtles/no current/no navigation hazards Student foils downwind, and instructor carries or efficiently foils the board back up the beach (repeat) Safety first (helmets/impact vests provided, many warnings to not go too far downwind or hit the beach at speed) Con: Sadly, you have to go home eventually. I scraped up my knees and shins the first day touching the foil and sailing too long on the sandy deck with one leg down and one leg up. At Art's suggestion, I bought a farmer john wet suit at Second Wind for $100 and used it for the next four days with no more abrasions at all. I went to Maui specifically to learn to wing foil with HST, and I was completely satisfied. Every day, I made major incremental progress, and on the last day was foiling in steady 20 - 35 mph wind on a 4.0 Meter sail. I am certain I have the skills to safely make it back to my launch point when I sail at my home location in San Francisco Bay. Even though I am an experienced high-wind windsurfer, I never would have figured this sport out without Art's immediate in person feedback/corrections. I did months of rowing machine fitness training for this trip, and that really paid off. Watching you tube videos was quite useless it turned out since I could not execute in real life any of the skills I had been viewing.

HST Windsurfing & Kitesurfing Lessons

Windsurfing

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Alan Cadiz - Maui to Molokai channel crossing on the SUP Foil - July 7, 2018

Learn 2 Kite Maui

4.4

(7 reviews)

0.7 mi

Todd is a real Maui treasure. My daughter (age 11) and son (age 9) took their first surf lessons…read morewith Todd and a special appearance by his son during our spring break trip. This old man also gave it a roll but I will say surfing definitely does not come naturally to me and I will need plenty of additional lessons. We have always admired the surfing spots along the main Kihei drag but definitely noticed how crowded the the good spots would get with kids/adults taking lessons. Todd was in touch with us several days before our meeting time and let us know based on the conditions that we would meet anywhere between Kihei and Lahaina. While this is a a wide expanse of possible beaches it was well worth being surprised the night before with the perfect beach for the kids to take their first surfing lessons. Todd was all set at 8 am for our lessons with a perfect spot that was not very crowded and both of my kids rode multiple waves on the first day. I was wiped out and would have been fine not taking another lesson as every muscle hurt, my kids insisted they had to do another 2 hour lesson with Todd. It was even better the second day, my kids gained so much confidence hanging out in the waves, understanding where the wave breaks and how to balance and hang ten. Todd is great with kids, he brings a serenity from having lived so many years in Maui and taking up surfing later in life. Make sure to hit Uhlulani's for shave ice right after.

We were recommended to see Todd for beginners surf lessons by our travel guru Stacey with Elite…read moreTravel. She has never led us wrong and her advise is Jedi like. We had 2 families with 5 kids aged 10-8 years old. No surfing experience. Todd is the Wave Whisper!!! Todd and his son Bear were exceptional in getting all of the kids up in the first hour !!! Mind you, 2 of the kids don't really like water ... Extremely patient with instructions and teaching water skills Not only did he know the waves but also sought out perfect locations with soft sand --- no sharp coral or sea urchins!!!! To top it off, Todd is perfecting his gourmet cookies for an post surf delight. Look no further than Todd the Wave Whisper !!!!

Happy students learn more

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Thanks for the smiles and refreshing my stoke for the water!

Island Surfboard Rentals

(78 reviews)

14.4 mi

Love Yoav's hustle and business model. There's no storefront - he drives to you to deliver and pick…read moreup your board. It's like DoorDash for surfers. He'll show you how to mount the boards on your rooftop and give you tips on where to surf. I called him late on a Mon night and we were surfing by Tue morning. We had our own reef shoes, but he also offered them which are a must for certain surf spots like Launiupoko. He was a little late and had to change our rendezvous spot. But he called/texted to give me updates, and it's pretty understandable given that he's driving around the island dropping off and picking up boards. Like I said, I like his hustle and this is a great alternative to figuring out which surf shop to go to. A tad more expensive than a typical surf shop. But the delivery and pickup makes it very reasonable.

Yoav and Island Surfboards provided me and my two sons the absolute best surfboard rental…read moreexperience in our lives. I've been surfing for 40 years and traveling the world and when I go to Hawaii, I sometimes want to rent a few boards, have them delivered to my hotel, and have an easy experience. Yoav delivered really good Surfboards, in good shape with leashes and wax, and even recommended where we should go surfing. This is the best value I received in Maui. I highly recommend Yoav each and every time you go to Maui. Finney family

Longboards Beach Chairs and Umbrella Snorkeling equipment

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Sup Lahaina

Stant Surfing Lessons

(8 reviews)

3.0 mi

Isaac is a phenomenal surfing instructor. He is very patient, experienced, easy to talk to, and…read moregreat at teaching the fundamentals of surfing. Isaac is also very professional when it comes to communicating availability and scheduling. I had a ton of fun! I would 100% recommend Stant Surfing to anyone interested in learning how to surf!

Isaac is an awesome instructor. Taught me the basics and then enough so that I think I could now…read morerent a board and practice on my own. I got up the first try since he taught me how to pop up well on the beach first. He taught me what to look for in a wave to catch and how to catch it. He also had the best price for private lesson and squeezed me in. Great work Isaac

This kid is 5 years old! We can all agree he shreds! @stantsurfinglessons

Beautiful day with stant surfing lessons. This family shredded!

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Finished an amazing surf session with a quick land pose. @stantsurfinglessons

Maui Surf Clinics

(169 reviews)

14.3 mi

Maui Surf Clinics and Chad were incredible. My husband and daughter had a blast and both got up…read morealmost right away. Chad was a really great teacher and taught them a lot with pointers after each wave. My daughter has fallen in love with surfing and can't wait to do it again. Dad was exhausted and super glad he did it, but it sure helps when you're in better shape. ;) None the less, Chad made it doable for him! The lady at check in was lovely and super helpful and the pics we paid for were incredible! (Get the pics - worth it!) My daughter took a second lesson two days later with a different school on Kaanapali Beach... a sad experience and no where near as good as MSC. We'll be back for a multiple day surf clinic next time, hopefully with Chad! Highly recommend!

We did a first time lesson with them the day we left and it was such a great experience and way to…read moreend the trip! They were patient, kind, and very skilled! I highly recommend and would book with them again!

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Happy customers.

Kiteboarding School of Maui

4.8

(29 reviews)

0.5 mi

FANTASTIC INSTRUCTORS FOR MY DAUGHTERS!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO LEARN HOW TO KITE…read moreOR IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS. My daughters are 12 and 15, and had lessons with KSM along with another friend of theirs who is 13. Josh and his staff were simply amazing. The girls had 1 group lesson under their belts (safety, kite control, body dragging) from Sandy at Kitopia in Rio Vista, CA. and she recommended KSM as the best option on Maui for lessons. We opted for each girl to have their own private instructor and signed up for 2 days of 3 hour lessons. Krista (Josh's wife) was great on the phone and super helpful in answering all of my questions and making sure each girl was matched up with the right instructor to fit their personality and learning style. All the equipment is in great condition and they also have two way radio helmets which is key for communication when it's time to move from land to water. Josh is a super patient and skilled teacher and so are Jesse and Martin!! Teaching teen and tween girls is a special skill and these guys did a killer job making sure our girls were safe, learning proper technique, and most importantly, having fun. Thanks so much KSM, we will be back for more lessons!!!

First, the positive: my instructor was outstanding. He was knowledgeable, professional, easy to…read morelearn from, and got me on the water quickly. I would absolutely book with him again. Now the warning. The person handling bookings (Josh/John) tried to overcharge me. I called about a single 3-hour lesson and was quoted $400. When I asked where to book, he said I had to book directly through him. After paying, I noticed I'd been charged $475. When I questioned it, he claimed part of the charge was for the 3-day package--something I never agreed to. After arguing, he reluctantly refunded only $50, not the full $75 difference. During my lesson, I mentioned this to my instructor. He immediately said it didn't sound right and asked what I'd paid. When I told him, he was shocked. He explained that two people pay $620 for a 3-hour lesson--that's $310 per person. That made it pretty clear I'd been significantly overcharged. After the instructor spoke with the booking guy, I received another $50 refund, but I still paid well above the normal rate. And I didn't do the whole 3 hrs just did 2hrs so this place made a pretty good quick profit. So to all only book on line if you do. The instructor was fantastic and even apologized for something that wasn't his fault. The booking experience, however, left a terrible impression. I'll be back in November with a bachelor party of nine, but I'll be booking directly with the instructor, not through this school. If you want an honest, knowledgeable instructor without the booking games, here's his website: http://www.gerardinstructor.com

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Pacific Jet Sports

4.3

(287 reviews)

15.6 mi

I've done several catamaran cruises in Maui and wanted to try something different. Jet Ski Maui was…read morethe perfect choice. As a first-time jet skier, the staff made everything easy and fun. The short boat ride to Jet Ski Island was quick, the 45 minutes on the water flew by, and the photos turned out great. The weather was a little rainy and overcast, but I actually appreciated the break from the Maui sun after getting a bit too much of it the day before. There are cubbies available on Jet Ski Island, so feel free to bring along anything you'd like easy access to during your visit. Also, don't forget to bring a credit card, as one is required to be kept on file for the rental.

This was our second time booking with Maui Jet Ski, our first was back in 2023 and once again, we…read morehad an amazing experience! Lugi was our boat guide again, and he's just the best. Super friendly, helpful, and makes the whole experience fun and easy. I wish I had gotten the names of the guys on deck because they were awesome too, friendly, easygoing, and made everything run smoothly. We also purchased the photo package, which was totally worth it. The price was great and it takes all the stress out of trying to get your own shots. All you have to do is focus on having a good time! Highly recommend Maui Jet Ski! consistent, fun, and such a great crew. We'll definitely be back!

Grandkids having a blast

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South Pacific Water Sports

(13 reviews)

85.0 mi

This is our second time using South Pacific Water Sports. When you get their ask for the Special!…read moreIt is also featured in their brochure where you get 3 activities for $99 + tax If you book online at https://www.southpacifichawaii.com it's only $89 + tax. This is a best deal in town. My son is 17 so we spent the entire day on the water. The skipper for bumper tubing was awesome and my son had an amazing time bumper boating and tubing. I was up next for Jet Skiing and I was able to hit maximum speed on the jet skis. I love to jet ski! I stay in Hawaii Kai when I visit Oahu so there are no issues with transportation getting to and from the Marina. If you are visiting, I recommended a car rental. There is plenty of free parking at the Marina. If you have to wait there are plenty of shops, Coconuts Shave Ice and Leonard's Malasadas at Koko marina. I highly recommend this place and plan on coming back again next year!

Jet ski rental is only 30 min in a closed course, "about the size of a football field" Its $59 per…read moreperson on a tandem and $84 per person if single person on a jet ski. If you do the 3 activities for $99 that includes a 30 min jet ski ride tandem.

Where Hawaiian Ocean Adventure begins...

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Jet Skiing at South Pacific Hawaii

Ka'anapali Beach

(204 reviews)

15.7 mi

One of my favorite beaches in the whole wide world ! Always love coming here because it's so…read morepeaceful and feels less touristy !! Highly recommend!!

Enjoyed this beach right off of our Westin resort. Soft sands and warm waters. It's a long stretch…read morethat goes across multiple resorts. There were waves that started to swell as it got later in the day and the winds picked up. Works for kids that can boogie board but not great for littles with floaties. Beautiful views of the neighboring islands and sunset.

Kā'anapali Beach 4/11/2023

Sunsets on the beach

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Kā'anapali Beach 4/11/2023

Makena Beach

(25 reviews)

17.6 mi

Absolutely beautiful beach with soft cushiony sand made out of broken sea shells. The water…read moremovement was too strong when we visited, so we didn't attempt to swim, but it was still worthwhile visiting to check out this beautiful spot. Note that this is a state park, so parking is paid, plus there is a per-person fee to pay upon entry. Cash not accepted, have to use a smart phone to pay, which would be a challenge if you've got no reception.

Makena Beach is truly a beautiful hidden gem. It's a bit more isolated compared to other beaches,…read morebut that's part of what makes it so special. The sand is incredibly soft and smooth, making it perfect for relaxing or long beach walks. There are quite a few birds around, and they aren't afraid of humans, which adds to the charm and makes the experience feel more connected to nature. The views are absolutely spectacular, with stunning scenery that makes the trip more than worth it. Parking is available but does require a fee of about $16, so keep that in mind when planning your visit. The beach can get windy, and there may be sporadic rain, so it's best to plan ahead and check the weather. Overall I'd love to come back to visit again!

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Kahului Community Center Park

3.6

(5 reviews)

1.5 mi

Other than the little playground, this park is nice. I used to take my little one walking in the…read morestroller here sometimes. This morning Keopuolani Park had a fun run for Pono Viela so there were a lot of people when we arrived so we rerouted. The streetlight at Kaahumanu and Papa was out so we rerouted again. Finally we ended up here at KCC and the little playground was pilau. It was full of graffiti and it's clearly old but at least it's gated in. We didn't stay here as long as we usually stay at Keopuolani but it did the trick. We could use more nice playgrounds here in Central Maui or upgrade ones like these. I think next time Keopuolani is packed, we will just go to Wailuku Heights park even though it's pretty windy sometimes up there or the one by Wailuku Elementary even though there's usually ball games going at that one.

SO many good memories here at KCC over the years. From hanabata days, I can still clearly remember…read morethose joyful squeals as we bolted down the grassy hills on cardboard boxes 4, 5, 6 more times with a seemingly unending stream of energy. Even better were rainy days where body boards took the place of cardboard boxes and if we walked away unscathed with little to no bruises, we considered ourselves one of the lucky ones. I remember a number of field trips to the swimming pool, hanging on to the walls for dear life, but still having so much fun. Aah, those were the days. The park has changed very little since then & that's all part of it's charm. With it's soccer fields, swimming pool, community center, tennis courts, walking trails, etc. Kahului Community Center Park has always been a gathering place for families, friends, & generations of local Mauians. Although the facilities are quite a bit older, everything has been well maintained for the most part. The community center remains popular for all types of parties and events. Frequent games are hosted on the soccer fields. Tennis courts are well lit once the sun bids us adieu. And the playgrounds are enclosed for our littles to enjoy. The park is centrally located so I still come here to take my son out to play every now and then. The playground is geared more towards older children, but there's still enough for my 3 1/2 year old to enjoy. He might also just like being outside in general so there's that... hehe. All in all, great park!

6/22/24 lots of chickens that dig holes

6/22/24 Buss up little park

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6/22/24 Buss up little park

Keopuolani Regional Park

(18 reviews)

2.2 mi

Awesome playground. Proof we can still have nice things to include swings for kids. The playground…read moreis next to Kahului Beach Rd of the park. Great for any age. They had a fenced small toddler area and a large playground for the older kids that also had a ramp to the slide. Not a whole lot of cover from the sun so bring sun screen and water. Tons of kids. Very family friendly.

This is a convenient park right here in Central Maui. I've met so many nice families here. We like…read morethe keiki playground because they have a little kids ages 2-5 playground separated from the bigger kids playground. It's also fenced in but still be aware of your surroundings. It gets pretty hot and crowded too so if you have little, little ones, mornings are the best especially since you're probably up already lol. Check it out!

Big kids play structure

Swings

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Trail running

Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary

(12 reviews)

0.5 mi

Relaxed self paced viewing of bird reserve. Easy parking. Nice covered cabana…read more Great views.

When we have a few extra minutes in Kahului, we like to stop off at Kanaha Pond to enjoy the birds…read more There were mostly ducks and stilts today but we have seen Nenes, or Hawaiian Geese (the state bird). One time, there was a family with several little goslings. We stopped on the path to the shelter and let them decide if they wanted to pass us in the other direction. The male gave me a stink eye as they walked by and started hissing at me after they got a little ways past. It was funny that he became more macho after getting a little distance. Anyway, I always enjoy the Ae'o, or Hawaiian Stilt. They wade through the shallow water with such long legs, in search of food. Their chirps warn others of our presence. There are benches in the small shelter, where you can sit in the shade and watch the birds do their bird things. There also is a gate on the back side of the pond, near the water treatment plant, that lets you in to the dirt roads that were used to access a series of WW2 storage bunkers. There are other ponds back there, too. It's a nice area to walk through.

Free Kanaha pond ... check out the birds

Pond

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Canal along Wakea Avenue by Paradise Mart - VN

The Dunes At Maui Lani Golf Course

The Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course let me just say, this place is a postcard wearing a collared…read moreshirt. From the moment you step onto those perfectly manicured fairways, framed by palm trees swaying like they're applauding your arrival, you feel that glow only a great track can give. The routing is smart, the greens are true, and the course management is as refined as any top-tier resort layout. Customer service? Spot-on. Friendly, attentive, and they keep the greens rolling smoother than a brand-new Pro V1 off the putter face. What really sets The Dunes apart is how playable yet strategic it is one of the most forgiving climates in the world matched with a layout that rewards good decisions but won't break your spirit if your swing sneaks back into vacation mode. The vistas stretch out like a postage stamp sent straight from paradise, and every hole feels like its own little cinematic moment. And hey, any course where you can yank a drive into the next fairway and still call it "using the adjacent landing zone" is a win in my book. Five stars, easy.

This is a complicated review so I'll break it down. Course…read more4.5 stars- great layout and in great shape. Listed as a links course, not a links course :) Green were slow due to recent sanding (it is what it is) Bar/restaurant 4 stars- really nice, friendly spot, no bartender on at 1:30pm on a Tuesday but no biggie. Marshal- Negative 50 stars... guy is a total joker! We love playing a twilight round, watching the sunset, etc... When booking they allow you to make a 1-2pm reservation but never tell you the course closes at 6pm sharp even though it was light out until 7:30-8pm. Then when you get to course the Marshal told us while getting in our carts, then again on the 3rd hole, again on the 7th hole, etc... you get the drift. We finished our round in 3.5 hours as a 4 person scramble just to help improve our pace. About the 14th hole I lost it on the guy. I told him to stop following us on every hole, he was basically stocking us... I guess he had nothing better to do than harass us at every opportunity. His unprofessional attitude and lack of self awareness ruined our round. We get it... you close at 6pm sharp. Running off your customers is NOT a strong business model. Marshal needs some immediate training in customer service. Nice enough guy just a total lack of judgment from an employee that is supposed to set the tone for the course.

Residents of the 5th Hole.

Dunes!!

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Joy A.

10 years ago

My long awaited trip to Hawaii led me & my 2 daughters to Maui, where we were referred to Maui True North for surf lessons. I didn't think I'd be able to surf, & my eldest daughter wasn't sure because of a skin condition which has limited her athleticism all her life. Brett showed her ways to pop up on the board without damaging her skin, & she bossed it! I actually surfed myself! And my youngest daughter nailed it! We all had so much fun & felt completely safe with Brett looking after us! We all got the total surfing in Hawaii experience..especially my daughters, who loved being driven to and from the beach in the back of his truck along with the surfboards!! But we took away much more than a happy memory and some Facebook pics! Through chatting with Brett about his own personal journey, I was inspired to try some life changes that he suggested. So I gave up alcohol and went on a healthier diet. It's now been 6 months without the influence of alcohol in my life. Sobriety has given me so much. I'm happier, healthier, stronger and I have the respect of my daughters. I'm now living an authentic life as a mother, artist and business owner. I'm allowing my intuition to be my best guide. Thank you Brett for your inspiration. My life is so much richer for having met you! read more

Becky O.

140

9 years ago

Surfing with Brett from Maui True North was the highlight of my first trip to the island. If you're considering getting surf lessons on your trip, don't waste your time (or money) with the surf lessons from the hotels and resorts. A couple of days before my awesome Maui True north experience, I tried the surf lessons with my resort...that was a big a let down. After a few failed attempts at standing up they just gave me a stand up paddle board and said it was the same as surfing ;) not the same. And disappointing experience for a newbie to the island! But Brett saved the day. He's great company and stellar surf instructor. He spent some time teaching me on land, then had me standing up on my first wave. I'm no pro, but he had me loving surfing through and through by the end of our session. And if you're going to spend all that time out on the water, it's great to do it with someone who is fun to be around. Can't wait for my lessons when I visit the island again soon. read more

Christopher M.

152

8 years ago

If you're an adventure seeker, and looking for an experience with a true local, Brett is your guy. We are finishing our vacation in Maui, and two of our most memorable experiences have been with Brett from True North. I started out with a one-on-one surf lesson, followed by a personalized hike through the Bamboo Forest. Not only did Brett take us on an amazing adventure that we would not have found on or own, but before we booked it, Brett took the time to sit down with us over breakfast and explain the wide variety of services he offers. He also gave us advice on the best beaches, snorkeling, attractions, and local restaurants. Without a doubt, I would recommend Brett to anybody who is looking for a personalized local guide. read more

Margaret L.

5 years ago

Amazing experience! My family booked a private surfing lesson for a group of 6-- which included 3 kids ages 5,6, and 11. Brett was prompt in answering any questions i had regarding our lesson. He provided life vests for the kids and was great working with them. He was encouraging and understood the comfort level of each kid. The joy on their faces while on the water was priceless! Brett and Fabricio took each of us out and helped us catch some amazing waves! We all agreed that our favorite time during our trip to Maui was our surf lessons with Maui True North! Brett and Fabricio--we can't thank you enough for the wonderful memories we made!! read more

Megan M.

5 years ago

I am a nervous nelly when it comes to the ocean so when my kids wanted a surf lesson, I was ill at ease. Our hotel set up a lesson with Brett at Maui True North. He was communicative and timely. He met us at the beach as scheduled and gave the kids instructions before they hit the ocean. My son popped up on the first few tries. Our daughter got to her knees. Brett seemed to pay attention to both of them to try to develop their skills and confidence. The beach he selected was perfect for beginners. Would definitely book him again - highly recommend a private or semi private lesson versus the companies that take 10-15 out at a time. read more

Maria F.

8 years ago

I am in the middle of my kite lessons with Brett at Maui True North and there's only one review: 5 Stars. Brett is a truly excellent teacher and I doubt I would be feeling this comfortable on a kite after the second lesson if somebody else would teach me. He immediately recognized what type of training I needed and his explanations make things really easy. Having no experience with wind-related sports, I cannot believe I was on the water so quickly! A student is only as good as their teacher... Plus, Brett is super fun to hang out with. Thumbs up, hands down - Maui True North is da best! read more

Traveling D.

7 years ago

Bret was a fantastic instructor for this first-time-surfing family--dad, an 11 year old son and 8 year old daughter. We got oriented efficiently and got in the water quickly with just the right amount and kind of instruction. Thanks to Bret we were all able to get up early and often and enjoy every minute of the experience--plus we learned a lot about our geography, the island and surfing as we waited between waves. Each of us made noticeable progress thanks to Bret's teaching. Both kids report that their surf lesson was the highlight of our trip and dad agrees! Thank you, Bret! read more

Annalise P.

7 years ago

Brett will be the coolest guy you meet in Maui. I took his surf lesson with my boyfriend and he was amazing! It was both our first times surfing and we absolutely love it now! Brett will take his time explaining everything to you in and out of the water! He has lots of experience in the ocean and will take great care of you. Definitely the only surf school I will recommend! By far the best thing I did in Maui. I will never forget this experience! Choose Maui True North! read more

Md L.

7 years ago

If you are unsure where to surf, with whom, or need some guidance - look no further. Brett at Maui True North is awesome - great teacher, knows the island well (safety), and patient. As you know, ocean conditions vary by the day and sometimes it takes a little hunting and acceptance to find the right surf spot - Brett's a great communicator and will work with you to find it. 10 STARS. - Matt read more

Bill F.

5 years ago

Our surf lesson was great. Brett and Jason were super with my children. Our 8 and 12 year olds stood up so many times. Our youngest was nervous and took breaks but always wanted to go back out. Both instructors were calm and showed them the tools and the lesson was a highlight of our trip. water was warm and waves were calm for beginners. It was a great location to use. highly recommend them. read more

Catherine D.

5 years ago

My 16 year old daughter's only wish was to learn how to surf - and Brett delivered. He was patient, knowledgeable, warm hearted and instructive. The waves and weather at Ukumehame Beach were excellent. We enjoyed watching her learn from someone who so obviously loves what he is doing and they both ended each lesson with huge smiles. We will be back for kite boarding lessons on our next trip. read more

Karla C.

5 years ago

Brett was awesome, booked 2 sessions with him for my son and nephew. He was so easy to work with though the booking process and golden on the water with the guys. He was very personable and took time to get to know us and the boys. We did not feel like just another vacationer wanting to Surf Maui. Totally enjoyed their time with Brett and Maui True North. Highly recommend !!!!! read more

Erika L.

3 years ago

The best! I highly recommend Maui True North with full confidence. Brett is an awesome coach and fantastic jetski driver! I've had 4 tow foiling sessions with him and I will always come back to Maui for more. I learn so much and I'm relaxed knowing Brett has my back out there as a top trained waterman plus he's so much fun to be around. Call him don't miss out on the fun :) read more

Christina F.

649

10 years ago

Brett is seriously AWESOME!! I had a freaking blast tandem kiteboarding with him. Total bucket list item. Super adrenaline rush too. Brett does a great job of making you feel safe yet also your cheeks will hurt from smiling and laughing so much! I recommend ANY adventures with him as he knows the island and knows how to live life to the fullest!! read more

Natalie R.

4 years ago

Our family had a great time with Steve, and he was great at navigating the different needs of the group (50+ adult, two teens, and 8 year old). Dad and youngest got tired before the teens, and Steve kept teens out having fun. They were really psyched about getting up on several waves. Steve's energy and enthusiasm were very motivating and fun. read more

Bruce E.

140

8 years ago

Great surf lessons! They also do kite surfing and Mountain Biking, the instructor is a cool guy as well and seems cognizant that if you are a beginner he is patient and supportive, I did manage to stand and " get up" in the end, I was exhausted though.. even though I had like 20 15 mins left , I would do this again next time I am on Maui. read more

r s.

5 years ago

Awesome awesome awesome experience with Brett -- we ended up doing 14 hours of lessons this week and my son loved every minute of it. Such an amazing crew and simply saved our entire vacation after another company flaked out on lessons at last minute. We will definitely be back surfing Maui waves with Maui True North! read more

John O.

9 years ago

Thank you Brett for a patient, safety first approach to teaching my son how to kite! It was great to see his skills advance over the last week and even more rewarding to see his stoke at epic levels as he got the basics. You did a great job building fundamentals that will last a lifetime!!! Mahalo nui loa read more

Holly H.

131

9 years ago

Brett took my kite skills to well seasoned rider. Nuances taught: changing tacks according to wind direction (N -NE), how to set an edge for upwind and downwind (no planing down the coast) and bar untangling tricks. He is one of the best teachers on kite beach. Highly suggest 3 hour lesson block read more

Megan D.

4 years ago

My 3 girls (15, 13, 11) had such a great morning - it was all super calm, not scary - Brett sets a great tone and they felt so comfortable out with him. They all got up pretty quick and felt like they had plenty of time out on the water. Would highly recommend Maui True North! read more

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Maui True North - surfing - Updated July 2026

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