Reviews
Kathy from Viator
This is an amazing experience in an amazing place. The family owned business makes sure you are well informed and comfortable throughout the water activities. The views of the reef through the kayak and snorkeling were beautiful. The guide is very experienced and informative. I highly recommend!
Jay E. San Rafael, CA
We saw so many whales while kayaking with Gabriel's Ohana that I suspect they have whole families of whales on their payroll! They were amazingly informative and kindly people and the tour was one of the most unforgettable things I've ever done! Couldn't recommend this family operation more highly.
Shawn B. Detroit, MI
First time going Kayaking whale watching and Snorkeling and these guy made sure I had the time of my life that was very respectful full of fun and made sure we enjoyed ourself if you going to Maui they Definitely the guy yall wont to see to go out for a Adventure.
Jason P. Charlotte, NC
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!
Reviewer from Viator
The best guide, bar none. Book it, you will not regret it..
Jason was fantastic and very knowledgable about everything from island history to ocean life. A few things stick out: 1. one of the folks in our group was nervous of being out in the ocean after a prior jellyfish incident (CA), Jason assured her she would be fine (non in area) and gave her 1:1 instruction to snorkel. She ended up having a great time and did great! 2. He would swim down and find creatures to show us and hold. Afterwards he was swim back down and put them somewhere safe. 3. He's gets set up early to make sure the weather is right for the group. He will not take you out if it's not acceptable. I find this absolutely admirable.
I mean no disrespect when I say this but Jason may be a fish or have been in a previous life. The way he is so calm out in the ocean and how he makes others feel safe and comfortable. You know when someone has found what they were meant to do, he genuinely loves what he does and makes sure everyone has great time. Equipment is top notch and the crew does a great job getting you set up. I highly recommend this excursion for your Maui trip, my girlfriend and I still talk about this day as the highlight of our trip. Be sure to book early in your stay in case of poor weather and rescheduling! Thanks Jason and crew, top-notch!
Miyoko Miyata
I went on a clear kayak tour with my husband and 2 kids. As soon as I got to the location, Gabriel’s team was totally prepared and welcoming us. They had all the kayaking and snorkeling gears as well as snacks. Our tour guide Mia was very sweet, patient and knowledgeable about not only kayaking but also local history and Marin life. We had amazing hands on experience being in the ocean and shown lots of sea creatures that we could have missed on our own.
It was the best Maui experience we had so far.
Lori Obenchain
Jason, Brady and the others on their team were unbelievably friendly, kind, patient and very knowledgeable on the water. We brought my 85 yr old mom on their kayaks and everyone went above and beyond to make sure she was safe and had a memorable experience. We highly recommend this company.
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
Honestly this has been on of the best experiences so far with a tour guide. Staff is EXTREMELY welcoming and professional and genuinely have a passion for what they do. We went on the clear kayaks and had a great time, followed by a time set out for snorkeling. Afterwards, Jason had us try some sweet pineapple and also him and his staff helped us get our car out of the sand (we got stuck on the beach). Unforgettable experience and would do it again if we return to Maui in the future!
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
A 10 star would be a better fit for this review! Jason and his crew made our Maui trip unforgettable and so amazing! The clear kayak sold me from the beginning giving me the option to enjoy seeing underwater without going into the water. But after going out in the kayak I really want to snorkel. Jason was so kind, patient, and knowledgeable with me and teaching me how to snorkel, and because of him I love it! They also captured a life changing moment for me and my boyfriend, our engagement. Thank you guys from the bottom of our heart! You all are truly our Ohana and we cannot thank you enough for the amazing experience and fun! We will definitely visit Maui again and book through you! Much love ❤️ Debbie and Jon!
Kevin Tolentino
From start to finish, everyone we talked to felt like talking to family. First, Sabrina was very friendly and made the reservation process easy.
Out on the water, Jason (aka Papa Bear), was an outstanding guide. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. He was able to guide us to see some whales even this late in the season. Once on shore, Gabriel helped navigate our snorkeling through the coral and showed us different creatures as well.
Overall, everyone from Gabriel's Ohana was very friendly, accomodating, and knowledgeable. An added bonus is knowing that the company gives a portion of their earnings back to the community. Our family of 6--- 2 adults and 4 kids had a blast! You will leave them feeling like you've just gained new members of your family.
— The Minne family
INCREDIBLE experience, a must do in Maui!
Tripadvisor review: Clear Kayak Tour with Pontoons - Olowalu, Maui
Gabriel’s Ohana kayak tour in Maui was possibly one of the best experiences our family had on this wonderful island! It’s truly a rare thing to encounter people who share a love for adventure and teaching like these fine gentlemen! From waters, snacks, and safe equipment to extensive reef knowledge and an amazing attitude, our experience from start to finish was magnificent to say the least! I rarely write reviews but the Gabriel’s Ohana’s team deserves 6 stars out of 5 and a huge thank you for the incredible time! If you need a kayak guide, a snorkel guide or even a helping hand to reach out to for honest information, look no further! Thanks again guys, cheers!
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
Amazing experience!
Truly an amazing experience! Perfect activity for family, friends or both. (Jason) and his son Gabriel were amazing tour guides! We had a private tour with this family run business and all I have to say is what an experience! This family run business will make you feel at ease and truly get a feel for the Hawaiian experience. They are very personable, chill and knowledgeable of the land and ocean and truly are there for you to have the best experience possible. We got to see some beautiful lands around the area during the kayaking and the snorkeling was even better! We saw many different sea life and the beautiful nature of the sea. You will become one with nature. We even swam/snorkeled with a sea turtle! If you are ever thinking of taking a trip to Maui, please check this tour guide/business out for kayaking and snorkeling. They will not let you down
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
The kayaking was beautiful to see everything below us, the tour guide was thoughtful, hilarious, knowledgeable and we loved all his stories. The small touches like the pineapple and breakfast and the willingness to show us the best places to visit while on vacation was heartwarming. We loved every minute of this excursion and would recommend to anyone.
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
We loved our excursion with Gabriel’s Ohana!
I cannot express how wonderful Jason and Gabriel were on this excursion. There were 5 of us, including three kids. The clear bottom kayaks were great, clean and well taken care of and the water was clear enough to see the coral below. They’re extremely knowledgeable about the area and we learned a lot! Further, Jason gave great suggestions for places to visit for the short time we had left in Maui and they were a hit with everyone so technically, Gabriel’s Ohana helped us create lasting memories beyond the kayak tour. Thank you!
John and Natalie
My wife and I went to Maui for our honeymoon in September. My wife wanted to see some marine life, so I made plans for us to go out on a transparent kayak with Gabriel’s Ohana. Sabrina was super easy to work with and gave us clear directions to the boat launch location. We met up with Gabriel and Jason first thing in the morning, and were greeted like family. We immediately felt that laid back, relaxed aloha vibe that we were hoping for – so different than our regular everyday lives back home. They provided us with very high quality equipment – rash guards, life vests with leg straps, dry bags, reef-friendly sunscreen, and a kayak with pontoon attachments that make it virtually impossible to tip over. As we set off on our journey, Gabriel shared lots of fun and interesting information about the ecosystem we were exploring and the history of the islands we were looking at. After an hour of paddling, he offered us the opportunity to do a little snorkeling. So we paddled back to shore and exchanged our kayak for a mask, snorkel, and fins! I am not yet a strong or confident swimmer, so I was a little apprehensive about snorkeling for the first time, but Jason was so patient and reassuring that I was able to enjoy myself in the water for a while – if you’re a little bit nervous in the water like me, you can totally trust Jason to help you feel safe. My wife, on the other hand, took to snorkeling like, well, a fish takes to water, and in no time she was happily viewing all sorts of colorful marine life in the crystal clear ocean. Jason took some great pictures of us! After about an hour or so, we got out of the water and enjoyed some fresh pineapple with li hing powder – so refreshing! My wife enjoyed snorkeling so much that she went again a few days later and then posted on Facebook that she wants us to move to Maui so that she can be a full time snorkeler! Our time with Gabriel’s Ohana was the highlight of our trip and we could not possibly be happier with our experience.
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
We had a great time on the chill ride with the transparent kayak and learned a lot about the island.
After kayaking we went to snorkeling and had a lot of time left to find some awesome creatures. Sadly we weren‘t able to see some turtles 🙁
The guys are lovely and really nice! We recommend the tour highly!
Cheers from Switzerland
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
Although the trade winds and the rain kept us from being able to experience this activity, we appreciated the careful decisions that were made in order to insure our safety. We were looking forward to this excursion because of the wonderful reviews but were certainly appreciative that participant safety was the number one concern. We received a personalized phone call to check about rescheduling but unfortunately we were at the end of our vacation. We received our money back without any problem. We will definitely book this again next time!
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
We had such a fun time kayaking and snorkeling with Gabriel’s Ohana! We spent part of our honeymoon in Maui and this was by far one of the greatest highlights of our trip. Thank you to Jason (the owner) and Joseph for taking us out into the ocean - we were fortunate enough to have beautiful, clear weather and calm oceans, ideal for kayaking and snorkeling. While kayaking, we heard amazing stories about the island’s history and really enjoyed getting to know Jason through his many funny personal anecdotes. In between kayaking and snorkeling, we shared a Maui gold pineapple - such a treat! It was our first time snorkeling and Jason and Joseph were there to guide us the entire time. They showed us some incredible wildlife, including big sea turtles, parrot fish, box fish, sea cucumbers, sea urchin (uni), a prickly starfish (forgot the name!), all kinds of beautiful and vibrant coral, and even an eagle ray! Jason’s son Gabriel looked after our belongings the entire time we were out in the ocean and we were so appreciative. They all showed us so much aloha, treated us like family, gave us many insider tips/food recommendations and we could not have asked for a better experience. I would highly recommend booking a tour with Gabriel’s Ohana!
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
Loved this kayaking trip. Jason was prepared with everything - sunscreen, rash guards, water and snacks - you could tell he really cared about his customers. We went out with Gabriel while Jason watched our cars on the shore. Gabriel was a fantastic guide - he is well versed on nature, Hawaiian history, and he was constantly checking in with us on how we were doing. This was a very relaxed trip -- we didn't go super far, but that was OK because we could spend the time looking in the water and learning about things from Gabriel. It is a great trip if you happen to be a beginner. I had checked out a few other kayaking places, but without pontoons, you can't have a combined weight over 400 lbs., which my husband and I went over just a bit. But the pontoons with Gabriel's stabilized us and we had a most enjoyable trip. This is a family-owned business, our group only had one other couple, and you really got personalized attention.
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
This tour was fantastic!!! Listened to very informative stories of Hawaii’s history; past & present; and, saw amazing sights in the water!! Plus, Jason was beyond accommodating! I have kayaked during my past stays in Hawaii but, clear kayaking is by far the best way to go when your in the middle of the pacific!! 🤙🏼
I hope Gabriel’s Ohana offers other water excursions in the near future; as I will be back again in the 808 next year!! Mahalo for this fun excursion!! 😊
P.S. I hope you have those towels we left behind! Hahaha- see you all soon!
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
Jason and Gabe were super awesome in providing an amazing and safe Kayaking and snorkeling experience! We were lucky enough to see a few sea turtles while kayaking and snorkeling, but the snorkeling experience was definitely our favorite part! I would definitely recommend them to someone who is looking to have an amazing kayaking and snorkeling adventure! I hope to return to Maui one day and seeing Jason and his family again!
Cheers,
Alex
Reviewer from Tripadvisor
Jason and Gabriel were very professional and went way above what we expected. Upon arrival they made sure we parked next to where we put into the Ocean so that way they could keep an eye on our car. They made accommodations for us to use different kayaks that were easier to navigate and made our excursion memorable. I highly recommend this team for what ever excursion you have planned. They are so kind and friendly. If I ever go back to Maui and plan an excursion, they would be my first pick.
Reviewer from Get Your Guide
Gabriel and his dad are the kindest people you’ll meet! They’re so knowledgeable of the area and sea life and you can just tell how much they love what they do. You’ll leave with a couple great new friends. We saw a few sea turtles and a couple whales. Highly recommend!
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