Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Where better to enjoy one of the world's most popular water activities than in the place where it was born? A slower-paced relative of surfing, stand-up paddleboarding/SUP got its start in the 1960s when Hawaiian surf instructors began standing on their boards – with the aid of an outrigger canoe paddle – to keep better watch of their students. The rest is Hawaiʻi history.

Whether you’re taking a guided tour or renting gear and exploring on your own, Maui’s many flat-water coves and calm beaches are ideal for SUP. Head to Turtle Town to see scores of tropical fish and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). Skim the clear, gentle waters of Kāʻanapali Beach and Honolua Bay, a protected marine reserve. Or, if you’re visiting in the winter months, embark on an unforgettable whale watching tour in Mākena, where you may find yourself floating above a pod of koholā (humpback whales).