“They took great care to teach the finer points of breath holding, water safety, and proper/safe speargun handling. Once in the water they continued to work with …”
Verified Review
Set off from Maui Spearfishing Academy’s shop in Lahaina, on the coast of West Maui, for a five-hour guided introduction to the fundamentals of spearfishing. Starting at 7 a.m., you'll learn breath-holding techniques, gun safety, and sustainable hunting practices targeting invasive reef species. After land-based instruction, you’ll enter the ocean for about two hours of guided freediving and spearfishing in shallow reef environments—perfect for beginners seeking both adventure and ecological impact. With all gear included and group sizes kept small, the experience combines ocean sport, conservation, and deep local knowledge.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 13+, group size limited to 10 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
For guests comfortable in the ocean and eager to try something new.
WHAT TO BRING
Swimwear, towel, sun protection
CANCELLATION POLICY
Changes or cancellations must be made 48 hours prior.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
5.0★ from 380+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Reviewers praise this experience for its expert instruction in breath-hold diving, safety, and sustainable spearfishing, highlighting the friendly, patient guides. Guests love the thrill of hunting real fish—especially invasive species—and appreciate learning new skills they can actually use. Many describe it as fun, challenging, and an unforgettable introduction to freediving and Hawaiian marine conservation, all while exploring Maui’s clear coastal waters.
You will be instructed on the topics of:
Fish identification
Fish preservation
Gun safety
Breath holding techniques
Hunting techniques.
Spend about 2 hours in the water, just long enough to avoid getting cold, as you hunt fish, experience beautiful snorkeling and simply have fun. Our exact end time will depend on the dive location. Simply leave all the equipment with the instructor and get some lunch!
We are not shy when it comes to sharing our favorite places to eat or have fun so make sure to gather up all that local knowledge as you plan that next step on your vacation!
Equipment Included:
- Gun, Mask, Snorkel, Fins,
"T-shirt style" Wet Suit, Weight Belt, Gloves
Please note: Price does not include tax and gratuity.Owned and founded by Maui native Bobby Twitchell, Maui Spearfishing Academy stems from over 40 years of Twitchell family involvement in West Maui’s diving and fishing community. Bobby combined his education degree from Arizona State University and his deep roots in Hawaiian waters to create an academy focused on safe, sustainable spearfishing education. His carefully trained guides follow top freediving standards, teaching guests to hunt responsibly—especially targeting invasive species—to help protect Maui’s reef ecosystem.
Meet at All About Fish, located just north of Kāʻanapali on West Maui—typically at 3600 Lower Honoapiʻilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761—at 7 a.m. to gear up for your tour.
Please see final meeting details in confirmation email.Customers will receive a full refund with 48 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price. Any cancellation within 48 hours of the start time of booking, will be charged full price, including but not limited to: illness, injury, or unforeseen travel delays. Contact us by phone at 808-446-0352 to cancel.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Spearfish 101: Freediving, Reef Stewardship, and the Quiet Thrill of the Hunt in West Maui
I arrived just before 7 a.m. at the All About Fish shop north of Kā‘anapali, greeted by the Maui Spearfishing Academy team. After gearing up—gun, mask, snorkel, wet suit, fins and more—we headed to a reef site chosen for calm conditions and abundant marine life.
On the boat or from shore, my guide taught me to read fish behavior, hold my breath longer, and use the spear gun safely. Then we slipped into the water: the current gentle, reef colors vivid, and the hunt quiet and purposeful. In roughly two hours, I stalked lionfish and peacock grouper—learning not just how to catch them, but why they matter ecologically.
Freediving is a different kind of stillness. Your mind slows. You count your heartbeats. On the descent, you feel weightless but alert. I spot a peacock grouper hiding under coral and remember what our guide said: invasive, good to target, no waste. I line up, exhale, squeeze. The fish jerks once, then stills. It’s a strange moment—primal, responsible, satisfying.
We spend about two hours in the water. Some catch fish, others just observe, but everyone comes away with a new sense of presence. Above the reef, Lahaina’s familiar coastline feels different now—not just a beach town, but the backdrop to a quieter kind of adventure.
Back at the shop, we drop off gear and trade stories. Our guide suggests a lunch spot tucked behind a gas station that locals swear by. He tells us where to see the sunset from a less-crowded cove. I walk away not just with new skills, but with a different relationship to the island—one shaped by water, silence, and intention.
It’s just after sunrise in Lahaina, and the light is soft on the water. I meet my guide at the Maui Spearfishing Academy shop—a small, gear-filled space tucked into a stretch north of Kāʻanapali. The air smells like neoprene and ocean. We talk over coffee while being fitted with fins, wetsuits, masks, and guns. The goal isn’t just to catch fish. It’s to learn how to hunt responsibly, to enter the ocean as a guest, not a conqueror.
The dive site changes based on conditions. Today we head to a reef near the West Maui shoreline, close enough to feel part of the coastline, far enough to leave the surface behind. On shore, we review breath-holding techniques, fish behavior, and the basic mechanics of the spear gun. Then, in pairs, we ease into the water. It’s clear and quiet—just reef, sand, and light.
