Top Ten Maui Surf Spots
Ho’okipa
Located on the north shore of Maui off of the Hana Highway, Ho’okipa is a Maui Surf Spot that works on North, Northwest, West and East swells. Making it one of the most consistent breaks on the island. Both a world-class windsurfing and surfing spot there a lot of options for both lefts and rights. Pavilions is the right just out to the east from the parking lot. Lanes, the peak furthest west offers up the occasional left and many options for both lefts and rights are in between the two. Time the paddle out on bigger days as there can be quite the riptide and multiple wave sets that seem to never end. There are some sharp rocks and reef to watch out for but mostly the reef is well covered.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: North, Northwest, West & East
BEST WIND DIRECTION: Southwest, South & Southeast
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock, some sand pockets
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, strong current, sea urchins, sharks, locals
Kahului Harbor
Located on the north central shore of Maui in the Kahului Bay, the Harbor is a wedgy barreling wave that works on a northeast and southwest swell direction. You could be off the plane and into the surf within 20 minutes. That is if you are an experienced surfer, as this place will hand out beatings and shouldn’t be taken lightly. The Harbor can hold really big swells. Short, fast and heavy lefts and rights that wedge off the jetties. Generally on large days there will be a lot of current to deal with. The bottom of the Kahului Maui Surf Spot is reef and there are a few sharp rocks to look out for when entering and exiting the water.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: Northeast & Southwest
BEST WIND DIRECTION: Southwest
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, strong current, sea urchins, sharks, locals, pollution
Waiehu Beach Park
On the North central coast off of highway 30 is Waiehu Beach Park. A super consistent break that works on a North and Northeast swell. The wave breaks over shallow reef and can throw heavy barrels both right and left. When the waves are head high or bigger expect a strong rip current. Crowds can get quite large here when its working and when the winds turn onshore expect kit boarders to be out. There are a few sharp rocks to watch out for when entering and exiting the water.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: North, Northeast
BEST WIND DIRECTION: South & Southwest
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, strong current, sea urchins, sharks, locals
Honolua Bay
Located on the West coast, off the North shore highway is Honolua Bay. Known as one of the best waves in Hawaii,
Honolua is a powerful hollow reef break point and works on North, Northwest and West swells. When it’s on you may catch the longest ride of your life. Especially when the three sections (the point, the cave and keiki bowls) connect. Entering and exiting the surf can be a challenge and paddle outs can be very difficult when it’s sizable. On flat days the bay offers some of the best snorkeling on the island.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: North, Northwest, West
BEST WIND DIRECTION: Southeast & East
SKILL LEVEL: Experienced to advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, current, sea urchins, locals, parking lot theft
Jaws
Located on the North shore in the Peahi Valley off the Hana Highway is Jaws/Peahi. This wave only breaks on huge North swells and is strictly for professionals only. Surfed only a few times without the power of PWC, Jaws is they most powerful surf spot in Maui, hollow right hand reef break holding up to 50 plus feet. When conditions allow, professional surfers from all over the world get behind the ski, let go of the tow rope and risk their lives to get a taste of the most impressive wave on earth.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: North
BEST WIND DIRECTION: South
SKILL LEVEL: Professionals only
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, strong current, sea urchins, waves
Lahaina Reefs
On the West coast of the island, off of Honoapiilani Highway you will find the town of Lahaina. Within the towns inner and outer limits there are many fun reef breaks for all skill levels. Kammies, located on the south end of town has fun right and left peaks. Shark Pit, also more towards the south end of town offers punchy right and left reefs on both ends of the boat channel and can get quite epic. The Breakwall reefs are the most popular in town and offer some great waves off both sides of the breakwall just to the south of the boat harbor. Lastly the harbor itself has a fun peak that comes out of deep water and throws both rights and lefts. Don’t be surprised to see a few of the resident pro’s on the island laying down some serious turns at this break in the summer months.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: West, Southwest, South
BEST WIND DIRECTION: North, Northwest, East
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, current, sea urchins, sharks
Puamana Park
Located on the western coast just south of Lahaina is Puamana. One of the fun family friendly Maui Surf Spots,a mellow wave out in front of Pumana park that offers both rights and lefts and can be quite lengthy if the conditions are good. Further north are a few other peaks that predominantly go right and can also get super fun on a south or southeast swell. At Puamana you should watch for shallow reef and sharp rocks. Best to surf on a mid to high tide once the reef is less exposed.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: West, Southwest, South
BEST WIND DIRECTION: North, Northwest, East
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, sea urchins, sharks
Kaanapali Beach
Located on the West coast of Maui, Kaanapali is more known for its high-end luxury hotels and golf resorts then it’s surf but when there is swell Kaanapali can be a very fun wave. Working on North, Northwest and Southwest swell directions there is both a left and a right that breaks over a reef. The wave is pretty soft when its small but a nice wedgy right apprears when the swell is head high and up. Combine all the tourist and locals that work or live in the area and this place can get crowded when it’s on.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: North, Northwest, Southwest
BEST WIND DIRECTION: East
SKILL LEVEL: Begginner to advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, sea urchins, locals, beach theft
Kihei Cove
On the south shore of Maui is the town of Kihei. Kihei offers a lot of fun slopey waves built for all skill levels. Most popular is the Kihei Cove surf spot off of south Kihei Road. The wave is predominantly a long mellow right but also offers a good left. With a good Southwest or straight West swell the right can roll in for over 100 yards. Best for a longboard even with size. Just to the north of the cove you will see a few other peaks that have great set ups for long peeling rights. Closest is Kalama Bowls. Kihei is very popular with beginning surfers and lessons, as there is a rental lot just across the street from the sorft peeling waves.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: West & Southwest
BEST WIND DIRECTION: East & Northeast
SKILL LEVEL: Begginner to intermediate
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, sea urchins, sharks
The Dumps/La Perouse
Driving towards the southern tip of the island on a narrowly paved road you will come to La Perouse Bay. (The end of the road) The Dumps is one of the few Maui surf spots that has a small parking area just north of the End of the road. A mostly exposed reef break that works on south ground swells and windswells. The wave is a fun slopey lefthander. Watch for sharp rocks both on the paddle out and in the lineup. This wave is predominately a longboard wave but can hold lots of size under the right conditions and north northeast offshores.
QUICK TIPS:
BEST SWELL DIRECTION: South & Southwest
BEST WIND DIRECTION: Northeast
SKILL LEVEL: Experience to advanced
BOTTOM: Reef and sharp rock
HAZARDS: Sharp rocks, shallow reef, sea urchins
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tags: surfing maui, surf maui, maui surf spots, surf spots maui,
