Maui is a popular Hawaiian island when it comes to surfing thanks to world-class surf spots like Honolua Bay and Pe’ahi. However, Maui still has some beginner friendly waves and many other hidden surf spots. 

Here are 4 of the best waves and surf spots on the island of Maui.

Ho’okipa 

On the north side of the island, just a couple miles away from the historic town of Pa’ia is a beach called Ho’okipa which is known as one of the best kitesurfing beaches in the world. 

Ho’okipa also has some great waves for regular surfing and through the winter months, considerably big swells run into Ho’okipa. This surf spot is better for intermediate and advanced surfers.

Lahaina Harbor

On the west side is the once beautiful town of Lahaina which was heartbreakingly destroyed by a wildfire in the summer of 2023. In front of Lahaina Harbor is a beautiful reef break that works both on south and north swells which means it will work throughout most of the year.

Lahaina remains Maui’s most accessible and popular surf spot.

Honolua Bay

Honolua Bay is the best wave and surf spot in Maui with a world-class point break that produces incredibly consistent waves throughout the winter months.

In order to work, Honolua Bay needs a good northwesterly swell and it will become a long wave that offers great walls to practice some carves as well as a few barreling sections.

Pe’ahi (Jaws)

Jaws is a big wave surf spot located on the north side of Maui about 15 minutes away from the town of Pa’ia. On a big north swell, chargers from all over the world rush into Maui to paddle into a giant wave at Pe’ahi.

This wave should only be surfed by extremely experienced big wave surfers with the proper equipment and safety teams. From the cliffs, anyone can have a nice view of the show while staying dry and safe.

The post 4 Best Waves and Surf Spots in Maui appeared first on My Wave Finder.

To find the perfect surfing destination, try our WaveFinder search engine!

Here is your ultimate regular footer’s surf guide with our countdown of the world’s 10 best right-hand waves. From Australia to Africa, the following waves have been on every surfer’s bucket list over the last decade and are always looked up to as some of the world’s best waves!

Make sure to also have a look at our countdown of The World’s 10 Best Left-Hand Waves.

10. Scorpion Bay, Baja California, Mexico

Baja California is a very generous territory for surfers and Scorpion Bay is probably the highlight of this region. This right wave has multiple peaks that sometimes link together to form one of the longest right-hand wave on Earth! 

When to go: The best time to surf Mexico is from April to October. However, waves are still great all year long.

Read our complete surfing guide to Baja California Sur, Mexico

9. Cloud Nine, Siargao Island, Philippines

This hollow right-hand wave could be considered as the Asian version of Pipeline. It is a short, intense wave that tubes every time it breaks. The reef is also just as shallow and sharp which makes you pay for every barrel you don’t make it out of. 

Read our a complete surfing guide to Siargao, Phillippines

When to go: The best time to surf Cloud Nine, on Siargao Island, is from October to April.

8. Lance’s Right, Mentawai Islands

Located in the Mentawai Islands, just off the coast of Sumatra, Lance’s Right is a truly epic Indonesian wave. An absolute tube machine breaking over a shallow and sharp reef that should only be attacked by the most experienced surfers looking to push their limits. 

Read our complete surfing guide to the Mentawai Islands

The Mentawai Islands represent a very remote area accessible by boat only which takes away most of the crowd factor. However, over the last decade, more and more surfers make the trip from May to October as this region is becoming the true surfing mecca.

When to go: The best time to surf the Mentawai Islands is from April to October.

7. P-Pass, Federated States of Micronesia

South Pacific perfection, that is what P-Pass is all about. A dreamy right-hand barreling wave that can be compared to some of the best waves from the Mentawais or Tahiti.

Located on Pohnpei, Micronesia’s main island, P-Pass is a short boat ride away from land and has been visited by many of the world’s best professional surfers looking for a stunning magazine cover shot. This wave is not so easily accessible but should be on every surfer’s dream list…

When to go: The best time to surf P-Pass, Pohnpei is from November to April.

Read our complete surfing guide to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

6. Anchor Point, Morocco

Read our complete surfing guide to Taghazout.

This legendary surf break located in Taghazout represents, on a good day, one of the best waves in Africa. A long, peeling right that is not too critical and can even be surfed by inexperienced surfers if the swell is not too big. Anchor Point is a must on a surf trip to Morocco…

Book a Surf Camp in Taghazout, starting at US$215!

5. Nias, Sumatra, Indonesia

Nias is just one of many epic waves to be found in the North Sumatra region, along with the Mentawai Islands. In season, conditions here are flawless and consistent. The Mentawais are becoming the number one playground for advanced surfers looking to get barreled day in, day out…Reaching Nias and its waves will require a boat just like if you were going to the Mentawai Islands

4. Winkipop, Torquay, Australia

Home of Ripcurl, the famous surfing brand, Torquay is a very popular little surfing village just about an hour from Melbourne. It is also home of Bells Beach, an Australian iconic surf spot.

Bells is a world-class “down the line” surf spot where surfers can really show their powerful carves and radical maneuvers.

When to go: Although surfing is great all year round, conditions in Bells Beach, Torquay peak from April to October, during the austral winter season.

Read our complete surfing guide to Torquay, Australia

3. Kirra, Queensland, Australia

Kirra, Snapper Rocks, Superbank and Rainbow Bay are all different names for different sections of the same incredible wave located in Coolangatta, Gold Coast.

The most famous surf spot on the east coast of Australia (for good reasons), Kirra is a very consistent point break that works nearly all the time and on a good swell, it can become truly epic. Instead of having several takeoff spots from Snapper to Kirra, the wave becomes one huge line that can go on for ages.

Read our complete surfing guide to Gold Coast, Australia

As long as the crowds don’t scare you (they tend to get pretty heavy), this spot offers the perfect set up to catch the wave of a lifetime and with a bit of luck you might share the lineup with local legends like Mick Fanning or Joel Parkinson.

When to go: The best time to surf on the on the Gold Coast of Australia is from March to September.

2. Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

Jeffrey’s Bay and its surroundings are simply loaded with world-class right hand waves. From Cape St. Francis to Supertubes, this part of South Africa is a absolute surfing mecca and surfers didn’t take long to spread the word.

Read our surfing guide to Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

Despite regular shark sightings, sometimes resulting in attacks, and some pretty chilly water, passionate surfers still rush to J-Bay every year to catch some insane rights.

The wave offers a bit of everything from fast down-the-line sections to challenging hollow ones to practice tube riding skills.

1. Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii

This long and consistent right wave truly embodies what Hawaiian surfing is like. Beautiful, consistent, powerful and raw. Honolua Bay lights up when the first north swells hit Hawaii early November and fires up until the end of winter somewhere around April.

Over this period of time, a highlight reel of tube riding action takes place is this peaceful bay located on the west side of Maui.

Honolua Bay has also been the venue for the last event of the women’s CT every year since 2014.

Read our complete surfing guide to Maui, Hawaii

The post World’s 10 Best Right-Hand Waves appeared first on My Wave Finder.

• Summary

• When to go

• Where to stay

• Getting there

• Safety/things to know

• Surf spots

   

Summary

Maui is one of the best surfing destinations in the world. With consistent swell exposure from all directions, beginner-friendly waves, and some of the most powerful breaks on Earth, surfing in Maui has something for everyone. Whether you’re chasing barrels at Honolua Bay or learning to pop up in Lahaina, Maui delivers a memorable surf trip filled with Aloha spirit and tropical beauty.

Unlike the bustling surf scene on Oahu, Maui offers a more laid-back vibe with fewer crowds, but still enough nightlife, restaurants, and community to keep things interesting. It’s the perfect balance between the energy of Oahu and the solitude of Kauai or Big Island.

Best Time to Surf Maui

The best time to surf Maui, Hawaii depends on what kind of conditions you are looking for. November to March is the big surfing season on Maui as heavy north swells are consistently push towards the islands. There are also some nice and mellow south swells to be found on the south side of Maui during this season.

April to October will offer decent south swells and almost nonexistent northern swells. This season will also be drier and warmer.

Where to stay on Maui

On the north shore, the historic town of Pa’ia is an awesome place to stay giving you access to beautiful beaches and it also happens to be the departure point of Road to Hana. This town is charming, quiet and has several nice cafés and restaurants.

The Pa’ia Inn is a great hotel in the heart of Pa’ia with awesome rooms and reviews.

On the west side, the island is more developed and you can find a lot of great higher end resorts as well as smaller vacation rentals. Kaanapali is sort of midway between Honolua Bay and Lahaina and has some great places to stay like the Whalers Resort.

It is also possible to visit Maui on a tight budget. There are a few campsites which are much cheaper than hotels or vacation rentals. Make sure to acquire the right permits as free camping not allowed on the island.

Surf spots on Maui

Honolua bay

Honolua Bay is Maui’s gem when it comes to surfing. It is a long and perfect wave breaking from the point and peeling right into the bay producing some amazing barrel opportunities on good days. Crowds are definitely a factor here so make sure to have the right surfing etiquette and respect the locals.

• Wave direction : Right
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : N
• Optimal wind direction : SE

Ho’okipa

Located on Maui’s north shore, Ho’okipa is known as the world’s best kite surfing and wind surfing spot with its insanely consistent crosswinds. However, regular surfers can also have a blast at Ho’okipa when the wind fades a bit or by going to the point which is quite sheltered. Ho’okipa is just a short drive away from Pa’ia on the way to Road to Hana.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef and sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
• Optimal swell direction : N
• Optimal wind direction : S

Pe’ahi (Jaws)

Pe’ahi doesn’t need any presentation being one of the world’s most known big wave surfing spot. For most people, watching is gonna be the best option on a large north swell. Simply park at the end of Pea’hi road and walk to the top of the cliff which will give you the best view of the spot.

• Wave direction : Right
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Experts and big wave surfers only
• Optimal swell direction : NW
• Optimal wind direction : SE

Lahaina

Located on the southwest end of Maui, Lahaina is a nice little trendy surf town with a few nice longboard spots. It is also an ideal, if no the best place for people to learn how to surf on Maui.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SW
• Optimal wind direction : NE

Getting there

Fly into Kahului airport from any of the Hawaiian island or the mainland. Flights from Asia will transit in Honolulu. There is an airport in Kapalua for domestic Hawaiian flights only.

Safety/things to know

• Waves in Hawaii can be very big and mean with swells coming from nowhere and doubling in size in a matter of minutes, especially in winter. Be very careful. If in doubt, don’t go out.
• Respecting the locals is important wherever you go but even more so in Hawaii. Make sure you have a good surfing etiquette.

The post Maui, Hawaii, USA appeared first on My Wave Finder.