Surfing in Maui, Hawaii

Though Kauai and Oahu are better known for advanced waves, Maui has some great waves too if you know where to look. It also has a bunch of great spots to learn at.
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Maui Surf Lessons

The Cove, South Maui

Many surf schools go to the Cove in Kihei, south Maui. There are 2 types of ocean bottom here: a mostly dead reef and some sand bars. If you can surf over the sand, you'll be better off. Over the reef, you'll want some reef booties. Both areas have very smoothly graded bottoms and are shallow. This allows for slower, mellower waves. This area gets very little swell, which means the waves are usually small. The islands in the distance offer a very small window for waves to sneak through, though on occasion the waves can sneak by and get big in the summer.

When surfing over reefs in Maui, you need to make sure that when you fall (and you will fall), fall flat. Never fall head first, and be careful of your surfboard and the bottom. Either one will hurt you if they get the chance.

Thousand Peaks, West Maui

Some surf schools run lessons out here. If you don't find any that you like, you can always rent a board. We'd rather see you do a lesson first if you've never done it before.

Only paddle out where you've seen others do the same. At some spots, it's dangerous to enter and exit in certain areas. Watch people before they go in to better understand where it is.

For exact location, ask a surfboard rental agent or a surf instructor. Thousands Peaks is found just north of the cliff road called the Pali. This is the road between Maalaea and Lahaina.

Honolua Bay

The videos to the right were taken at Honolua Bay, just north of Kapalua. This is one of the best waves on the island, and also one of the most fickle. The chances of you surfing it at this level are slim. Also, if you don't have some kind of local connection, please stay out of the water. There are plenty of other spots to surf as a tourist.