Jaws (Pe'ahi) is the birthplace of tow-in surfing and Hawaii's most prestigious big wave venue. Located on Maui's north shore, the wave breaks over a deep reef and produces towering 40-80 foot faces that travel at 30+ mph—too fast to catch paddling. The wave only wakes up during the largest winter swells, about 15 days per year. The setting is dramatic: red cliffs above, blue water below, and walls of water that seem to defy gravity. This is where modern big wave surfing was invented.
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Paddle/tow-in
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions