Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is Maui's crown jewel—one of Hawaii's best point breaks, offering long rides through multiple sections. Molokai island shadows pure NW swells, so it needs a N component to fire. When it's on, it's world-class.
Honolua Bay surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (330°)
- Direction range
- 315° - 20°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 4.6m
- Ideal size
- 3.1m - 3.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
24°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
6m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
5/10
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
8/10
Access: Trail from parking area. Short walk through trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Honolua Bay?
Honolua Bay is a point break in NW Coast, Maui, USA, that mostly breaks right over a reef bottom. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 6m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What's the story behind Honolua Bay?
Honolua Bay is part of the 45-acre Honolua-Mokuleʻia Marine Life Conservation District, with views across to Molokai and Lanai.
What swell works best at Honolua Bay?
Honolua Bay picks up swell from the NW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNW. It starts working at around 1.8m and handles up to about 4.6m, with the sweet spot around 3.1 to 3.9m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Honolua Bay?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Honolua Bay, and anything from the E round to the SSE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Honolua Bay?
Honolua Bay is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Honolua Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Honolua Bay comes Nov to Mar. Nov-Mar. One of Hawaii's best point breaks. Molokai shadows pure NW; needs N component.
How cold is the water at Honolua Bay?
The water at Honolua Bay averages around 24°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Honolua Bay good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 8/10), so mind the pecking order. Long rides through multiple sections. Molokai shadows pure NW; needs N component.
How do I get to Honolua Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is OGG, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Trail from parking area. Short walk through trees.
What other surf spots are near Honolua Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Honokohau Bay (3.0 km), Ma'alaea (28 km) and Hookipa (31 km), handy when Honolua Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Nov-Mar. One of Hawaii's best point breaks. Molokai shadows pure NW; needs N component.
Getting There
👨👩👧👦Family Travel
Nearby Spots
Honokohau Bay
🌊 Honolua's neighbor • Less crowded • Solid right reef
Ma'alaea
🚂 World's fastest wave • 300-yard barrel • Handful of times per year
Hookipa
🌬️ Windsurf capital • Multiple reef peaks • Consistent winter waves
Jaws
🦈 Where tow-in was born • Giant walls of water • Maui's monster
Sandy Beach
💥 Legendary shorebreak • Bodysurf paradise • Extremely powerful
Diamond Head Cliffs
💎 Multiple DH breaks • SE swell exposure • Heavy when on
Plan a trip around Honolua Bay
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