The 10 Best Surf Spots in Maui

Looking to surf in Maui but don’t know where to go? Check out this post for the 10 best surf spots in Maui!

Known as a surfer’s paradise, Maui is one of Hawaii’s many islands that has millions of wave-riding visitors from all over the world. In fact, the island itself even boasts of having more beginner surf breaks than any other Hawaiian island. The reason for this is because each beginner surf break in Maui has all of the hallmarks of a good one. These hallmarks include but are not limited to easy accessibility, non-competitive and lack of dangerous obstacles.

So, if you’re planning to surf for the first time in Maui, you’ve come to the right place! This post alone will highlight 10 of the best surf spots you can go to in Maui.

Maui Bucket List Series

P.S. This is a post in my Maui Bucket List series. Here is the complete 19-part series:

Hidden Gems: 10 Magical Hidden Gems in Maui, Hawaii

Black Sand Beaches: The 7 Most Amazing Black Sand Beaches in Maui

Poke: 12 Top Places to Get Poke in Maui

Breakfast: 8 Amazing Places to Get Breakfast in Lahaina, Maui

Coffee Shops: 7 Cozy Coffee Shops in Lahaina, Maui

Restaurants: The 12 Best Restaurants in Maui with a View

Accommodation: 10 Unique Places to Stay in Maui on a Budget

Sea Turtles: The 12 Best Places to See Sea Turtles in Maui

Surfing: The 10 Best Surf Spots in Maui

Road to Hana: The 7 Best Stops on the Road to Hana in Maui

Sunsets: 8 Incredible Places to Watch the Sunset in Maui

Waterfall Hikes: The 7 Best Waterfall Hikes in Maui

Vegan Food: 8 Incredible Vegan Restaurants in Maui

Instagram: 10 Incredible Maui Instagram Spots

Cheap Food: 10 Amazing Cheap Eats in Maui

Grocery Stores: The 8 Top Lahaina Grocery Stores You Need To Visit

Ka’anapali Restaurants: 9 Amazing Ka’anapali Restaurants You Don’t Want to Miss

Lahaina Restaurants: The 12 Coolest Restaurants in Lahaina on Front Street

Instagram Captions: 100 Media-Inspired Hawaii Captions for Your Instagram

Surf Spots in Maui Map

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Ho’okipa Beach (surf spots in maui)

Located on the North Shore, Ho’okipa Beach is a great go-to surfing spot in Maui! In fact, the beach itself has the perfect conditions for surfers with its north, northwest, west, and east swells.

So, if you’re planning to surf at Ho’okipa Beach for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it. Surfers however should watch out for riptides, relentless wave sets, sharp rocks and reefs around the area.

This beach is definitely not for beginner surfers so I highly recommend it for advanced riders.

Olowalu Beach (surf spots in maui)

Located off of the Honoapi’ilani Highway, Olowalu Beach is the easiest surf spot to access on the island. In fact, it’s great for beginner surfers over the summer since the waves are usually smaller and steadier during that time.

So, if you’re planning to surf at Olowalu Beach for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it. The only thing I would take severe caution against is the sharks since the waters near the beach are known for being the sharkiest around.

On the bright side, however, the water is super clean and there’s great visibility!

Ka’anapali Beach (surf spots in maui)

Ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Ka’anapali Beach is another great surf spot in Maui! As a great surf spot, the waves are always consistent and there are very few rocks. In fact, the gentle waves usually break left to make for short, fun rides.

So, if you’re planning to surf at Ka’anapali Beach for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it. As well as being a great surf spot, Ka’anapali Beach is also known for being sandy and for having undeniably perfect sunsets.

In addition, if you want to attend some group surf lessons at Ka’anapali Beach they start at $99 per person!

Paia Bay (surf spots in maui)

Known for being a popular hangout, Paia Bay is another great surf spot in Maui! It’s best for beginners during the winter months since the summer months are barely surfable. In fact, the best area to surf is usually towards the east side of the beach. You’ll get the best waves there and you won’t have to worry about rocks or reefs.

So, if you’re planning to surf at Paia Bay for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it! The parking lot at the beach does fill up fast so please plan ahead!

In addition, you’re also welcome to explore the basketball courts, picnic tables and skateboard park too.

Launiupoko (surf spots in maui)

Located past Mile Marker 18, Launiupoko Beach Park is another great surf spot in Maui! It’s popular for many local families, longboarders, and beginner surfers too. In fact, for beginner surfers the waves are very ideal. They break both left and right and they tend to be long, slow and rolling.

So, if you’re planning to surf at Launiupoko Beach Park for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it. The beach park is a great place to spend the day or at least an afternoon. In fact, you can even go to the grassy park that’s connected to the beach or the natural tide pool.

Puamana Beach Park (surf spots in maui)

Located past Mile Marker 19, Puamana Beach Park is another great surf spot in Maui! The rides there tend to be very brief and the waves often break all at once. However, it’s not a bad place to practice. In fact, since the waves are such a short distance from the shore, they make for easy breaks.

So, if you’re planning to surf at Puamana Beach Park for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it. As you ride the waves, you might even see some chickens roaming around the parking lot and the grass if you’re lucky.

Grandma’s (surf spots in maui)

Known for being the only surf break with an adjacent campground, Grandma’s is another surf spot you don’t want to miss in Maui! It has surfable waves between Mile Markers 11 and 11.5 and it’s just a few feet away from Papalaua Park. Grandma’s is even characterized for having gentle and mushy waves that break left and right over the reef.

So, if you’re planning to surf on Grandma’s for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it. The surf spot however can get cramped at times so do be sure to spread out. In fact, with the right swell, some waves even stretch out towards Thousand Peaks.

Thousand Peaks (surf spots in maui)

Named for its endless peaks, Thousand Peaks is another great surf spot in Maui! Located at Mile Marker 12, the “thousand” in Thousand Peaks refers to the thousands of endless peaks and waves that can be found on the stretch of surf breaks. The waves and peaks are even known for breaking all over, both left and right. So, in other words, if you’re not careful, a surfer can easily get “caught inside”. Meaning, once the waves start to break, the surfer is trapped.

So, if you’re planning to surf Thousand Peaks for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend paddling out in a horseshoe shape if you get caught inside. In fact, having an experienced surfer surf the break with you can make all the difference.

Pe’ahi (surf spots in maui)

Nicknamed Jaws Beach, Pe’ahi is another great surf spot in Maui! It has the most massive, fast-moving waves on the North Shore, making it powerful. In fact, professional surfer Mike Parsons is even known for riding a 64 foot wave at this spot.

The video above gives you a brief look into his ride as well as why many recommend the spot for professionals only.

So, if you’re planning to visit Pe’ahi for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it. Even if you’re not the best surfer, you’re always welcome to stand at the beach and watch the action unfold.

Honolua Bay (surf spots in maui)

Known for being one of the best surf spots in Hawaii, Honolua Bay is another Maui surfing spot you don’t want to miss! It has a powerful, hollow reef break point for surfers as well as a world-class wave.

So, if you’re planning to surf Honolua Bay for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend it! Professional surfer, Mark Richards, even described the spot as “the best wave in the world” which says a lot.

In addition, if you’re looking to take a break from surfing, Honolua Bay also offers snorkeling excursions as well!

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Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the 10 best surf spots in Maui! Please let me know in the comments down below which surf spot you would like to visit the most! I would love to hear from you. 🙂

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