The Fiance and I are honeymooning in Maui starting on September 1st, 2010. We are staying at Lahaina Resort over on the west/sw side of Maui. Never been to the islands before. I know that the shallow left hander in front of my hotel is called "Shark Pits". it is supposedly a very legit wave, and according to my calculations, it should be in the ideal position to pick up the south swells that time of year... Not looking for crazy insider advice, but if anyone has any advice of waves I have to check out or things I should definately do while on Maui, I would love some insight... I have already posted this thread in the Hawaii forum, but I know a ton of you guys make the winter trips out to the islands so maybe you guys could help shed some light.. So far, from what I have researched, I have encountered the typical Hawaiian kind or explanations... They make every reef sounds SUPER gnarly and shallow. They list every spot as being Shark Infested and Loc'ed out... So, I know that basically it is the first step in Hawaii at preventing tons of surfers flooding their area, but a lot of the info I am reading about surfing in Maui seems pretty jazzed up and doctored to keep people away... Just looking for some friendly advice. To keep everyone calm, if you have names etc that are off the beaten path, please PM we so we dont hurt any feelings. thanks.
I've only been to Maui in the winter, but I believe September is an ideal time for Southerly swells. Its really nice on the northwest side. You and the woman will love it.
Very wet from what I understand. Costa was a choice, so was the carrebean. But its the middle of the rainy season in central america and its the middle of hurricane season in the carrebean. So, since its a honey moon and not a full on surf trip, Hawaii of Tahiti were our major choices. Perfect weather that time of year in Hawaii and south swells.
Ive been to maui a lot of time and i have surfed shark pit a bunch. its a sick right but has a really good left across the channel. Lahiana harbor and break wall are really fun to. Right up the way about 15 minutes is honolua bay then windmills. If you keep going around youll find some fun very uncrowded waves. Im not naming spots but i will say be very careful!!! dont leave your car out of sight. And if locals paddle out it would be best to paddle in. Other then that south side and west sides of maui fire in those months
Thanks Zop. Yeah, I lloked at the google images of all the coastline out there. I see tons of places that are probably going to be working. But since its the honeymoon, and im from the mainland, I will probably stick to more easily accessible, probably more crowded spots. A place where I may have to share the waves with lots of people, but my lady can be safe on the beach and I wont get my windows busted out by locals =) I know how to respect when I travel, but when I surf, I get waves and I will be in a rented Jeep or something so I will pretty much anyone who sees me will know I am a tourist.... So, Im not trying to get in any scuffles over surfing out there. I have enough crowds all year where I live, so Im used to it. I wont be surfing everyday anyway since its the honeymoon. I drag the fiance all over already while I surf, so i must tread lightly on the honeymoon when it comes to water time. So, if I am driving the coats and see a left point or something that just looks too good to pass up, I may have to go down and paddle out, but if anyone shows up etc, I will peace out quickly and move on... Same kinda thing i do in baja. See a good spot... Usually a local way down in baja will see you and come down to check things out and then I just move along. Most guys are cool, but there are some spots everywhere that only locals are allowed to surf. I know quite a few. And i never surf them... I would like to, but its bad kharma.... I wont even ask about golf in maui, cause the fiance might kill me if I surf and golf... yikes.
Never been, but did some research . . . when I was waiting to hear about a job at Haleakala National Park near the end of my teaching career. If you and new bride are looking for a diversion on a flat or sloppy surf day, sunrise at the top of Haleakala comes highly recommended, and you can contact a bike shop near the base who will shuttle you up to the top for the sunrise, and then you get to ride bikes (no peddling necessary) all the way back down to just enjoy the changing scenery. If you're into adventure, you can either hike or head for the bottom of the crater on horseback and even camp at a small cabin along the trail, but I think you have to make those arrangements well ahead of time. Sunrise on top of Haleakala is known worldwide for its vistas above the clouds. And then there's the far side of Haleakala park on the road to Hana that's really pretty. Just don't go scrambling along the waterline on a tide shift, several people have been swept out to sea around there. Just be sure to have fun, which I'm sure you will. Excellent snorkeling at an offshore atoll as well.
i was in oahu. diamond head to be exact about 6 weeks ago. it was great, but the surf was pretty whatever. had to go up the road to find breaks that were going off, but i did find a few. i'm hoping to go back this year, i had already been there back in 99. it's beautiful, and i would love to move there if i could. i'm hoping to one day. wanna try maui cause i like what i hear.
i surfed Lahaina in maui last August. It was about knee to occ waist. Many people have told me that hawaiis waves are much different and harder to surf. I never had a problem transfering from east coast to west coast to hawaii.
Yeah, it was an easy transition for me. Most waves are bigger and easier to surf as you travel further west... It just takes some time to mentally get comfortable with the huge wave faces and the reef bottoms and stuff, but once you actually get a nice big swell and get some waves, you realize that you have been surfing the most difficult "waves" around in the mid-atlantic. 12 foot point breaks in CA are much easier to navigate then a true 6-7 foot beach break on OC MD. Ill tell ya that much. But again, if it was knee high in Maui when you surfed, that makes things as easy as it gets really. You will definately second guess yourself if its overhead and you are about to drop into a shallow dredger.... And the reef in Maui aint like the reefs where I live... I surf slab rock reef and stuff, not too much coral. That razor coral looks gnarly. I have back flopped on reef and not had a scratch on me, but I dont think Hawaii will give you the same affect.
Lahina harbor is the best spot in town. There is a left off the jetty to the left, which is the more famous wave. There is also a right off the other jetty to the right a about a 2 min walk down the sidewalk. Lahina harbor is a great wave and its got a really chill vibe, and there is a huge banyan tree just across the street where you can chill in the shade. Plus there are tons of shops and whatnot around this area, so you wife could easily keep herself occupied. There is also a secret wave I know about. If u head out of Lahina not sure which direction exactly I just know your heading the opposite way of Kahanipali. But anyway head this direction and just when u get out of the main town, there is a housing complex with a black gate at the enterance, there is a suuuper fun a frame here. Its pretty easy to find, just look for a big black gate gaurding a bunch of vacation looking homes. I used to know the code, but have forgotten it. But you can just wait for someone to go in and follow them, or park outside of the gate and walk. The wave is just off the swimming pool. I really recommend this spot. I'll google earth it and give u more exact info when I have some more time. Also Kahanipali has a fun wave called turtle bay or something. Its a fun long left, but it takes a little more swell to get good. Its at the turtle bay resort, which is where that movie Forgetting Sarah Marshel was, so once again lots for you wife to do here, a nice pool and stuff, and they let guest use it all. If u get a chance don't skip out on diving or snorkeling while your there. I'd recommend a dive trip to the Molokini crater, that place is sick!!! And a boat out there should be easy to arrange. Hope you have a good trip.
Also Kahanipali has a fun wave called turtle bay or something. Its a fun long left, but it takes a little more swell to get good. Its at the turtle bay resort, which is where that movie Forgetting Sarah Marshel was, so once again lots for you wife to do here, a nice pool and stuff, and they let guest use it all. If u get a chance don't skip out on diving or snorkeling while your there. I'd recommend a dive trip to the Molokini crater, that place is sick!!! And a boat out there should be easy to arrange. Hope you have a good trip.[/QUOTE] Not sure what spot you're thinking of but Turtle Bay is on the North Shore of Oahu, not on Maui.
ya.. i guess i messed that one up. The spot is called turtle bay, cause there are lots of sea turtles that swim around the lineup. The resort is called the Napili bay resort, which is in Ka'anipali. My dang...
Is the spot your thinking of called "****ties" Theres like a small parking lot at the top and a little trail to the beach? Its also called ironwood beach
No your right it is Turtle bay. Just not the one everyone knows. I love that wave "hole in the head" that is right there!!!
