Continent |
North America |
Country |
Hawaii (USA) |
Next Big City |
Kahului, Maui |
Next Town |
Kahului |
|
Type: |
Ocean |
Rider Ability: |
Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
School, Toilet, Parking |
Water
Type: |
Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave |
Hazards: |
No information |
Quality: |
Crystal clear |
Best Tide: |
Tide independent |
Inside is flat and calm outside the point area is choppy and at the reef there are waves (righthanders). Water can be very packed.
Beach
Type: |
Sand |
Size: |
Small |
Hazards: |
Rocks, Trees |
Beach Users: |
None |
The best launch site has a point with riders launching one at a time. Rigging is under big trees and out of the wind and then you take your kite to the point with clean winds for launching. Launching off kitebeach can be tricky: ask the local riders for advice before launching to avoid causing potential danger to yourself and others.
Weather
Spring:
|
Shorts |
Summer:
|
Shorts |
Fall:
|
Shorts |
Winter:
|
Shorts |
The water is 78-80°F (26°C). Air 76°F in average year-round.
Wind
Best Months: |
May, June, July, August, September, October |
Wind Type: |
Trade |
Best Direction: |
NNE, NE |
Main Direction: |
NE, ENE, E |
Winds are sideonshore blowing from right to left towards the shore and will typically start up around 9 am until 6 pm. May thru October offers the best winds for windsurfing and kiteboarding. The further East the wind blows, the gustier it will be at the beach. Best with NNE, then you can ride onto the beach.
How to get there
Transport |
Car |
Access
|
Short walk |
Kanaha Beach Park. Kahului International Airport. Get a rental pickup for about USD 20/day. It is THE kitebeach, so every surfer knows that beach. Located on Amala Place. Just west of the airport.
Extra information
No kiteboarding before 11am! Fishermen, swimmers and outrigger canoes have right of way. Watch out for runaway kites since it is the playground for many pros practicing every day. Can be very packed close to the beach! Don't leave any cash or small valuable things in the car. No problem for gear. Better bring no cash or take it down to the beach. View the map and read the official rules: With the increasing popularity of kiteboarding, kiteboarders on Maui see the need to step up self-regulating efforts to keep the sport growing in a positive direction. In addition, all kiteboarders are under specific FAA waiver stipulations. The FAA waiver stipulates that all kiteboarders must comply with: 1. No maneuvers shall be performed over persons or property not involved with kiteboarding activities; 2. No kiteboarding in the 2 mile long by one mile wide corridor at the end of the runway in Spreckelsville; 3. The waiver is applicable and only valid between the hours of official sunrise and sunset; 4. All kiteboarders operating within the area from Ho`okipa to Waihee Point shall be responsible for seeing and avoiding non-participants; and 5. The kite will not be operated 125 feet above sea level. Maui County requires that windsurfers and kiteboarders observe the 11 o'clock rule , which was developed by windsurfers, fishermen, spear fishermen and swimmers 17 years ago, and adopted by the state. That rule allows for swimmers and fishermen to have exclusive access to the ocean prior to 11 am. After 11 am, when the winds pick up to near-full strength, windsurfers and kiteboarders have shared access, while watching out for any fishermen who may still be practicing their sport.
Nightlife
Kahului does not offer much in the way of nightlife...far better to go to Lahaina on the west side, Kihei on the south side, or up to Paia on the north shore.