Kahului Harbor Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
NNW to NE
Wind
Calm or S to W during passing fronts.
Surf Height
Chest-overhead for the harbor wedge
Tide
Lower tides
Kahului Harbor Surf Guide
Located on the north-central coast of Maui is the Kahului Harbor, which is a worthy and super-fun place to get your feet wet. There are several good breaks inside and outside of the harbor, which all light up on a solid N swell, but the best wave is the right on the west side of the harbor. Large swells push through the wide entrance with energy refracting out of the deeper channel and crossing up with swell energy reflecting off the jetty, creating a powerful roll-in wedge over shallow water. This mini-Box-like wedge is a favorite of bodyboarders and surfers adept at negotiating abrupt steps and chucking barrels. There is a left off of this same peak, but it dumps into the deep water of the channel, thus not offering much. On top of that, watch out for urchins, rocks, tricky rip currents, pollution, and sharks. Despite the many obstacles, a Kahului Harbor right tube is an experience worth attempting.
Local Vibe
Humility and respect appreciated.
Crowd Factor
Uncrowded when the swell is small and winds are not right, but very crowded during a solid northerly swell, especially if the winds shift from the S to W.
Spot Rating
More of a novelty, but super fun when it's working.
Shoulder Burn
Paddling to the spot is easy, but currents can make it hard to remain in the spot.
Water Quality
You're inside the harbor with considerable pollution.
Hazards
Pollution, shallow bottom on the right wedge, urchins, shifty current.
Access
Easy. Parking at the harbor, then jump in the water at the lineup.
Bottom
Reef and sand
Best Season
Winter
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