Kanaha Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
NW to NE
Wind
Calm or offshore from the ESE clocking S to SW during passing fronts.
Surf Height
Waist high-2X overhead
Tide
Medium to high
Kanaha Surf Guide
Kanaha Beach sits mere yards from Kahului International Airport and less than two miles away from Town. Because it has a fairly unobstructed window to the North Pacific, Kanaha is consistently fun, though not a very critical wave. Reaching the peak involves a bicep-burning, near-half-mile paddle out to the edge of the reef, where the crumbly rights and lefts are dominated by SUPs and longboards. And like nearby Ho'okipa, Kanaha becomes shredded by the prevailing NE-ENE tradewind in the late-morning and afternoon, at which point the lineup becomes the domain of sail and kiteboarders.
Ability Level
Beginner - Intermediate
All levels can have fun -- Depends on size of course, but usually best suited for beginners to intermediate surfers.
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Mellow to none. Be cool and keep it that way.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
Minor and spread out.
Spot Rating
Poor
Usually always pretty soft, but gets more vertical when bigger.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Very long paddle out initially, but not bad once you're out there.
Water Quality
Clean
Pristine most of the time. There is a rivermouth here that will flow during periods of significant rain.
Hazards
Reef.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish, Bodyboard, Kiteboard
Access
Easy
Bottom
Reef
Best Season
Winter is best. Tradeswell in summer can be OK, at least rideable, but usually with strong sideshore wind.
Do you have local knowledge about Kanaha?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]