Little Beach Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
Well exposed to S to SSW, which are most common -- heavy shadowing on SW swells. The much more rare, larger wintertime WNW swells that slip under Kauai/Ni'ihau can also get in.
Wind
Calm or offshore from NNE to ESE, with NE straight offshore.
Surf Height
Waist high-overhead
Tide
Medium to high
Little Beach Surf Guide
Big Beach and Little Beach are beautiful, scenic beaches adjacent to one another on the southern end of Maui. Both mainly offer skimboarding, bodysurfing, and bodyboarding with shorepound that can get sizeable and strong with closeout barrels. Bigger, longer period swells will sometimes offer a surfboard option off the rocks on the sides of each cove. Little Beach is also known as Pu'u Ola'i Beach, and is the only generally accepted clothing optional beach on Maui.
Ability Level
All Abilities
Ability levels varies with the skimming, bodyboarding, and bodysurfing activities, as well as the size of the swell.
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Minimal to none. Be cool and keep it that way.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
Usually minimal, but can sometimes get a little crowd when solid.
Spot Rating
Poor
Most of the time it is just shorepound.
Shoulder Burn
Light
Short, very little.
Water Quality
Clean
Pristine.
Hazards
Dangerous shorepound. Hitting the rocks.
Bring Your
Bodyboard, Skimming, Bodysurfing, Shortboard
Access
Easy. Makena State Park off Makena Road.
Bottom
Mostly sand with rocks off each end of the coves.
Best Season
Potential for swell to show all year, but best and much more consistent through summer with swells from the S to SW. The more rare, larger wintertime WNW swells that slip under Kauai/Ni'ihau.
Do you have local knowledge about Little Beach?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]