Surfing Honokohau Bay: The Complete Guide

Honokohau Bay is a reef break located in NW Coast, Maui, USA (HI), offering a right-hander along North America's diverse surf scene. Honokohau Bay sits just south of Honolua Bay and offers a less crowded alternative when Honolua is maxed out. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is N (355°), with workable conditions from NNW to N (340°–10°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Honokohau Bay needs a minimum of 1.2m / 4ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the ESE (120°). The full offshore range spans E to SSE (90°–160°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Honokohau Bay runs November, December, January, February, March (Nov–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Nov-Mar. Just south of Honolua. Less crowded alternative when Honolua is maxed.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 24°C / 75°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is OGG, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Access: Trail access.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Solid right reef break with barrel sections. Same swell window as Honolua.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10). Recommended board: a performance shortboard.

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Honokohau Bay? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Honokohau Bay is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*