Ma'alaea
Ma'alaea (Freight Trains) is considered the world's fastest rideable wave—a 150-300+ yard barrel that fires only a handful of times per year when huge south swells slip through the gap between Kahoolawe and Maui. When it runs, it's one of surfing's greatest spectacles.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
📊 Buoy ValidationBuoy Data
SW Hawaii
433 km away
Source: noaa
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (190°)
- Direction range
- 160° - 210°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 3.6m
- Ideal size
- 3.2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Offshore range
- 290° - 10°
- Best window
- morning
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
4m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
1/10
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
4/10
👥 Spring Break (Mar 14 – Mar 22) — expect extra crowds
Access: Access from Ma'alaea Harbor area.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
May-Sep. World's fastest rideable wave. Fires only a handful of times per year.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Hookipa
🌬️ Windsurf capital • Multiple reef peaks • Consistent winter waves
Honokohau Bay
🌊 Honolua's neighbor • Less crowded • Solid right reef
Honolua Bay
🌺 Maui's crown jewel • Quarter-mile rights • When it's on, it's ON
Jaws
🦈 Where tow-in was born • 30mph walls of water • Maui's monster
Pine Trees
🌲 Kona's most consistent • Multiple peaks • Local favorite
Sandy Beach
💥 Legendary shorebreak • Bodysurf paradise • Extremely powerful