Boat House (Maui / Boat House)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Boat House is a small, shallow kitesurfing launch on Maui’s south coast near Wailea/Kihei, known for crystal-clear water and a flat profile with small chop and small waves. The beach is sand and the launch area is described as narrow, with limited space to rig and launch, making setup and access management important. Wind performance is primarily associated with northerly conditions (N is listed as best). The spot is described as a winter-oriented option that may work when N or NW winds wrap around the corridor, or when Kona (south/southwest) events create the right onshore flow. Typical conditions are described with a wind range around 12–22 knots, but reliability is noted as low to moderate because it depends on the right weather pattern. Safety planning is essential: the water is shallow over a reef/rocky bottom and includes a prominent shipwreck on the left side near access. At low tide the reef can become extremely shallow, and turbulence can be created by nearby structures and vegetation close to shore. There is no dedicated rescue service reported on-site for this specific corridor and lifeguards are not indicated at the launch, so be prepared to self-manage. Overall, Boat House is best viewed as an intermediate-focused winter alternative for riders who can handle shallow-water launches and clear, small-wave conditions when the wind window is right.
- Crystal-clear water
- N winds best
- Shipwreck landmark on the left near launch
- Small chop/low-wave profile
- Crystal-clear, calm-to-small-chop water profile
- Best wind aligns with N/northerly directions during multiple winter months
- Winter alternative when other areas are not working
- Small, shallow launch with limited space
- Underwater hazards (shallow reef/rocks and a shipwreck landmark on the left)
- Low to moderate wind reliability; often depends on winter wind-event windows
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- No-go directions
- S, SW
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — N to NW winds are best; Kona-style (south/southwest) wrap-around can also activate the spot when trades are not working.
- Reliability
- Low to moderate; primarily relies on winter storm fronts or wrap-around northerlies.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Spot described as having moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Small chop and small waves described.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Small chop described; otherwise generally flat.
- Launch
- Small — Small beach with limited space; shipwreck on the left near access.
Through the year
Generally quiet, but can become crowded with local riders during rare Kona wind events.
Rainy season typically occurs from November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works primarily with northerly winds (N best) and also during winter windows when N or NW winds wrap around, or during Kona (S/SW) wind events. The spot is described as shallow/flat with small chop and small waves, with a narrow launch and underwater obstacles, so it is mainly suited to riders who can manage shallow water.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible during the same wind windows as kitesurfing, but the reef is very shallow and requires extra caution with foil mast length.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil-friendliness reported due to shallow reef.
- Min Depth
- Varies significantly with tide; very shallow over the reef.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Boat House (Maui / Boat House) in the full forecast view.
Boat House (Maui / Boat House) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- NNE17°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Boat House (Maui / Boat House) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.5–0.7 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- shallow water
- shipwreck near launch (left side)
- shallow reef/rocks
- narrow beach/limited rigging space
- proximity to residential structures
- turbulence close to shore from buildings/vegetation
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at this specific launch.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue service is reported for this corridor; rely on regional response and local volunteer help in Kihei.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, call 911. Rescue availability in this corridor is limited; no dedicated coastguard base is reported on-site.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported; visitors should respect residents and access.
Rules of the spot
Be respectful of local residents and keep gear organized to maintain access.
- Limited rigging space.
- No designated kite zone.
- Watch for the shipwreck on the left when accessing the beach.
- Check the tide before heading out because the reef can become extremely shallow at low tide.
- If wind is blown out on the North Shore, the spot may be a useful alternative during the right N/NW wrap-around or Kona (S/SW) conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Wailea
- Nearest Town
- Kihei
- Nearest Airport
- Kahului Airport (OGG)
- Parking
- Limited street parking is available along Waiohuli Street.
- Public Transport
- Maui Bus provides connectivity along coastal routes (Kihei Islander / Wailea Islander).
- Access
- Traveling south, take South Kihei Road to the left, then turn right on Waiohuli St. until you see the beach access sign; look for the shipwreck on the left.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals are available in the Kihei and Wailea areas.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and cafes are located along South Kihei Road.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available directly at the spot; shops are located in central Kihei or Kahului.
- Gear Storage
- None reported at the spot.
- Gear Repair
- None at the spot; repair services are described as available through specialty shops in Kihei and nearby Kahului.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Boat House (Maui / Boat House)?
The best overall months at Boat House (Maui / Boat House) are January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Boat House (Maui / Boat House)?
Boat House (Maui / Boat House) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N. No-go directions are S, SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Boat House (Maui / Boat House)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Boat House (Maui / Boat House): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Boat House (Maui / Boat House) suitable for?
Boat House (Maui / Boat House) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced.