Flemming Beach Park
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Flemming Beach Park is an exposed beach-and-reef break on Maui’s northwest coast with consistently surfable conditions. The shoreline is sandy with reef/rock hazards at the ends and sides, and the water can deepen quickly from the beach. Safety is a major factor here. Multiple sources highlight heavy shorebreak and strong rip currents, including currents that pull toward rocks near the rocky points. This combination has been associated with neck/back injuries and spinal-injury risk from the shorebreak, so entry and exit require extra caution—especially for beginners and children. For surfing, the spot is described as having hollow, fast-peeling waves and a generally powerful shorebreak. Rides are mainly short and intense on the shore, with the potential for slightly longer rides on the outer reef. Larger winter swells can make conditions extremely heavy and dangerous. Facilities include showers and toilets, plus picnic areas and parking, and lifeguards are present year-round. Water quality is generally described as clean, but heavy-rain runoff can increase contamination risk—so the guidance is to avoid entering for at least 72 hours after heavy rain and to respect lifeguard instructions and designated swimming areas.
- Exposed beach and reef break with consistent surf
- Year-round lifeguards and amenities (showers/toilets/picnic)
- Notorious heavy shorebreak and strong rip currents—requires experience
- Consistent surf on an exposed beach-and-reef setup.
- Year-round lifeguard presence and full on-site amenities (showers/toilets/picnic areas).
- Offshore conditions can occur in NE tradewinds, supporting cleaner surf at times.
- Heavy shorebreak and strong rip currents; high injury risk when entering/exiting.
- Currents can pull toward rocks at the sides; submerged hazards and sudden drop-offs are present.
- Can become extremely heavy and dangerous during larger winter swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast tradewinds; surrounding cliffs/terrain often provide some shelter from the strongest flow.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Often sheltered from the full force of trade winds by surrounding cliffs and terrain.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach; sand with reef/rock hazards at the ends/sides.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as powerful/heavy at times; can become extremely heavy with large winter swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach area suitable for board entry; long sandy beach with tree shade.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Also described as moderate launch difficulty; shoreline entry is the main challenge due to heavy shorebreak and currents.
Through the year
Peak summer and holidays; quieter on weekdays; can be busy on weekends and during peak winter surf events.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed beach and reef break with consistent surf; best suited for experienced surfers given the heavy shorebreak and currents. Can be challenging for beginners.
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in tradewinds (NE), but can be prone to cross-winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become extremely heavy and dangerous with large winter swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Also described as moderate in some guides; conditions can become extremely heavy and dangerous in larger winter surf.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Some sources also characterize the break as beach-and-reef with consistent surf.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Mainly short, intense rides on the shorebreak; slightly longer on the outer reef.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, intense shorebreak rides; slightly longer rides when the outer reef comes into play.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Flemming Beach Park in the full forecast view.
Flemming Beach Park wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–13 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- NE50°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2913 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.1 m9s period
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Flemming Beach Park is forecast for daytime winds of 5–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.2–2.1 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Rocks
- Heavy shore break
- Strong rip currents
- Currents pulling toward rocks on the sides
- Submerged rocks / sudden drop-offs
- Spinal-injury risk from shore break
- Pollution risk after heavy rain/runoff contamination
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes
- Emergency Info
- Call 911. Ocean safety lifeguards are on-site year-round; nearest medical facilities are in Lahaina.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
No swimming within 72 hours after heavy rain; respect designated swimming areas and follow lifeguard instructions.
- Do not swim within 72 hours after heavy rain.
- Beginners and children should stay in shallow water.
- Wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain before entering due to runoff contamination.
- Be extremely cautious when entering or exiting because the shorebreak is notorious for causing neck and back injuries.
- Parking fills quickly; arrive early.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Napili-Honokowai
- Nearest Town
- Napili-Honokowai
- Nearest Airport
- Kahului Airport (OGG)
- Parking
- Parking fills quickly due to popularity; single entrance via steep descent from Hwy 30.
- Public Transport
- Limited bus service via Maui Bus; a rental vehicle is necessary for transporting sports equipment.
- Access
- Turn off Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy 30) at Mile Marker 31.1, one mile north of Office Road; descend steeply and turn right onto Lower Honoapiilani Road. The beach is on the left after going past Kapalua northbound.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — High-end resorts, luxury villas, and vacation rentals within the Kapalua and Napili areas.
- Food & Drink
- Picnic tables and grills on-site; restaurants and cafes nearby in Kapalua.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are available in nearby Honokowai or Lahaina.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A natural geyser formed by ocean waves surging into an underwater cave.
A protected marine sanctuary significant to Hawaiian culture and ecology.
A scenic hiking path winding through lava fields and coastal dunes.
Iconic beachfront dining offering Pacific Rim cuisine.
A classic sandy beach with picnic facilities and lifeguards.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Flemming Beach Park?
The best overall months at Flemming Beach Park are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Flemming Beach Park?
Flemming Beach Park works with NE, ENE winds.
What skill level is Flemming Beach Park suitable for?
Flemming Beach Park suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.