Haycraft Park (Maui)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Haycraft Park (Maui) is a small, low-profile beach launch east of Maʻalaea that’s known for crystal-clear water and generally flat-to-choppy conditions for wind-powered sports. The spot’s best wind directions are SSE through SSW, aligning with the south/Kona setups that riders use when conditions on the north side aren’t suitable.
- Best wind directions: SSE to SSW
- Crystal-clear water
- Kona wind alternative when trade-wind conditions are unsuitable
- Crystal-clear water and generally flat-to-choppy conditions for kitesurfing when wind direction is right.
- Strong south-wind (Kona) alternative when typical trade winds fail.
- Shore access is straightforward: the park is reached from Hauoli Street near the beach.
- Good visibility helps navigation around limited launch space.
- Very narrow beach area, especially at high tide—line/traffic management is critical.
- Can be dangerous when wind is not from the south; trade winds may be dangerously offshore.
- Power lines and trees near the beach create hazards for self-landing and lines.
- Limited on-site infrastructure and no on-site rescue service.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSE, S, SSW
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — SSE to SSW winds; trade-wind pattern for the spot’s main season.
- Reliability
- Low (highly dependent on Kona weather systems)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf is described as small; the reef/nearshore behavior varies by tide and season.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Flat to chop for kitesurfing; inside conditions can be choppy.
- Launch
- Small — Beach launch along the shore; narrow sandy beach. Space can be limited during high tide.
Through the year
Quiet on trade wind days; can become crowded with local kiters during rare Kona wind events.
Rainy season typically runs from November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat to choppy water with crystal clarity. Works as a south-shore alternative during south (Kona) wind setups; inside conditions can be choppier depending on the reef and swell.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Functional during South or Kona wind conditions, but less popular due to wind being fickle.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Excellent for foiling during Kona winds: water stays relatively flat and deepens quickly from shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A reef roughly 2,000 ft offshore can produce waves depending on tides and season, while inside/nearby water can be choppy. The local surfing is best associated with south swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Clean with light N winds; choppy with Kona winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out when swells exceed 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Quick beach break peaks.
- Ride Length Details
- Quick beach break peaks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Haycraft Park (Maui) in the full forecast view.
Haycraft Park (Maui) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- NE37°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2311 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.8 m11s period
- Temperature
- 22–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Haycraft Park (Maui) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.5–0.8 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Offshore winds
- Power lines
- Narrow beach
- Submerged rocks
- Trees near the beach (line/landing hazards)
- Submerged reef patches further out
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated beach-side kite/wind rescue; emergency response via 911.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism described as none at the spot; however, the spot can attract local kiters during rare Kona wind events.
Rules of the spot
Off shore swimming only
- No kiting in trade winds (dangerously offshore).
- Strict airport/harbor distance rules in the wider Maʻalaea region.
- Off shore swimming only.
- Kiteboarding generally not permitted in the harbor entrance to the west; stay well clear of the shipping channel.
- Only ride when the wind is blowing from the south (Kona winds).
- Be careful with lines near the trees and the road; the beach is very narrow, especially at high tide.
- Be careful of trees when self-landing; the beach is narrow.
- Stay well clear of the shipping channel; kiteboarding is generally not permitted in the harbor entrance to the west.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Maʻalaea
- Nearest Town
- Wailuku
- Parking
- About 10 official parking spots including one ADA-designated spot; limited dedicated parking. Also described as a small public parking lot at the end of the residential street.
- Access
- The Haycraft Park is located east of Maʻalaea.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals and condominiums are located along Hauoli Street and nearby along the South Maui/maʻalaea area.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and shops are located a short drive away at the Maʻalaea Harbor Shops.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; equipment must be brought from nearby kite/windsurf/surf shops.
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 Haycraft Park (Maui)?
The best overall months at Haycraft Park (Maui) are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Haycraft Park (Maui)?
Haycraft Park (Maui) works with SSE, S, SSW winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Haycraft Park (Maui)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Haycraft Park (Maui): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Haycraft Park (Maui) suitable for?
Haycraft Park (Maui) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.