Kamaole Park 1
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kamaole Park 1 is a sandy, family-oriented beach park in the Wailea/Kihei corridor with crystal-clear water and a mellow shore break that generally suits casual beach activities and beginner-level surfing when conditions line up. For surfing, sources describe a beach-break that tends to be short and mushy—often workable for learning and longboards, especially when South swells (and similar directions) arrive. Wind can noticeably affect wave texture: Kona winds are typically onshore and can add chop, while offshore trade-wind patterns (when present) can help groom the swell. Very large south swells may close out. Kitesurfing is not a reliable, everyday wind-sport choice here; it’s described as primarily usable during winter Kona wind events when winds shift to the south/southwest. However, the beach is extremely crowded with swimmers and beachgoers, and kiting in designated swimming zones is strongly discouraged—only highly experienced riders with strong launch skills should consider it when conditions allow clear separation. Amenities and access are strong for a beach park (showers, toilets, parking, and picnic facilities), but parking and launching can be constrained by crowds—arriving early (around 9:30 AM) is repeatedly recommended.
- Crystal-clear water
- Beginner-friendly, mellow beach-break surfing
- Best winter window is tied to Kona/wind-event conditions for kitesurfing
- Crystal-clear water and a sandy, gently sloped beach
- Good amenities for families and visitors (restrooms, showers, picnic area, parking)
- Beginner-friendly, mellow surf is available on appropriate swell/wind combinations
- Extremely crowded with swimmers and beachgoers, which creates serious safety constraints for kiting
- Wind reliability is low outside winter Kona/wind-event windows
- Crowding and limited beach space can restrict safe launches and riding
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Listed as frontal/seasonal Kona-wind conditions in winter; trade-wind influence is generally blocked in this corridor.
- Reliability
- Low; rideable conditions depend on specific Kona/wind-event windows.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported for the wind setup during storm/Kona events.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach park.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Kona winds can add noticeable wind-chop to the waves.
- Launch
- Medium — Long sandy beach with gentle slope; some rocks at the northern and southern ends. Space can be limited during high tide or peak hours.
Through the year
High year-round; peaks during winter holidays and summer vacation.
December through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Primarily used during winter Kona wind events; crowded swimming conditions and volatile wind behavior make it unsuitable for most riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Used only during rare Kona wind conditions; the beach is mostly a swimming area and requires careful crowd/zone management.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Possible during Kona winds; deep water access is quick once past the shore break, and the sandy launch is preferred.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Deep water accessible quickly after the shore break.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
A mellow beach break suitable for longboarding and beginner surfing, particularly when South swells line up; the northern end can be slightly more consistent.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally sheltered compared with fully exposed open-coast breaks, with some extra complexity near the ends of the beach.
- Wind Effect
- Kona winds blow onshore and can make the waves choppy; North/Northeast trade winds are typically offshore in this setting and can help groom the swell.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out during very large south swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Generally average; crowding and wind-chop can limit quality.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Gentle beach break; wave energy typically mild.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Often short and mushy, especially on Kona wind days where waves get choppy.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Mellow, learning-friendly peeling action.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides; workable for longboards or beginner sessions.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are generally short; described as 30–50 meters when conditions allow.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kamaole Park 1 in the full forecast view.
Kamaole Park 1 wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- NNE20°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2312 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 23–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kamaole Park 1 is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 21 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
- Swimmers
- Submerged rocks
- Shore break
- High density of swimmers and sunbathers
- Limited beach space
- Rip/longshore currents possible near rocky edges during high surf
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are present seasonally (daylight hours).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Maui Police Department: 9-1-1; Ocean Safety: (808) 270-6136 for chair status.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is generally discouraged in designated swimming zones when lifeguards and crowds are present; riders should yield to all other water users and follow Maui sport-zone guidance.
- No kitesurfing near designated swimming zones.
- Riders must yield to all other water users.
- Arrive early for parking (around 9:30 AM for best availability).
- Launch only if there is a clear window between tourists; Kona winds can come with rain and sudden shifts.
- Expect crowding and prioritize safe separation from swimmers, especially near the rocky points.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kihei
- Nearest Town
- Kihei
- Parking
- Dedicated parking lot by the lifeguard tower at South Kihei Road and Alanui Ke'ali'i Rd; alternative gravel parking on the other side of South Kihei Road at Alanui Ke'ali'i Rd; free parking across the street if the main lot is full.
- Access
- Take Piilani Highway (Hwy 31) towards Wailea, turn right onto Alanui Kealii Drive before Wailea, continue to South Kihei Road, turn left and follow for less than a mile to beach signs. Dedicated parking lot near South Kihei Road and Alanui Ke'ali'i Rd by the lifeguard tower; alternative gravel parking on the other side of South Kihei Road and free parking across the street if needed.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous condos and hotels in Kihei and Wailea within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Nearby restaurants and cafes; food options across the street.
- Equipment Rental:
- General surf and SUP rentals are available across the street; specialized kite/windsurf gear is usually found in 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 Kamaole Park 1?
For wind, the best months at Kamaole Park 1 are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Kamaole Park 1?
Kamaole Park 1 works with S, SW, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kamaole Park 1?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kamaole Park 1: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Kamaole Park 1 suitable for?
Kamaole Park 1 suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.