Maili Cloudbreak
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Maili Cloudbreak is an exposed beach-and-reef break on Oahu’s west side (Maili area near Kapolei), producing dependable surfing conditions year-round. The spot is most associated with long, peeling left-hand waves, and it’s described as holding its size—while also becoming very heavy on larger swells, which pushes difficulty higher on the biggest sets. The working swell window is typically associated with West to Northwest swells, with reported optimal swell heights around 1.0–2.5 meters. Conditions are shaped by exposure: it’s an exposed launch with a shallow reef over reef sections, so timing matters. Mid-tide is commonly recommended to reduce the chance of hitting shallow reef, and riders should be especially cautious of the inside section, which can get very shallow. Safety is a key focus here. Reported hazards include rocks, sharp reef/coral, sharks, and strong currents (including rip currents during larger swells). Rescue availability is described as limited, though Maili Beach Park has a lifeguard tower; standard etiquette and respect for the local lineup are emphasized due to moderate localism.
- Long, peeling left-hand reef waves
- Good option for consistent year-round surfing
- Mid-tide helps avoid the shallow reef
- Dependable surf year-round
- Known for long, peeling left-hand waves
- More relaxed crowd pattern than many heavily trafficked North Shore lineups
- Exposed reef with sharp hazards and rocks
- Strong currents/rip currents possible during larger swells
- Can become very heavy on big days
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, E
- Offshore directions
- N, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (NE trades) are the main wind pattern; in this area they can be redirected/blocked by the Waianae Range.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds reported for typical conditions.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy access area with reef/rocks offshore.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach at Maili Beach Park.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch from a wide sandy beach area at Maili Beach Park.
Through the year
Busier on weekends and during winter swells; generally less crowded than the North Shore.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach and reef break with dependable year-round surf; known for long, peeling left-hand waves.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide helps avoid the shallow reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Northeast trade winds are offshore, grooming the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but becomes very heavy and suitable only for experts.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer long rides across the reef section when the swell angle is right.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer long rides across the reef section when the swell angle is right.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Maili Cloudbreak in the full forecast view.
Maili Cloudbreak wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- NE54°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.4 m12s period
- Temperature
- 21–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Maili Cloudbreak is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.9–1.4 m with a period of about 12s. 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
- Sharp reef
- Strong currents
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards are stationed at Maili Beach Park, primarily monitoring the swimming and surfing zones.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Maili Beach Park has a lifeguard tower. Emergency services are reachable via 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported; respect the local lineup.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Best at mid-tide to avoid hitting the shallow reef
- Watch for the 'inside' section which can get very shallow
- Expect rip currents during larger swells
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kapolei
- Nearest Town
- Maili
- Nearest Airport
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) (~22 miles / 35 km away)
- Parking
- Large public parking lot available at Maili Beach Park
- Public Transport
- TheBus (Honolulu's municipal bus system) serves the Farrington Highway corridor with frequent stops near the coast.
- Access
- Directly accessible from Farrington Highway
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Waianae and resorts in Ko Olina.
- Food & Drink
- Local food trucks and convenience stores along Farrington Highway.
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 Maili Cloudbreak?
The best overall months at Maili Cloudbreak are January, February, March, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Maili Cloudbreak?
Maili Cloudbreak works with N, E winds. Offshore directions are N, E.
What skill level is Maili Cloudbreak suitable for?
Maili Cloudbreak suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.