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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Dependable surf year-round
  • Known for long, peeling left-hand waves
  • More relaxed crowd pattern than many heavily trafficked North Shore lineups
Heads up
  • Exposed reef with sharp hazards and rocks
  • Strong currents/rip currents possible during larger swells
  • Can become very heavy on big days
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: Boardshorts or bikinis1mm–2mm top/shorty for wind chill during winter Kona events
Crowds by Season

Busier on weekends and during winter swells; generally less crowded than the North Shore.

Storm/Rain Season

November to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach and reef break with dependable year-round surf; known for long, peeling left-hand waves.

Reef breakBeach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Parking
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Waianae and resorts in Ko Olina.
Food & Drink
Local food trucks and convenience stores along Farrington Highway.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.