Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Shallow, Shallow, Ocean, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) at Waipulani Park (Kihei) is a shallow, crystal-clear kitesurfing area where the working water sits right over a sharp reef. Conditions are typically flat-to-choppy with small waves, but depth can be extremely limited, making tide choice critical—especially at dead low tide. Wind is most often tied to northerly trade-wind wrap-around flow, with a typical range around 15–25 knots. Summer months (May through October) are consistently highlighted, and while the wind can be steadier farther offshore, it may feel gusty or turbulent right near shore due to wind shadowing and airflow around nearby buildings and trees. Kitesurfing is the best match here, and the spot is described as intermediate+ in difficulty because of the combination of shallow reef hazards, sea urchins, and limited launch space. Because of these hazards, setup location matters: riders are advised to rig farther north of the paved parking near the grass transition, and to keep clear of swimmers and designated swimming areas. For safety, treat the reef/urchin field as the primary risk. Booties are strongly recommended, and riders should avoid riding when the reef becomes too shallow. Rescue support is reported as limited (and no lifeguards are reported on-site), so plan accordingly and be ready to manage hazards before committing to a session.
- Northerly trade-wind months: May through October
- Shallow, crystal-clear water with flat water near the reef
- Reef and sea-urchin hazards require booties and tide awareness
- Crystal-clear, shallow water with flat water inside/near the reef
- Consistent northerly trade-wind months from May to October
- Popular alternative when other parts of Maui are too rough or too windy
- On-site-style launch area at a public park with paved parking
- Very shallow reef area; can be too shallow at low tide
- Sharp reef and sea urchins make it hazardous without proper protection
- Limited launch space and shore-side turbulence near buildings/trees
- No lifeguards reported
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — N to NNE trade winds; wrap-around flow to this side of Maui.
- Reliability
- Moderate; can act as a backup when other Maui areas are too windy or too rough.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusty/turbulent closer to shore near buildings and trees; steadier farther out.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Shallow, Shallow, Ocean, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with a narrow shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small to medium waves are reported (often described up to ~0–3 m).
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Flat-to-choppy water profile.
- Launch
- Medium — Grassy rigging area and narrow sandy beach at Waipulani Park; setup commonly recommended north of paved parking near the grass transition.
Through the year
Less crowded than North Shore spots, but can get busy on weekend afternoons.
December–March (Kona storm season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow-water kitesurfing with flat-to-choppy conditions and small-to-medium waves, best with northerly trade winds in summer. Requires careful setup due to reefs, sea urchins, and limited launch space.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible but challenging due to very shallow reef; best at high tide with a short mast.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Very shallow reef limits margin for beginners and some foil setups.
- Min Depth
- 0.8m
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) in the full forecast view.
Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- N9°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.9 m10s period
- Temperature
- 23–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.5–0.9 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
- Reefs
- Trees
- Shallow water
- Limited launch sites
- Sea urchins
- Wind shadows near shore
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for this beach launch.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Reported as limited/no dedicated rescue at the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergencies; nearest hospital reported as Maui Memorial Medical Center (Wailuku/Kahului vicinity).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — None reported.
Rules of the spot
No kiting before 11am; only kiteboard in designated spots. Keep distance from swimmers, fishermen, surfers, and other watersport users; avoid active swimming zones.
- No kiteboarding before 11am
- Kiting prohibited in some areas during peak swimmer hours
- Only kiteboard in designated spots
- Set up farther north of the paved parking near the grass transition.
- Wear booties to protect against the sharp reef and sea urchins.
- Avoid riding at dead low tide because the reef can become too shallow.
- Once you are about 100 meters away from shore, wind can feel steadier.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kahului
- Nearest Town
- Kihei
- Parking
- Paved public parking at Waipulani Park (near the tennis courts).
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Maui Sunset condos and various vacation rentals in Kihei.
- Food & Drink
- Many restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance along South Kihei Road.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals directly on the beach; several shops are located in central Kihei and Kahului.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair services available through specialty shops in Kihei and nearby 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 Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon)?
The best overall months at Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon)?
Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) works with N, NNE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) suitable for?
Maui Sunset (Typhoon Lagoon) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced.