Pavillions (Kuau)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pavillions (Kuau) is an exposed reef break in the Ho'okipa Beach Park area on Maui’s north shore, with consistent surf that is especially favored in winter. The spot is described as reef-based with a high-performance character and fast, powerful sections when conditions line up with the preferred swell window. Several sources emphasize strong hazards for surfing here: the entry and exit involve sharp lava-rock and shallow reef areas, with sea urchins reported as present. Rip currents are also called out, and during larger swells the current system can become more forceful, including a powerful sweep toward the west. Sharks are listed among the hazards, and heavy crowds can add additional risk around timing and navigation. Wind can influence how clean the wave looks. South to South-West winds are associated with cleaner conditions, while the prevailing trade wind flow can add chop. Winter timing is repeatedly identified as the season for the best surf, and the break is described as working at all tide stages. Locally, surfing etiquette and lineup dynamics matter. A “10-man rule” is described for Ho'okipa-style separation between wind sports and surfing, with Pavillions primarily treated as a surfing zone; restrictions may apply when many surfers are in the water. Planning around set timing, using reef booties if needed, and respecting local presence are specifically recommended.
- Winter-favored, consistent reef surfing
- Powerful, fast sections with hollow potential on the right swell direction
- South winds tend to clean it up
- Works across tides
- Consistent reef surfing on Maui’s north shore
- Winter brings the most powerful and best-quality surf
- Works across tides (reported as good at all tide stages)
- South winds can provide cleaner conditions
- Exposed reef break with difficult entry/exit over sharp rocks
- Urchins are present; stepping hazards are significant
- Rip currents and a strong sweep during large swells
- Crowding risk and moderate localism
- Water quality can be dirty/variable near shore conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — South/South-West winds can produce the cleanest surfing conditions; broader regional winds are trade-driven.
- Reliability
- High
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- The cliff and pavilion area can create some turbulence right at the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky shoreline context; reef and rocks noted.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Big surf reported; holds significant size on larger swells.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry through a narrow channel or off the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Difficult launch/entry described due to rocky access and reef hazards.
Through the year
High year-round, particularly busy during winter swells and weekends.
Rainy season typically runs from November to March; showers usually brief (regionally).
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef break in the Ho'okipa Beach Park system with consistent, winter-favored surf. Sources describe it as producing both left- and right-hand reef breaks depending on swell/wind context; the right-hand version is emphasized for performance and hollow sections.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NNE, NW, NNW
- Swell Height
- 1–4.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also described as working at all stages of the tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastal position.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore south winds produce the cleanest conditions; prevailing NE trades bring chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size and becomes a world-class, heavy right-hander.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality described as good to excellent depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — High-performance, powerful waves in winter.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow sections are a key feature on the right swell direction.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, walling sections; hollow sections on the right swell direction.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical rides can be medium; fast sections can wall and sometimes barrel.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer fast, walling sections that occasionally barrel on the right swell direction.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pavillions (Kuau) in the full forecast view.
Pavillions (Kuau) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–10 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- ENE64°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2310 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pavillions (Kuau) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.4–2.2 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Sharp lava rocks
- Rocks
- Sea urchins
- Urchins
- Rip currents
- Powerful sweep toward the west during large swells
- Sharks
- Tiger sharks
- Heavy crowds
- Slippery entry and exit points
- Locals
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported for the Ho'okipa area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguard towers are located nearby at Ho'okipa Beach Park; emergency number 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported; lineup hierarchy matters.
Rules of the spot
Strict adherence to surfing etiquette is required. Ho'okipa has a '10-man rule' separating wind sports from surfing; Pavillions is primarily a surfing zone. The Hawaii Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain.
- Windsurfing and kiting are generally restricted when 10 or more surfers are in the water.
- Watch out for where you step—sea urchins are everywhere.
- Watch the local surfers' entry and exit timing between sets to avoid being pushed onto the rocks.
- Be respectful of the local hierarchy in the lineup.
- Wear reef booties if you are not comfortable navigating sharp lava rock.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lower Paia
- Nearest Town
- Lower Paia
- Nearest Airport
- Kahului Airport (OGG)
- Parking
- Dedicated parking lot at the pavilion lookout, though it fills up very quickly.
- Public Transport
- Maui Bus serves the area but is generally not suitable for transporting large sports equipment; car rentals are recommended.
- Access
- Accessible via the Hana Highway, located at the eastern end of Ho'okipa Beach Park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Kuau and boutique hotels in Paia town; Kahului also provides larger hotel options.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and grocery stores are available in Paia, a short drive away.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available in the nearby town of Paia.
- Gear Storage
- Some schools offer storage for students, but most visitors store gear via rental cars or nearby private accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Surf and windsurf repair shops are located in Paia and 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 Pavillions (Kuau)?
The best overall months at Pavillions (Kuau) are January, February, March, November, December. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Pavillions (Kuau)?
Pavillions (Kuau) works with S, SW winds. Offshore directions are S.
What skill level is Pavillions (Kuau) suitable for?
Pavillions (Kuau) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.