Point North

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Wave, Shortboard
Best for
Advanced to Expert
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Point North is an exposed reef and point break on Maui known for dependable winter surf, particularly around December. The spot is described as having reef/point-break character and a sheltered-vs-exposed profile that is strongly exposed, so conditions can feel intense when swell and wind line up. Wavewise, sources emphasize reliable wave production in winter with peeling sections along the reef point. Conflicting break-direction detail is reported (left-hand reef break in one dataset versus right-hand point and reef break in another), so riders should treat wave direction as variable while still expecting a reef point/peeling pattern. For winter planning, one source specifically highlights December as the best month. Safety is a major theme at Point North. Hazards include sea urchins and sharp volcanic rock/submerged reef features. Entry requires careful timing between sets because the shoreline is rocky and technical, and strong currents are possible on bigger swells. There is no lifeguard presence reported for this spot, and rescue availability is reported as not available. Wind for the area is described as trade winds with typical values around 15–25 knots in the reported months. South to Southeast winds are noted as providing cleaner offshore conditions for surfing, while the surrounding terrain can create wind shadows in certain directions. Crowds can build when winter surf is up, so expect a busy lineup during high-quality sessions.

  • Dependable winter reef/point surf with peeling sections
  • Hazards: sea urchins and sharp reef/rocks
  • Busy during peak winter conditions
  • Trade-wind influenced sessions
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardKitesurfing waveKitesurfing straplessWindsurfing waveWingfoil wave
What's great
  • Dependable winter surf described for the spot
  • Reef/point break provides a consistent wave shape (peeling)
  • Wind can be consistent trade winds in cooler months
Heads up
  • Exposed reef/point setup with technical rocky entry
  • Serious hazards including sea urchins and sharp reef/rocks
  • Can become crowded during peak winter surf
  • Strong rip currents possible during large swells
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
S, E, SE
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Trade winds reported for the spot area.
Reliability
Consistent trade winds, though surfing prefers lighter offshore winds
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
Best Months
November, December, January, February
Shadow Zones
High cliffs to the south can create wind shadows in specific directions

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Rocks — Rocks/reef shoreline composition reported.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Medium wave size reported.
Launch
Small — Rocky shoreline entry requires careful timing between sets
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Technical entry over rocky shoreline and reef timing required.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
23–28 °C
Water Temperature
20–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Sep: rashguard / 1mm topNov–Apr: shorty or 3/2mm full suit (for longer/colder sessions or sensitivity)
Crowds by Season

Can get quite busy during peak winter swells

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy season typically runs from November to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

An advanced wave riding location described for expert riders.

WaveStrapless
Kite Sizes
7–10 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

High-performance wave sailing spot for advanced riders.

Wave
Sail Sizes
4.2–5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Challenging due to the rocky launch and depth concerns over the reef; only recommended for experienced riders during moderate swell.

Foil Friendly
Limited — Foil friendliness reported as limited.
Min Depth
1.5m
Wing Sizes
4–5 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef and point break with dependable surf in winter.

Reef break
Optimal Swell
N, NW, N
Swell Height
1.5–3 m
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed to the elements; open reef/point exposure.
Wind Effect
South or Southeast winds provide clean offshore conditions
Bigger Swell
Holds significant size but becomes very heavy with strong currents
Wave Quality
Good — Wave quality reported as good.
Wave Power
Powerful — Powerful waves reported.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Peeling wave shape reported.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast peeling sections reported.
Ride Length
Medium — Medium ride length reported.
Ride Length Details
Consistent peeling sections along the reef point
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Point North in the full forecast view.

Point North wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
4–10 ktsGusts 22 kts
Direction
ENE57°
Strongest day
Thu, Oct 2910 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.2–2.0 m9s period
Temperature
22–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Point North is forecast for daytime winds of 4–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.2–2.0 m with a period of about 9s. 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

  • urchins
  • sharp reef
  • rocks
  • strong currents
  • heavy waves
Ability Level: Advanced to Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported at the spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No rescue availability reported for this spot-level entry.
Emergency Info
Nearest facilities are in Kapalua or Lahaina
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Localism reported as moderate.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local priority in the lineup.

Restrictions
  • Rocky shoreline entry requires careful timing between sets.
Local Tips
  • Watch for 'Wana' (sea urchins) when entering or exiting the water.
  • Timing the sets is critical for the rocky entry.
  • Best surf conditions occur when winter swells meet light southern winds.
  • Urchins and rocks are hazards at this spot.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Lahaina
Nearest Town
Kapalua
Parking
Limited dirt pull-off parking along the road; do not leave valuables in vehicles
Access
Accessible via a dirt path and rocky descent from the coastal road near Lipoa Point
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Luxury resorts and vacation rentals are available in nearby Kapalua
Food & Drink
Restaurants and cafes located a short drive away in Kapalua and Napili
Equipment Rental:
Surf and kite shops are available in Lahaina and Kahului
Gear Repair
Repair shops located in Lahaina
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 Point North?

The best overall months at Point North are January, February, December. The best wind months are November, December, January, February.

Which wind directions work at Point North?

Point North works with S, E, SE winds.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Point North?

Recommended equipment sizes at Point North: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.

What skill level is Point North suitable for?

Point North suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Advanced.