Point North
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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
- 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
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
Can get quite busy during peak winter swells
Rainy season typically runs from November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
An advanced wave riding location described for expert riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
High-performance wave sailing spot for advanced riders.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5 m²
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
Exposed reef and point break with dependable surf in winter.
- 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
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.
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
- urchins
- sharp reef
- rocks
- strong currents
- heavy waves
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.
- Rocky shoreline entry requires careful timing between sets.
- 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
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
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 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.