S-Turns (Honokowai)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
S-Turns (Honokowai) is a reef-break surf spot on West Maui known for dependable, smaller surf and two distinct offerings at the same location: a left called S-Turns and a right called Mushrooms. The bottom is reef/lava-coral, and the break is described as exposed, so rides are strongly tied to choosing the right wave and tide. For surfing quality, the spot is characterized by peeling waves that can suit both novice and more capable surfers depending on conditions and board choice. Trade winds (northeasterly) are often offshore for the break, which can help groom the surface. Sources also highlight that sessions tend to be best earlier in the day before wind conditions change. Safety is a core consideration here. Hazards repeatedly mentioned include rocks and shallow reef areas, along with sea urchins; sharks are also listed as a hazard. Swimming is described as marginal, and reef heads/submerged rocks can become very shallow and exposed with changing tide—so getting in and out of the water demands extra attention. The spot is supported by basic amenities such as showers, restrooms, toilets, and picnic/parking access at the park. Wind tends to be most supportive during the trade-wind season (notably late spring through September), while surf guides also point to January as a strong month for dependable conditions.
- Left S-Turns and right Mushrooms at the same reef area
- Offshore trade winds can groom the waves
- Beginner-friendly in smaller, clean conditions
- Basic park facilities and convenient access
- Beginner-friendly reef break with dependable small-wave surf.
- Two distinct breaks for different preferences: left S-Turns and right Mushrooms.
- Trade winds can be offshore and help groom waves.
- Basic park-style facilities and straightforward access.
- Hazardous reef environment (rocks, sharks, and sea urchins/shallow reef).
- Swimming is marginal and conditions can become very shallow and exposed depending on tide.
- Can get messy on larger swell and may close out if too big.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, ENE
- Offshore directions
- NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (northeasterly) with a localized afternoon build consistent with the Lahaina Coast pattern.
- Reliability
- high during trade wind season
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Often sheltered by the West Maui Mountains.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef presence.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is generally small; some sources also describe medium waves depending on swell and conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with rocky entries in places.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Sandy entry with rocky/reef-related access points.
Through the year
Described as regularly crowded/popular; surf-forecast notes 'sometimes crowded.'
December to February typically sees the most rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Beginner-friendly reef break with two distinct breaks: left S-Turns and right Mushrooms. Works best for smaller, cleaner reef peaks; exposed reef hazards require caution.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, WNW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reef break in an exposed setting.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in trade winds (NE/E), which grooms the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may start to close out or become messy if too big.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as fairly exposed but with dependable surf; clean conditions are often better during favorable months.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling reef waves are highlighted as a key feature.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer decent rides especially on the rights during a clean NW swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for S-Turns (Honokowai) in the full forecast view.
S-Turns (Honokowai) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–12 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- NE55°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.3 m9s period
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, S-Turns (Honokowai) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–1.3 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
- rocks
- sharks
- sea-urchins
- shallow reef
- submerged rocks
- shallow reef heads
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional monitoring by Maui County Ocean Safety lifeguards at specific beach parks; no permanent coastguard base indicated for west Maui.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency dial 911. Medical facilities referenced include Maui Memorial Medical Center (Wailuku) and 911-associated nearest care options such as West Maui Medical Center (Lahaina) and Kahului Medical Center.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Community notes range from mild to moderate localism.
Rules of the spot
Standard Hawaiian surf etiquette applies; respect the locals.
- Swimming is marginal.
- There are two breaks: left S-Turns and right Mushrooms.
- Best surfed in the early morning before trade winds potentially pick up.
- Be mindful of the tide as the reef can become very shallow and exposed.
- When standing in the parking lot, you can notice the two breaks (left is S-Turns, right is Mushrooms).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Honokowai
- Nearest Town
- Kahana
- Parking
- Small public parking lot available at Pohaku Park; parking lot on right after driving 0.25 mi from hill bottom; near Akahele St access at Mile Marker 27.1 (Hwy 30).
- Access
- Drive Honoapi‘ilani Highway to Ho‘ohui Street intersection (McDonald's corner), turn toward ocean, descend hill, drive 0.25 mi; parking lot on right. Two breaks visible: left is S-Turns, right is Mushrooms. Also described as accessible via Pohaku Park (often referred to as S-Turns Park).
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous condos and resorts in the Honokowai and Kahana areas.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance in Honokowai.
- Equipment Rental:
- Various surf shops in nearby Kahana and Lahaina.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair available at surf shops in Lahaina (with nearby equipment services).
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 S-Turns (Honokowai)?
The best overall months at S-Turns (Honokowai) are January, February, March. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at S-Turns (Honokowai)?
S-Turns (Honokowai) works with NE, E, ENE winds. Offshore directions are NE, ENE.
What skill level is S-Turns (Honokowai) suitable for?
S-Turns (Honokowai) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.