The Dumps (La Perouse Bay)
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) is an exposed, rocky reef surfing spot on Maui’s southern coast known for producing a fast, rippable left-hand point-reef. Sources describe it as a high-performance wave with powerful walls and sections that can become bowly and very heavy at size—conditions that reward experienced surfers. Access and safety are major parts of the experience here. Multiple sources emphasize that the rocky entry and exit is genuinely tricky, particularly during solid swell, and that careful timing and appropriate footwear are essential. Currents within the bay can be strong, with rip current behavior and tidal movement; downwind drift is possible, so planning entry/exit and staying alert to water movement is critical. Hazards include sharp lava rock, reef bottom, and sea urchins, along with additional wildlife risk noted for the area. Shark sightings are reported, and caution is advised—especially after heavy rains. Lifeguards are not present, and rescue is limited since this is a remote end-of-road location. In terms of conditions, surf forecasting guidance suggests it tends to work around the May to September window, with one guide listing June as its best month. Wind is dominated by Northeast trade winds, and offshore flow from the Northeast is reported to help groom the faces, supporting quality surfing when the right swells arrive.
- Fast, rippable left-hand reef point-reef
- Offshore Northeast tradewinds can groom faces
- Remote, exposed, and hazardous rocky entry/exit
- Best aligned with sizable south swells in late spring through summer
- Powerful, high-performance left-hand reef point-reef with rippable sections.
- Offshore Northeast trade winds can help clean/groom wave faces.
- Great water clarity associated with the protected marine reserve setting.
- Remote access with tricky rocky entry/exit, especially on solid swell.
- Strong rip currents and fast tidal movement; downwind drift possible.
- Reef and sharp lava hazards (including sea urchins) plus exposed ocean conditions.
- No lifeguard presence; rescue is limited/dispatch-based.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (NE), with bay/gust effects possible from surrounding lava terrain.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting is reported; the bay can also feel gusty and shadowed by lava fields.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- The bay can be gusty and shadowed by the surrounding lava fields.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky lava coastline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium depending on source; at times works with sizable south swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry and exit; sharp lava rock requires careful timing and footwear.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Sharp lava rock entry requires careful timing and footwear; rocky entry/exit is tricky during solid swell.
Through the year
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
A high-performance, powerful left-hand reef break (left-hand point-reef) in a rugged lava field. Bowly at size and capable of fast, rippable sections over a reef; works infrequently and typically with sizable south swells.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore tradewinds from the Northeast help groom/clean the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well, becomes very heavy and challenging to paddle out; also described as bowly at size and holding a rippable shape.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Reported as good to excellent depending on conditions; fast walls and rippable shape.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Fast, rippable left-hand reef point; works best on sizable south swells.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Described as mixed, with hollow/fast walls at size.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast, peeling walls; can offer short tube sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, peeling walls; can provide short tube sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) in the full forecast view.
The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–6 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- E88°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 256 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.5 m10s period
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–6 kts, peaking around 6 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.9–1.5 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
- Rocks
- Sharp lava rock
- Sea urchins (wana)
- Reef bottom
- Strong rip currents and tidal movement within the bay
- Sharks
- Submerged boulders
- Remote location
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported on-site.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Remote end-of-road area; rescue is not permanent on-site and is provided by emergency services via dispatch.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergencies. Nearest hospital reported as Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku (with other options referenced for the region).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Noted as moderate localism in one source; also framed as no additional localism emphasis in another.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local lineup and fragile archaeological sites surrounding the bay.
- Located within a sensitive natural area; no commercial activity.
- Rocky entry and exit is genuinely tricky, especially during solid swell—use careful timing.
- Reef booties are strongly recommended for the rocky walk and entry.
- Watch currents carefully; downwind drift is possible.
- Park carefully and do not leave valuables in your car; access is remote with limited parking.
- Caution is advised due to the local shark population, especially after heavy rains.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Keoneʻōʻio
- Nearest Town
- Makena area, Maui
- Parking
- Limited parking likely; one source notes unpaved dirt parking at the end of the road and parking near the La Perouse historical marker or by the shore.
- Access
- Follow Makena Alanui Road south past Ahihi Bay until the pavement ends; 4WD may be needed. Park near the La Perouse historical marker or by the shore, then walk roughly 15 minutes south along the lava coastline (or: drive to the end of Makena Road into La Perouse Bay and walk across jagged lava rock).
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Luxury resorts and vacation rentals are available in nearby Wailea and Makena areas.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; nearest supplies are in Makena.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available at the spot (equipment must be arranged elsewhere).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A stark, volcanic nature destination around La Perouse Bay with protected marine ecosystems and lava-field hiking.
A protected marine area offering snorkeling opportunities and unique volcanic coastline views.
An ancient Hawaiian coastal trail traversing the last lava flow on Maui.
Challenging hikes through jagged lava fields with ocean vistas.
Upscale eatery located in nearby Wailea.
One of Maui’s largest and most famous sandy beaches.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at The Dumps (La Perouse Bay)?
The best overall months at The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at The Dumps (La Perouse Bay)?
The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) works with NE, ENE winds.
What skill level is The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) suitable for?
The Dumps (La Perouse Bay) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.