Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui)
- Longboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) is a small sand-bottom beach break/reef area on West Maui known primarily as a beginner-to-intermediate surfing location. Water is described as crystal-clear, with small shore break and shallow water where the wave energy stays soft and manageable when conditions are right. For surfing, the most reliable pattern is calmer conditions in the morning. Waves are often characterized as long, gently rolling, and slow-peeling with a mushy feel—commonly associated with multiple peaks along the reef ('Thousand Peaks'). Wave heights are typically in the knee-to-thigh range (about 0.6–2 ft), and wave quality is described as good when the wind is light.
- Soft, slow-peeling waves suitable for beginner longboarding
- Morning-calm conditions; afternoon can become gusty/strong
- Crystal-clear water (runoff after heavy rain can temporarily reduce clarity)
- Crystal-clear water and warm conditions year-round
- Soft, peeling, beginner-friendly longboard-style surfing—especially in the morning
- Good wave quality when winds are light
- Local longboarding scene; weekdays are often calmer
- Shallow reef/rocks at shore make swimming and snorkeling very poor
- Strong afternoon gusts can become dangerously strong
- Kitesurfing/wind sports are high-risk because the highway and power lines are very close to the launch/shore
- Limited/no lifeguard and limited rescue availability
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — South to southwest winds are favored (Kona-period conditions for wind sports); afternoon thermal enhancement can also affect gustiness.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting; sources also warn it can become dangerously strong in the afternoon.
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
- Shadow Zones
- Areas can be affected by West Maui topography; wind from behind the valley can cause strong gusts, with conditions becoming dangerously strong in the afternoon.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium, with some sources also describing big-wave potential.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Morning/calm conditions are preferred; the spot can become choppy quickly with Kona winds.
- Launch
- Small — A very narrow sandy beach between the ocean and the highway is reported for the launch.
Through the year
Busy on weekends and during south swells; quiet during normal trade-wind days.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Only when Kona (south/southwest) winds are present; the launch is described as notoriously difficult due to the narrow beach and proximity of the highway/power lines. Not recommended outside those conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Used as an alternative during Kona wind conditions when other locations are blown out or calm.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Possible in Kona winds, but shallow reef requires careful navigation and sufficient clearance; foil friendliness is limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Shallow reef makes foil navigation and mast clearance challenging.
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A scenic roadside beach park on West Maui known for soft, peeling waves with a shallow bottom and reef/rock hazards at shore. Often used for beginner-to-intermediate longboarding when the water is calm, especially in the morning.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.6–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — One source specifically notes optimal tide as mid.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Shelter is described as semi-sheltered by at least one source; another source characterizes the spot as exposed—so conditions likely vary with wind and swell.
- Wind Effect
- Best described as calm in the morning/light wind; conditions can become choppy quickly with Kona (south/southwest) winds and strong afternoon gusts.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become difficult to paddle out; may close out on very large south swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good overall quality when winds are light and the south swell is running.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Soft, beginner-friendly wave energy.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Mushy/soft shape suited to longboarders and beginners.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Often described as long, gently rolling waves; slow peeling.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Several separate peaks; slow peeling waves can allow longer cruising for longboard style.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Slow peeling waves often referred to as 'Thousand Peaks' because of multiple peaks along the reef.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) in the full forecast view.
Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- NE38°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 22–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.6–1.0 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Coral at shore
- Sharp reef
- Submerged rocks / shallow rocky areas making swimming and snorkeling poor
- Strong gusts in the afternoon (potentially dangerously strong—quit when gusts start)
- Power lines (near/inland downwind)
- Highway traffic (road adjacent to the narrow launch/shore)
- Coral/reef cuts (urchins mentioned)
- Jellyfish (seasonal)
- Sharks (seasonal; any Maui beach)
- Stream outlet runoff after heavy rain (wait 72 hours)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as none/no rescue for the spot in at least one source; regional emergency response is handled by Maui County Fire Department and Ocean Safety units.
- Emergency Info
- No specific emergency procedure found for the beach; for emergencies dial 911 and check local live advisories. Nearest facilities are in Lahaina (reported ~15 minutes north).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Described as quiet/locals-focused for surf, with mild-to-heavy local behavior notes depending on source.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard Hawaii beach safety guidelines. No specific formal rules documented for the beach itself; state park rules apply. A 72-hour post-rain rule is emphasized to avoid contaminated runoff.
- No swimming for 72 hours after heavy rain
- Avoid water if brown/murky/discolored
- Morning is best for calmer conditions; afternoons get gusty/strong.
- Quit activities when gusts first start up due to dangerously strong conditions.
- Wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain before entering the water due to stream/road runoff risk.
- Avoid water if it looks brown, murky, or discolored even if no advisory is posted.
- For riders, reef booties are recommended to reduce cuts.
- If kiteboarding, be extremely careful not to let kites fall toward the highway.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lahaina
- Nearest Town
- Maalaea
- Parking
- Small parking lot reported as approximately 12 vehicles; additional gravel parking available. Many visitors park along the road or on hard-pack sand on the beach; arrive early on nice days.
- Access
- Located between Lahaina and Ma'alaea on the Honoapiʻilani Highway (Highway 30) on the south shore of West Maui; between Lahaina and Ma'alaea, just north of the tunnel and south of Olowalu.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals and hotels around Lahaina and Ma'alaea; no lodging directly at the beach.
- Food & Drink
- No services at the beach; food trucks sometimes nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rentals available via shops in Lahaina/Kahului; spot-level on-site rental not specified.
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage generally limited.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services reported in Kahului or Lahaina (specialized kite/sail repair around the region).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A scenic West Maui coastal corridor with narrow beach parks and strong access to ocean recreation. Visitors commonly combine surfing with snorkeling, winter whale watching, and day trips.
Haleakala National Park summit.
Historic whaling village and former capital with shops and galleries.
Ancient Hawaiian fishponds and heiau (temples).
Ancient Hawaiian rock carvings located just inland from the coastal road.
Boat tours or shore-based viewing during the winter migration season.
Whale watching (Dec–Apr).
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater.
Local seafood and Hawaiian cuisine.
A local eatery known for pies.
Shore fishing and beach parks.
An aquarium showcasing Hawaiian marine life in Maalaea.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui)?
The best overall months at Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui)?
Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) works with S, SSW, SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) suitable for?
Ukumehame Beach Park (Maui) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.