For some of the best surfing money can buy, grab your board and head for the pounding breakers of Honolua Bay.
Honolua Bay is a small rocky beach in the Mokuleia Marine Life Conservation District on the North-West coast of Maui. It is famed as one of Hawaii’s foremost surfing spots, with immense barrel waves that reach up to 18 metres in height creating perfect conditions for long rides. The waves are intense, so less confident surfers may want to brush up their skills with a few lessons at one of the local surf schools before heading out alone.If you’d rather watch the fun than risk the waves, head up to the craggy cliffs around the beach for perfect views of all the action. The surf is best during the winter months, with the immense Northern swell hitting the beach’s renowned surf break for some of the most spectacular peaks around. If you’re around in January, you should head over for the Billabong Pro Maui Surfing Competition, which attracts the world’s best professional women surfers who come to show off their skills.The grass-carpeted cliffs make a divine walking spot, with views across the bay to the neighbouring island of Molokai with its dense jungle-like vegetation. Remember to take some water with you as, although there is a cooling sea breeze, hiking in the Hawaiian heat can be thirsty work!Outside of the surf season, the Beach is a popular snorkelling spot. Fishing is banned in the conservation district, so the native sea-life is varied and plentiful. See if you can spot the official Hawaiian state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (or humuhumu for short), amongst the teeming schools of damsel fish, flag tails and bigeye scad. Head to the rocks at the northern end of the Bay for spectacular coral formations and clearer water that hasn’t been fogged up by the swirling grey sands.There are no lifeguards on patrol here, so don’t enter the water unless you are an experienced swimmer as its strong currents can be unpredictable. To get to Honolua Bay, drive northwest along the Honoapiilani Highway. There is a free car park just near the beach, with a pedestrian track which will lead you straight to the shore.
