Watersport· Maui· Hawaii
Hookipa Beach Park (windsurf, turtles)
20° 56.1′ N · 156° 21.4′ W · approximate
The most famous windsurfing beach in the world: experts launch through big surf and fly off the waves in the afternoon trades, surfers ride the reef breaks in the morning, and green turtles haul out on the sand below the lookout in the late afternoon.
Practical
Approx: beach position from OpenStreetMap (way 456490970). Expert-only water: strong currents, coral and big winter waves. By local convention surfers have the water in the morning and windsurfers launch after 11:00 am (sources disagree on whether this is a formal rule). Turtles: keep at least 10 ft away; volunteers often cordon them. Best viewing from the lookout at the east end, above the Pavilions break. Not a boat stop: visit by car from Kahului or Paia.
Best for
Watching world-class windsurfing and basking turtles
Season
Windsurfing best in summer trades; big surf Oct-Apr