Seasonal· Maui· Hawaii
Kona Storm and South Swell Exposure (West Maui Roadsteads)
20° 52.0′ N · 156° 41.3′ W · approximate
West Maui's roadsteads are calm in the normal northeast trades but open to the south and west: a kona (southerly) storm or a big south swell turns Lahaina, Mala and Kaanapali into lee shores.
Practical
Coordinate is approx (Lahaina roadstead). The Coast Pilot calls the Lahaina anchorage exposed in kona weather and Maalaea Bay 'completely exposed to kona storms' with poor holding. Kona systems are most likely in winter (area overview); south swells mainly in summer. Have a plan to run to Kahului (inside the breakwaters) or a sheltered harbor on another island, and leave shallow anchorages on a tsunami warning.
Best for
Knowing when to leave the West Maui moorings
Season
Kona storms mostly Oct–Apr; south swell mostly summer
Nearby
- Lahaina Roadstead Moorings (A and B)Right here
- Lahaina Banyan Court Park0.6 NM away
- Lahaina Harbor Fuel Dock (Pacific West Fuels)0.6 NM away
- Lahaina Small Boat Harbor0.6 NM away
- Vic-Maui International Yacht Race0.6 NM away
- Carthaginian II Wreck0.7 NM away
- Lahaina Wildfire Recovery Zone Access Rules0.7 NM away
- Lahaina Yacht Club0.7 NM away