Epic Honolua Bay, But Smaller Swells Due

By Carlos Rock

Best wave on Maui. Honolua Bay. Photo: Carlos Rock.

The weekend saw the best run of surf so far this winter go down at Honolua Bay. Saturday and Sunday were absolutely flawless – 6- 12 foot bombers were rolling in all day and the surfers present were taking full advantage.

Perfect direction from the northwest, a 15-25+ foot swell and trade winds translates to epic Honolua Bay.

The waves were so good that marathon sessions were going down in excess of three hours, leaving everyone crispy, rashed up, and smiling from ear to ear.

Saturday was classic Honolua Bay. Huge waves and wide open barrels for everyone. The swell was pumping all day, showing no signs of slowing down. And Sunday was even better.

There were many familiar faces out in the lineup form the day before and the vibe out in the water was a little more relaxed than Saturday.

The Cave section. Photo: Carlos Rock.

We’re guessing everyone got their fill and the Sunday session was just the icing on the cake.

Guys were getting the tubes of their lives out there on every set that came in. There was a crowd, which there always is, but everyone got their share of waves because of the swell size spreading out the lineup.

There was a lot of dropping in going on though. Guys were getting cut off on lots of waves and the guys on the inside just waiting for the scrap waves to slip through the crowd. The lineup at the bay is a very unique dynamic.

Picture perfect. Photo: Carlos Rock.

Any time there’s waves at Honolua Bay, its organized chaos amidst the beauty of it all.

Sure it looks picturesque and perfect from the cliff or just about any angle you look at the waves, but in the water it sometimes can be life threatening, with the crowd being a factor – and of course the huge waves.

Also, the reef. The razor sharp landing pad lurking a few feet below the surface is very much alive and well at this spot. If you surf Honolua, you will make contact with the reef at some point.

Even the slightest graze can cheese grate some skin off your body.

Great place to end the day. Photo: Carlos Rock.

A small price to pay for potentially your personal best wave of winter or, your life. And you will know once it happens.

It was firing. From the top of the point all the way through the bay, guys were getting incredible rides. Hopefully there is more to come.

The forecast is showing more swell from the northwest, though not quite as big as this past swell, but we should see Ho’okipa return to a more manageable size for us in the 6-10+ foot range.