MAUI Beach Hazard Ratings

Oahu | Maui | Beach Hazard Ratings

Maui, West Maui

The West Maui coast begins at McGregor Point and consists of 27 mi of generally west-facing shore, up to Hawea Point. The entire shoreline is backed by the slopes of the 5600 ft high West Maui mountains, with basalt rocks, boulders, and outcrops dominating much of the shore. A total of 26 beaches occupy 12 mi (44%) of the shore, the remainder being dominated by low basalt boulders and bluffs, and some sections of seawalls. The town of Lahaina is the major settlement of this coast, with a near-continuous strip of tourist resorts, condominiums, and residential developments occupying most of the shoreline to the north.

Wave conditions vary seasonally along the coast. During the summer low to moderate south swells reach the southern beaches and partway up the west coast, while the larger winter north swells and trade wind waves reach the north and partway down the west coast. As a consequence, wave size and direction, and as a result the location and nature of surfing breaks and currents, including rip currents, vary with the changing wave conditions.

The northwest side of Maui extends from Heawa Point around the top of the West Maui Mountains to the Waihe’e River. The coast is exposed and is dominated by the eroding basalt cliffs of the backing mountains. The 24 mi of shore contains 11 beaches, totalling only 1.5 mi (6%) in length, with basalt cliffs comprising the remainder of the shore. Kahekili Highway winds along the cliffs and around the headlands into the bays. The only development east of Fleming Beach Park, apart from farms, is the small community of Kahakuloa Bay.