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Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Hookipa. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Not much swell but keen eyes will find something to ride. Reasonable period putting some grunt behind each wave. Strong onshore blowing everything out. Give it a miss. Not enough swell to get this spot firing properly.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Ho'okipa is a highly exposed, incredibly windy reef break situated on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii. While globally famous for windsurfing, it provides high-performance surfing waves. The bathymetry is defined by a jagged, shallow volcanic coral reef that sits directly in the path of massive north-westerly winter groundswells. When these swells hit the reef ledge, they jack abruptly, creating fast, powerful right and left-hand peaks with heavy plunging lips. A southerly wind provides the ideal offshore conditions, but the spot is predominantly battered by relentless north-easterly trade winds, causing heavy chop. Due to the extreme shallowness of the reef, the highly turbulent water surface, and the rapid, top-to-bottom nature of the break, Ho'okipa is reserved exclusively for advanced surfers. It requires immediate, critical take-offs and exceptional physical endurance to navigate the chaotic line-up and avoid severe lacerations on the live coral bottom.
Heads up: jellyfish: peak season, and rocks exposed at low tide.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 77% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:12
Crystal clear water: ~32m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Hookipa
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Hookipa is the week of 30 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Ho'okipa is a raw, windswept reef break on Maui's north shore, globally famous as the birthplace of windsurfing and tow-in surfing. The wave breaks over a jagged, shallow volcanic coral reef that produces powerful, fast peaks in conditions that would render most spots unsurfable. The relentless north-east trade winds that plague most breaks are embraced here by the wind-sports community, creating a unique environment where surfers, windsurfers, and kiters share the same swells. When the wind drops, the reef produces world-class conventional surfing waves.
North-westerly winter groundswells from November through March deliver the biggest and most powerful waves. The reef handles serious size, breaking from 4-15ft. Southerly offshore winds provide the cleanest surfing conditions but are rare; most sessions involve managing the prevailing trade winds. The early morning window before the trades strengthen (typically before 10am) offers the best chance of cleaner conditions for surfing.
The reef has multiple peaks. Pavilions on the east side produces fast, hollow rights. The Point on the west side offers longer, more workable lefts. Middles provides a variety of peaks. The take-off zones are concentrated over the shallowest reef sections. Position yourself on the outside of the reef platform and watch for sets refracting off the reef's uneven contours. The sandy channels between reef sections provide paddle-out routes.
The volcanic reef is extremely sharp and shallow. Falls result in severe cuts. The waves break with significant power and the turbulent trade wind chop makes duck-diving difficult. Strong currents sweep across the reef. Windsurfers and kiters share the water, creating collision risks. Sea turtles haul out on the beach; give them wide berth. The power and shallow reef make this high-consequence surfing.
A public car park with views directly over the break serves the east side. Additional parking exists along the access road. The walk to the waterline descends through dirt paths to the rocky shore. Entry to the water requires crossing slippery reef rocks. Facilities at the park include picnic areas and toilets. Watching from the cliff is a worthwhile spectacle even without surfing.
Ho'okipa has an established local hierarchy among surfers, windsurfers, and kiters. The afternoon is traditionally ceded to wind sports. Surfers dominate the early morning glass window. The local crew is experienced and territorial. Showing respect and surfing within your ability earns acceptance. Do not paddle out unless you are comfortable in powerful, shallow reef break conditions.
The morning glass window is precious and short. Be in the water by 6:30am to maximise clean conditions before the trades establish. A shorter, wider board handles the choppy conditions better than a standard performance shortboard. Reef boots are essential for both entry and protection during wipeouts. The wave is significantly more powerful than it appears from the cliff due to the offshore wind holding the faces up. Study the reef from the lookout point to identify channels and hazards before your first paddle out.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Hookipa tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 19/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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