Ho‘okipa
North Shore, Maui, United States · Reef break
Local time — · Sunrise 06:33 · Sunset 17:47
Reading the ocean.
SWELLRADAR is requesting a verified marine run for Ho‘okipa.
Spot intelligence.
Ho‘okipa is a group of demanding Maui reef sections, not one uniform wave. Pavilions, Middles and the other takeoffs respond differently. This is a paddle-surf profile: afternoon trade winds that suit windsurfing are not automatically favourable for clean paddle surfing.
Profile source · Tom Barefoot’s Tours · Ho‘okipa surf guideProfile sources & limits
Reviewed 19 Oct 2026 · not observation-validated
Published sources reviewed by SWELLRADAR, not validation against measured breaking waves. Swell-from and wind-from axes are independent qualitative ranking inputs, not surveyed shoreline bearings. The inherited generic 0.6–3.0 m offshore-model height bands are unchanged: they are not measured local surf limits, safe learner ranges or wave-face conversions. Requested offshore points are not takeoffs. No preferred tide motion, minimum reef depth or safe entry is inferred. Check the actual section, currents and your ability locally. Tom Barefoot’s original guide establishes advanced ability, multiple sections, shallow reef and strong currents, with N/NW/NE exposure varying by section. Surf-Forecast supplies the narrower NNE ranking preference and independent S wind for paddle surf. Neither source validates this approximate map pin as a takeoff or turns the inherited offshore height band into a local handling limit.
- Tom Barefoot’s Tours · Ho‘okipa surf guide
Original Maui operator guide: distinct reef sections, advanced ability, winter swell, shallow reef, strong currents and windsurfing context
- Surf-Forecast · Hookipa, Maui
Maui reef identity, NNE swell, independent S offshore wind, all-stages tide response and reef/rip/urchin hazards
Source-informed axes
Swell axis NNE · 23°
Offshore wind from S · Advanced profile
Wave
Lefts and rights · several reef sections
Shallow reef and rocky shoreline
Swell window
N–NE · section-dependent
0.6–3.0 m offshore ranking band
Clean wind
S · light offshore for paddle surfing
Applied to wind scoring
Tide window
All stages · section-dependent
No tide phase affects scoring
Field guide
Read the break.
Character · setup · local read
Field guide
Read the break.
Character
01Ho‘okipa is defined by lefts and rights · several reef sections over shallow reef and rocky shoreline. The shape can change with swell angle, period and the active section, so the live score should always be paired with a visual check from shore.
Best setup
02N–NE · section-dependent swell, s · light offshore for paddle surfing and all stages · section-dependent form the profile baseline. SWELLRADAR retains 0.6–3.0 m as an offshore-model ranking band, not a measured local surf limit or a breaking-wave prediction.
Lineup read
03This is an advanced profile: positioning, entry and exit should be assessed before committing. Pay particular attention to strong currents, shallow reef and rocks, large winter surf. Local signs and advice always take priority.
Know before you paddle
Live conditions and local advice always override this profile.
Optional community layerRecent surfer reportsVoluntary and potentially incomplete. Not used for the forecast or Surf Score.
The break
Reef break
Advanced. Works best with N–NE · section-dependent swell.
Timing
S · light offshore for paddle surfing
All stages · section-dependent. Re-check local observations and the lineup before you paddle out.
Data note
Model data unavailable
SWELLRADAR withholds numerical conditions, scores and surf windows until a quality-checked marine forecast is available.