Kanaha Beach Park
If you’re an advanced sailor you probably know all the spots in Maui, and there is plenty written elsewhere about them, so here I’ll concentrate on Kanaha for beginners, intermediates and non-windsurfers.
Intermediates should love Kanaha, it’s a brilliant spot to improve your sailing and start getting out in the waves. The reefs at uppers protect the main launch from the swell so while there is a shorebreak it’s fairly tame even when there are mast high waves breaking on the outer reefs. The water upwind of the launch is generally pretty flat, so don’t worry if every picture you’ve seen of Maui has a monster wave in it, this isn’t like that at all. Beginner lessons are run before 11am (when you otherwise can’t sail) before the trade winds pick up - check with the schools who will be there with their vans, but it should be ok for you to sail without a harness in the top corner where they sail if you’re a beginner.
The beach does drop off quite quickly so it’s not the best place ever to learn beachstarts and waterstarts, and the it can be fairly choppy when the wind is up so it can be a challenging spot but in a good way! There is a very long stretch of sandy beach downwind with just a few rock breakwaters poking out to avoid if you end up downwind.
Kanaha beach park is a popular picnic and BBQ spot with locals, and there is a small marked swimming area with a chain to keep sailors out, so it’s not a bad spot to hang out if you’re not windsurfing. There are plenty of toilets and showers, but nowhere to buy food or drinks so bring a picnic. The grassy area is huge with plenty of shade, and unless you’re on the beach only a light breeze makes it through the trees. There is plenty of parking even on weekends so there’s no need to rush down to get a spot.
Hazards
A few things to be aware of:
- The “weird wave” which breaks straight out from the launch. This wave breaks almost upwind which means it can be hard to escape if you’re getting worked as the wind will push you back into the impact zone. Don’t be tempted into trying to ride it - nobody is on it for a reason! If you’re a beginner or intermediate just turn around before you get to it.
- There are quite a few small rocks rolling around in the shorebreak (broken off the reef) so if you’re spending a day working on waterstarts or beachstarts then booties might be a good idea. Don’t just jump off your board in the shallow water as you might well land on a rock.
- The trees drop spiky things everywhere on the grass at Kanaha, so some reef shoes or sandals will save your feet as you walk to the beach.
- Watch out for the chickens which seem determined to run under your car!