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The Maui Guide to Kite Beaches

Kiteboarding Locations

Your guide to the best kiteboarding beaches in Maui starts here

Before kiting the North Shore of Maui please be sure you know the rules:

No Kiteboarding before 11AM

Keep a minimum distance of 200 feet from other ocean users (swimmers, fisherman, divers, paddlers, etc.)

We are on a special permit from the FAA to be allowed to kite within 5 miles of the airport.

  • All kitesurfing participants must be responsible for seeing and avoiding all aircrafts.

  • The waiver is applicable and only valid between the hours of official sunrise and sunset

  • All kiteboarders shall be responsible for seeing and avoiding non-participants, No maneuvers shall be performed over persons or property not involved in kiteboarding activity

  • The rope or attaching cables must not exceed 125 feet in length and no kite shall be operated more than 125 feet above sea level.

  • No kiteboarding in the 2 nautical mile long by one nautical mile wide corridor. The corridor’s length starts at the end of the OGG airport runway. The corridor’s width is comprised of one half a nautical mile on each side of the runway, from the runway’s end to sea.  See Map below.

Also we have a list of general right of way rules and guidelines to follow when kiting HERE

North Shore Kiteboarding Launch Sites

Kite Beach Maui aka Teach Beach

GPS Location of Parking: (20.896838, -156.448064)

This is where all the magic started in the late 1990s and continues to deliver good winds.  Located at the western end of Kanaha Beach Park where you will find a big dirt parking lot and multiple kite schools operating from.   Typically we will get our prevailing trade winds from the NE to E direction which are the ideal direction for learning because it is a cross-onshore to cross-shore wind.  If you are new to the beach, we strongly recommend you talk with some locals before you launch because there can be a big wind shadow if the wind is from the E or SE which makes it difficult to fly your kite off the beach.  Also beware of fisherman using this beach, general beach goers not familiar with kites, and spear fisherman in the water always have right of way.   Giving everyone else space is mandatory to ride here.  This is a great location for beginners to experts because it has a nice landing zone downwind should beginners fail to stay up wind and also the flat water pro pool upwind to throw down some freestyle tricks.   In the winter months, big waves will be on the outer reefs and make for extremely fun conditions with a quick tack to the outside but be sure to ride with a buddy because it can get dangerous.  The further out you go the bigger the waves and the higher the risks.  Use extreme caution and if your not comfortable in waves, be sure to hire a guide from Kite HI to show you the safest places to have fun and proper etiquette for wave riding before venturing out to the expert riding zones (Boneyard, Lowers, Outer Reef Breaks).

Ka’a Point aka Pro Beach

The upwind section of Kite Beach is a family beach. Native Hawaiians are usually here enjoying the family beach with their children and fishing. This is a territorial pool and you must never kite here when a fisherman has a line in the water or if there are children playing in this zone. This beach has a very turbulent wind shadow and it is for expert riders only due to the updraft from the trees and difficulty landing back on the beach with the extreme wind shadow on most days. Also there is a rotation for doing tricks in this zone and basically you need to be able to go into the pool close to the rocks and exit further downwind quickly should you attempt to ride here beware of the pros throwing big air tricks and be sure to give tons of room downwind for them to land on windy days.

Flash Beach

Keyhole aka Naish Beach(downwind dirt road) or Old Man’s Beach (upwind side at park with showers)

GPS Location of Parking:  (20.899247, -156.440453)

Named after one of the godfathers of kiteboarding, Flash Austin, this beach is one of the best places to go once you are upwind.  The launch is much easier because it is more open then Kite Beach and there is much more beach to work with so it doesn’t get as crowded and there is always a open place to setup.  The wind is much cleaner and predictable near the beach and this is why you will find the majority of kiters riding here.   Beware of Rock Jetties downwind as they are the biggest hazard on Flash beach, also the downwind outer reef on low tide (The Boneyard) has done its fair share of damage as well.  Be sure to check with locals before going out to make sure you are not riding in swim zones which are off limits.   If you decide to go upwind from here there is a good chance you will enter the Windsurfing zone which can get a bit uncomfortable if your not used to riding around them.  They have right away 99% of the time so please use caution and keep a safe distance away from them. This beach is right next to the lifeguard tower which is also nice should you need help they will see you and be able to assist in emergency situations.  There are several access points to this beach and we recommend the Kanaha parking lot (old man’s) because there are showers waiting for you after you ride and it is more secure.  Be sure to lock your car and take your keys to the beach with you if you choose to park on the main road (Amala Pl.) because there have been stolen cars and theft near the airport which could really put a damper on your trip.

Lanes & Ho’okipa

aka Hamakua Poko (H-Poko)

Maui’s premiere big wave location and the Kite HI Pros’ favorite place to kitesurf when the waves get big.  For Experts only because you cannot make any mistakes due to the of the rocky coastline, sharp reef,  gusty wind, strong currents, and big waves.  Consider your ability before attempting to launch at Lanes, be prepared for extreme conditions and we recommend watching other kiter launch and land and ask all the questions you can before attempting to launch here for the first time.  Also we think you should explore the downwind coastline to see all options for possible accidental downwinders.  Booties are required for 99% of the local riders because of sea urchins and the sharp reef shelf you must walk across to access the ocean.  Please observe the wave rotation and give everyone as much space as possible to make sure everyone is safe and doesn’t get mad because you are in the way while they are catching waves and riding them downwind.

Should you venture upwind to Ho’okipa you must know the following rules:

  • If 10 Surfers/Windsurfers are at Ho’okipa kiters must not be in the area.

  • A downed kite will present a danger to those on the inside, so keep kite in control

  • Board leashes are recommended

  •  The lifeguards want to know everyone who kites here and want to share their safety concerns so stop by and check in

  • Surfers always have right-of-way.

  • Stay at least one kite length away from surfers, and off any wave they catch

  • Windsurfers and kiters have equal priority when catching waves.

  • The rider who catches the wave first has right-of-way. If a wave is caught simultaneously, the upwind rider has right-of-way

  • Sharing a wave is common in both windsurfing and kiting, IF BOTH RIDERS AGREE. However, because of a kiter’s lines, it is recommended that the kiter surf downwind of the windsurfer

  • If a lifeguard sounds one blast during your transition it is a warning: you did something unsafe. Two blasts means you must leave. Talk to the lifeguards later and ask them to explain their concerns. Three blasts means all kiters must leave. A siren means keep the channel clear, so lifeguards can launch their rescue craft

  • Remember, you are kiting with some of the best windsurfers and kiters in the world. Please show them and the lifeguards the respect they deserve and we will all have a great time Finally, Ho‘okipa means hospitality and our ability to kite there depends on mutual respect of all ocean users

BALDWIN BEACH

aka Baby Beach

Parking at Baby Beach is the best place to park and relatively safe with just a short walk to the launch site. The BEACH IS NOT SAFE against theft. There has been many thefts of kite bags and other gear off the beach. It is highly recommended to bring only a pump, kite and board with you to launch. Pumps left on the beach do not seem to be a theft problem.  When launching please be extremely cautious to those on the beach and make sure you are not interfering with their activities.  There is a designated launch zone and it is about a 10 minute walk upwind from the parking area, upwind of the reef. There is to be no launching any closer to the reef and beach goers near Baby Beach. All Kiters using this beach are required to be able to launch and land themselves independently and safely without incident.  The beach is exclusively for launching and landing, no standing on the beach with kites in the air.  No sailing within 1000′ off the main Baldwin Beach because it is a designated swimzone, this means no riding in the shore break. Beware of the intense shorebreak when entering the water and plan for the current to take you towards the reef so have a safety buffer to get out.  This is the most delegate zone because it is relatively new and we must have zero incidents. Be on your best behavior and respect all beach users and lifeguards otherwise we could loose access.