WEST MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 84

LAHAINA
Lahaina and the areas south of Lahaina have small waves breaking during most of the year,
while summer has the most consistent surf. Most days will only have waves in the waist-
high range, but on the best swells of summer the surf can reach overhead. If you've rented
your own board, there are few better ways to start a day on Maui than with a dawn patrol
surf session, as the sun's rays seeping through the valleys of Mauna Kahalawai turn the
water a brilliant shade of blue.
MM Surf Spots
The most popular surf break in Lahaina is Lahaina Breakwall, located between the 505
shopping center and Lahaina Harbor. This is where most of the Lahaina surf schools op-
erate. All of the surf schools hang out in the shallow inside section, whereas the more ex-
perienced surfers sit farther outside. The outside section at small levels can be either a left
or a right, although when it gets big on a large summer swell, it can turn into a huge left
that can grow to 10 feet or larger. During low tide it can get shallow enough here that you
need to paddle with your fingertips and your skeg can scrape the bottom, so high tide is
the optimal time for those who are concerned about falling (to tell whether it's high tide
or low tide, look at the water in front of 505; if rocks stick out of the water, it's low tide).
As the most popular break in Lahaina it shouldn't come as a surprise that this spot can get
crowded, a fact of life which has earned it the moniker of Snakewall. If you're a beginning
surfer who has rented a board, you're better off going a few miles south to Puamana Beach
Park or Guardrails.
Rental Shops and Schools
While rental shops and surf schools are a dime a dozen, these are four trusted schools with
sterling reputations.
Inside the 505 shopping center, Goofy Foot (505 Front St., 808/244-9283,
www.goofyfootsurfschool.com , 7am-9pm daily, no lessons Sun.) has helped over 100,000
students ride their first wave since opening in 1994. Two-hour lessons are $65/person, and
the owner, Tim, often enjoys time on the water as the private surf coach for Jimmy Buffett.
For board rentals, expect to pay $20 for two hours or $25 for three hours.
One block away on Prison Street are Royal Hawaiian (117 Prison St., 808/276-7873,
www.royalhawaiiansurfacademy.com , 7am-7pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-3:30pm weekends) and
Maui Wave Riders (133 Prison St., 808/875-4761, www.mauiwaveriders.com , 7am-9pm
daily). Royal Hawaiian has been operating since 1996 and Maui Wave Riders since 1997,