Surf spot

Jaws

Forecast conditions and map view for Jaws in USA, Hawaii, Maui. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, Hawaii, Maui
Coordinates: 20.9386, -156.2608

Metric
Metric	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00
Wave height (m)	1.2	1	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.9	1	1	1.1	1	0.9	1	1.1	0.9	0.8	0.6	0.5	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.8	0.7
Wave direction	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NE	E	NE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	NE	E	NE	E	E	E
Wave period (s)	6.6	6.6	6.8	7	7.2	7.3	7.2	7.3	7.3	7	7	7.2	7	6.8	6.7	6.8	6.8	6.3	6.3	6.2	6	5.8	5.8	6	6.4	6.4	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.3	6.8	7.7	7	7.9	8.1	8.2	8.7	8.1	7.7	7.6	8.1	8.3	8.7	8.8	8.7	8.2	8.7	8.4	9.3	6.8	9.4	7	9.1	8.4	8.6
Wave energy (kJ)	125	80	116	129	142	146	144	148	150	149	138	133	120	110	101	90	88	78	73	68	59	53	50	45	42	42	43	44	44	43	42	41	40	38	51	56	62	58	88	95	116	140	167	156	138	145	173	127	101	54	25	16	14	29	90	64
Wind speed (km/h)	11.6	12.6	16.1	23.2	25.4	23	24.4	19.6	13.7	13.3	16.3	23.9	20.9	18	19.8	20.5	16.6	16.6	18.5	25.2	29.2	23.7	21.1	22	19.3	18.6	20.4	24.5	26.1	21.3	19.8	20.6	22	23.5	26.1	32.4	34.5	30.9	29.5	28.1	27.4	26.9	30.3	34.6	36.9	31.2	32.2	31.4	26	22.5	25.7	27.5	24.5	25.2	20.9	16.9
Wind direction	ECross-on	ECross-on	ENECross-on	NECross-on	NEOnshore	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ENECross-on	NEOnshore	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ENECross-on	NEOnshore	NEOnshore	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	ENEBlown out	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ESECross	ECross-on	ECross	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross	ESECross

Jaws (Peʻahi), Maui, Hawaii, USA

Jaws, also known by its Hawaiian name Peʻahi, is one of the most famous big-wave surf breaks in the world. It sits off the north shore of Maui and is renowned for producing some of the largest, fastest, and most powerful waves on the planet.

What it’s like

Wave type: Extreme reef break
Typical conditions: Works best during large winter swells from the North Pacific
Wave size: Can range from very large to absolutely massive, often reaching 20–40+ feet Hawaiian scale and sometimes much larger in major swells
Character: Deep-water waves that build speed quickly and throw powerful, heavy walls of water
Riding style: Usually surfed by tow-in methods or by highly experienced paddle surfers when conditions allow

Why it’s famous

Jaws is legendary for its: - Huge wave faces - Incredible speed - Dangerous, shallow reef - Impressive barrels and massive drops - Role in pushing the limits of big-wave surfing

Hazards

This is an expert-only surf spot. The main risks include: - Very shallow reef - Heavy wipeouts and strong currents - Enormous wave impact - Limited margin for error - Challenging rescue conditions

Best time to visit

The prime season is typically winter, when powerful North Pacific storm systems send large swells toward Maui. During major swell events, Jaws often draws elite big-wave surfers, jet skis, support crews, and spectators.

Summary

Jaws is not a beginner or even intermediate surf spot—it’s a world-class big-wave arena known for raw power, size, and danger. For surfers and spectators alike, it represents one of the most dramatic and iconic waves in the world.