Kihei Cove

Kihei Cove is a well-known, beginner-friendly surf and bodyboard spot on the southwest shore of Maui, Hawaii, in the town of Kihei. It’s a small sheltered cove with warm water, generally mellow conditions, and easy access, making it popular with first-time surfers, longboarders, SUP users, and bodyboarders.

What it’s like

• Wave type: Soft, rolling waves over a sandy bottom
• Best for: Beginners, lessons, longboarding, and small-wave fun
• Break style: Usually a gentle shorebreak/inside reef-sheltered wave depending on swell
• Crowds: Often busy, especially when conditions are good and with surf schools present

Conditions

• Best swell: Small to medium south or southwest swells
• Wind: Often best early morning before trade winds pick up
• Water: Warm year-round
• Hazards: Can have crowding, occasional shallow areas, and changing sandbars; watch for local rules and other water users

Why people like it

• Easy beach access
• Friendly, manageable waves
• Good place to practice pop-ups, trimming, and turning
• Scenic setting with the relaxed Kihei beach vibe

Good to know

Kihei Cove is generally one of the more forgiving surf spots on Maui, but conditions can still change quickly. If you’re planning to surf there, check the local forecast for swell, wind, and tide before heading out.