Watch: Honolua Bay // December 5th
It's not just the setting - tucked inside the triangle of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai - that makes Honolua Bay unique. Few waves, and no pointbreaks that I can think of, rise up to offer sections similar to Honolua.
From a straight-topped pointbreak as the wave comes through the Grove into the Cove section, the swell line then responds to forces unseen, throwing up all manner of angles as it heads towards the Cave: grower sections, big banked berms, high line barrels.
On the last point, watch how high surfers can sit in the barrel, often far above the flats, yet without having to squeeze inside. It's the classic almond-shaped tube.
It's also the wave MR once called, "the ultimate wave - the best wave in the world," following his mid-70s sessions, the best of which ended up in Free Ride - see 0.16 here.
Comments
Such a mesmerising wave to watch and mind surf. Very beautiful.
One of the most beautiful and best spots in the world, I think the women, wsl, should still compete there. Hell, the men should as well.
Problem was the dude got fatally attacked by a Shark morning of the contest.
Disappointing to note only 20s of a corner of a shot of a woman surfing in that crowd (15mins into a 16min clip). I have seen plenty of fantastic women surfers on Maui, with a confident style and grace not seen anywhere else in the world. At Honolua, Ho'okipa and the very sketchy, lonely breaks elsewhere on Maui. Maybe on that day they just could not bear the hassle - or the cameraman was blind them.
OpenAI doing music?
Magic
Such a beautiful place.
Wow, that’s amazing
Great shot from what I have heard it doesn't work that often.
Needs a big swell with a very particular angle to get between the islands into the bay
If crowds were not a thing, it would be my dream wave hands down. That's a gorgeous shot Sprout.
was that same Ian Gentil who is a pro surfer ???
Yeah it is but clearly on the wrong board.
Needs another six inches (don’t we all)
your being nice Stu , Merry Xmas
Not to minimise the beauty of it as a wave but I see resemblance to both North Point and Sunset. Anyone else?
A more perfect wave than Sunset or North Point. Seriously intense and talented local crew who dominate - chances of you turning up and getting one of these gems on your own is remote. An out of the way and fickle wave of immense beauty. The photos and videos do not do justice to the intensity of the wave, especially in front of the cave.
And after the session you get the challenge of climbing back up that cliff….
It's not XXL, not a death slab and not WSL, it's good. Always enjoy watching Honolua Bay.