While you’ll find plenty of beaches on Maui that are perfect for spending the day laying on the sand, playing in the waves, and even snorkeling, Ho’okipa Beach Park on the north shore is a spot you definitely don’t want to miss. 

Turtles resting on the sand. Surfers riding big waves. Views back over the West Maui Mountains that belong on a postcard. 

Ho’okipa Beach Park…Surfers & Turtles

Ho’okipa Beach Park sits on Maui’s north shore about two miles east of Paia, right off the Hana Highway. This stretch is considered the windsurfing capital of the world and during winter months when the swells roll in, it’s a great place to watch local surfers. 

From the clifftop overlook up above, you can park and watch the surfers with the beautiful West Maui Mountains in the background. From the beach down below, you’ll almost always see turtles resting in the sand. 

There are restrooms and picnic tables at the park, no entry fee, and it’s an easy pull-off from the highway whether you’re hitting it as part of a north shore day trip or heading out on the Road to Hana.

Why You’ll Love This

The surf is unlike anything most people have ever seen in person. This isn’t gentle beginner waves lapping at a calm beach. When the swell is up at Ho’okipa, you’re watching surfers and windsurfers navigate some of the most powerful waves in Hawaii from a ringside seat above the action. Even on a relatively calm day the ocean here has an energy to it that’s completely different from the sheltered resort beaches in Wailea or Ka’anapali. Park at the overlook up top first… that’s the best vantage point for watching the surfers. I usually leave the parking down below for the surfers. 

The sea turtles are actually the reason most visitors make the trip out to Ho’okipa. After you’ve had your fill of watching the waves from the overlook, make the short walk down to the beach level. 

Hawaiian green sea turtles are a protected species and a local volunteer group sets up at Ho’okipa daily to make sure they’re kept safe and that people maintain the required distance. The best viewing spot is actually from the rock wall up above near the picnic tables, where you can look down and see the turtles resting on the sand without disturbing them. 

You can walk down to the sand too but you won’t be able to get very close, and honestly the view from above is better anyway. 

A visit here is a perfect north shore morning add-on.

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