Maui has the ideal climate and its diverse topography encourages year-round recreation opportunities for visitors and residents alike. Golf and surfing are such opportunities and are very popular on Maui for many reasons. Both are very social activities and require massive dedication to achieve even the most basic competence and lifelong practice to maintain it.
Surfing
Maui is never short of waves or breaks no matter what time of year. On any given day, you will find devoted and passionate surfers spotted along the shores, waiting patiently for the perfect swell. For many, an early morning dawn patrol surf session is as much a part of their daily routine as a morning run is to other athletes.
Learning to surf, if at times frustrating, is still plenty of fun. Maui offers plenty of good, gentle, surf breaks that are perfect for learning as well as surfboard rentals and lessons for all ages and skill levels.
Honolua Bay
Below are a couple of well-known surf spots on Maui:
Breakwall is literally up against the Lahaina Harbor and can have some fun waves. It’s a popular spot to learn to surf.
Honolua Bay has world-class waves that can barrel like a machine. The beach has multiple breaks that occasionally connect, making for a lot of variety.
Golfing
Maui County is home to premier locations for golf-lovers, but there are only a handful of highly rated golf courses in Maui. Here, golf is a year-round sport.
Kapalua Plantation Golf Club
Kapalua Plantation Golf Club–Plantation
-Golf Digest’s “100 Greatest”: 97 out of 100
-Golf Digest’s “100 Greatest Public”: 19 out of 100
-Golf Digest’s “Best in State”: 2 out of 40
-Home of the PGA Tour: Hyundai Tournament of Champions
-Challenging layout: forced carries, blind shots, strong winds, very tough greens
-Fine condition, ocean vistas (plus Moloka'i and Lana'i) from every hole
The Challenge at Manele–Manele on Lanai
-Golf Digest’s “100 Greatest Public”: 33 out of 100
-Golf Digest’s “Best in State”: 7 out of 40
The Challenge golf course is one of the best oceanfront courses in Hawaii, played along ocean cliffs that are 200 feet high. This course boasts dramatic, unspoiled, and natural terrain as a stunning backdrop, and every hole offers majestic ocean views. The winter months bring spectacular sightings of whales right from the fairways.
With a reputation for excellence in design and playability, this course is built on lava outcroppings and features three holes on various cliffs, which use the Pacific Ocean as a water hazard. The five tee concept challenges the best golfers–tee shots over natural gorges and ravines must be precise.
Click here for our directory of Maui golf courses.
Interested in what Maui can offer you? We have the experience and island-wide knowledge to advise you. Contact us.
