NSW
2 posts
G'day,
Thanks for all the info below. Very helpul.
Somebody recently told me they ususally go to Kihei, Maui to windsurf. When I looked on the map i noticed Kihei is not on the north shore but more on the west coast...so wouldnt the wind there be offshore? Where does the tradewind come from anyway, i thought it came from the east? And wouldnt Kihei be a crappy spot if the wind is directly offshore? anyone been there?
cheers
felix
WA
48 posts
Trades are ENE or NE, and they wrrrap around Haleakala and blast through Kihei as N, NNE, or even NNNE, if such a direction exists. The folks who sail there a lot know which days are best for Kihei. As far as I can tell they seem to be the side-onshore days in Kahului, or days when the north shore is buried in rain and squalls. Keep in mind Kihei tends to be windier. 5.0 days at Kanaha can easily be 4.0 days down south. The north shore winds peak around 1pm, Kihei more like 3-4pm. So you can sail one until you collapse, then have someone drive to the other while you apply gauze bandages to your hands. Kihei's also gustier, and the water's not the cleanest until you're far out in Maalaea Bay. If there's a big south swell (unlikely, but) sail across to Maalaea and put on a show all the frustrated surfers!
Don't hit the turtles.
WA
48 posts
Ah, man. I can't let this Maui thing go, I love the place so much. The extended forecast for the island shows trades for the rest of the forseeable future. Sail everywhere -- try all the spots.
North Shore: Turquoise water, coral, turtles, waves, swaying palms, white sand, germans, swedes, 'merricans, occasional squalls, pros, beginners, everyone in between.
South Shore: Strong winds, side-off, flat water (usually), muddy shoreline and shallow reef (Sunset), brown to deep blue colors, endless run across Bay, Kihei-Wailea-La Perouse, ecstasy, sun's-down-before-you-know-it, pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming.
That said, the 7-day forecast here in Perth's looking not terrible.
