North Shore Windsurfing
Kanaha
Kanaha
is one of the most popular locations for visitor windsurfing and kiting.
This location offers an excellent rigging location, easy beach launch, and easy
to moderate ocean sailing.
There are wave areas just above or below the main launch so you can
chose the level of waves you are comfortable with.
Winds are typically side-shore so launching and getting back is easy.
Check out iWindsurf.com
for the conditions, and wind history.
A
lifeguard is onsite during the normal sailing hours. The lifeguard has a
jet-ski for water rescue, but if you breakdown do not count on them racing to
the rescue. They are there for physical safety so if you are not in
physical risk, they will let you find your own way back.
If you are staying at the Maui Sunset condos, Kanaha is
approximately 15-20 minutes away.
Kanaha park is located immediately behind the main
airport. Many of the windsurf shops are just in town around
there. 
Kitesurfing is done at the lower Kanaha beach. There is
typically no mixing of windsurfers and kitesurfers at Kanaha.
There are multiple shops for windsurf and kiting gear. I typically use Hawaiian
Island Surf and Sport, but have also used Second Wind windsurf gear. Most
places have comparable rates, so you may want to shop around to a place offering
the type of gear you want to sail.
Sprecklesville
There are a number of sites along the coast between Kanaha and Hookipa for
sailing; most of these from places in Sprecklesville. Conditions range
from those of Kanaha (limited break/waves), to more challenging areas farther
toward Hookipa.
I have traveled the coast, but launches are limited and many are from private
resorts. I have never sailed this area. If you have any information
and/or photos to share, please send them in and I will include them in this
site. (webmaster@sunsetmaui.com).
Hookipa
Hookipa
is one of the more popular challenging locations to sail. If you are not
extremely comfortable in the waves, I recommend sailing the other sites as this
location can be unforgiving.
Whether you chose to sail there or not, definitely plan a trip to Hookipa to
watch. When the winds are up some of the worlds best windsurfers will put
on an aerial display well worth the trip.
