Overview
Manele Bay is a left-hand reef point on the eastern rim of the bay, on the south side of Lanai. It's a fickle spot, but when it turns on it's genuinely good. The wave breaks over lava, rock and coral in a pristine, protected setting.
When It Works
Summer south swells are the draw. Lines wrap around the point, wedge up and peak, often with a barrel, then peel all the way in on a clean, workable face. The spot takes swell from south-southeast through south to west (SSE-S-W), with south the best match. It works from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 2.1 m / 7 ft, and though the main season runs through spring, summer and autumn, some of the bigger west-northwest winter swells can wrap a little energy into the bay. When the point isn't firing, shorter peaks break just past the reef edge, and there's heavy shorepound in the cove for bodysurfing and bodyboarding.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast offshore wind to groom it clean, especially as the spot turns into the easterly trades. The workable wind window runs north through east-northeast to east-southeast (N-ENE-ESE). It can work across low, mid and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This one suits intermediate and expert surfers. Shortboards, bodyboards, skimboards and bodysurfing all have a place here, with the point holding rippable lines and the shorepound offering an option on smaller days. Expect a fairly quiet, somewhat reserved lineup, where humility and respect go a long way. As a point break the rides get long, and so do the paddles once it gets bigger. Keep an eye on the reef and current.
Access
Reach it through Hulopo'e Beach Park, the bay just west of the Manele boat harbor on the south side of Lanai.
