Overview
Peahi, better known as Jaws, is one of the most famous big-wave spots in the world, breaking off the rugged north central coast of Maui. It's a deep-water reef that only comes to life in the biggest swells, firing over a bottom of lava, rock, and coral. Tow-in pioneers Laird Hamilton, Buzzy Kerbox, and Darrick Doerner first rode it, and it has since become a tow and paddle proving ground for big-wave surfers everywhere. Even when you're not surfing, the bluffs above Pe'ahi make for one heck of a show.
When It Works
Jaws needs serious size and really only switches on in the biggest winter swells, though its wider season runs through autumn, winter, and spring. It draws swell from northwest to northeast (NW-NE) and is usable from 6.1 m / 20 ft to 15.2 m / 50 ft, so it takes a major event to wake up. When it does, both rights and lefts break with the raw power that makes it one of the best waves of its kind anywhere.
Wind and Tide
Look for southeast (SE) offshore wind, within a workable window running east through south to south-southwest (E-S-SSW); winds tend to clock south to southwest during passing fronts. It can work through low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an expert-only wave, ridden on a gun or a tow board. Getting into it is the first hurdle: expect a long paddle if you aren't picked up by a jet ski or boat, and paddling in is genuinely hard when the trades are breezy. The wave itself and the extreme current are the main dangers, so a survival-first mindset matters. The big-wave crowd here keeps growing, so expect a moderately busy lineup that can feel reserved.
Access
Jaws isn't hard to find. Head about 1.5 miles east of Maliko Bay on the Hana Highway and turn left after Pilialoha Street. The road in is dirt, so a 4X4 may be needed depending on conditions.
