Rainbows is a collection of reef peaks on the far western edge of Maui, tucked into the Kaanapali resort area below the Kaanapali Beach Club. It breaks both left and right over uneven reef and is usually a mellow, easygoing wave, though the right can turn into a good barrel on solid north swells. Just south, Osterizers is another crisp A-frame peak that tends to have takers of its own.
When It Works
The reef draws swell from northwest through northeast, with northwest (NW) the best match. Summer south swells and winter north swells both find their way in, but nearby Moloka'i, Lana'i, and Kaho'olawe shadow a good deal of it, so quality shifts with the season and the lefts and rights trade places. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.1 m / 7 ft and is moderately consistent, with the bigger winter swells the ones that light up the right.
Wind and Tide
Wind is rarely the problem here, since Maui's dominant tradewind sits offshore. Look for east (E) offshore wind, with a workable window running from northeast round to south-southeast. The reef breaks through low, mid, and high tide, and a rising tide is better.
Local Tips
Rainbows suits intermediate surfers and takes just about any board, from shortboards and fish to funboards, longboards, and bodyboards. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it works, and the atmosphere can feel a little reserved, so keep it cool. It gets shallow and powerful with plenty of current on bigger days, which is when it asks for more experience.
Access
Getting in is easy, with Honoapiilani Park right there. Watch the reef underfoot.
