S-Turns Beach curves along West Mauis northwestern shore at Pohaku Beach Park where a protected reef break creates one of the islands premier longboard surfing spots attracting the West Sides dedicated longboard community who gather at this small beach park to ride the gentle, manageable waves that make S-Turns perfect for beginning surfers learning ocean skills, experienced longboarders practicing nose riding and classic style, and stand-up paddleboarders enjoying the moderate surf that builds during winter swells while remaining accessible to intermediate skill levels. Located at mile marker 27.1 on Honoapiilani Highway in the Kahana area with access via Hoohui Road where the McDonalds marks the corner, the beach park provides limited parking for approximately a dozen vehicles, basic facilities including a few picnic tables, and the kind of authentic local surf spot atmosphere where morning sessions see dedicated wave riders paddling out before work and afternoon crowds include surf schools teaching students on rental boards in the forgiving conditions that have made S-Turns a training ground for West Mauis surf community. The beach name derives from the S-shaped curves in the nearby highway, creating the memorable designation that appears on surf forecast websites and in local usage among the community who considers this neighborhood park their home break where consistent waves, manageable size, and the sandy bottom with scattered reef patches create ideal conditions for the longboarding style that defines this classic Hawaiian surf spot.
Surfing conditions at S-Turns remain fairly consistent year-round though winter months from November through March deliver the largest, most dependable swell when northwest and west storms generate waves that wrap around Mauis northwestern shore creating the three-to-six-foot faces that longboarders seek for extended rides, nose riding, and the classic surfing style requiring longer, heavier boards and different techniques than the aggressive shortboard approach dominating modern surf culture. Summer months see smaller surf but still provide rideable waves during south swell episodes and trade wind chop, making S-Turns one of West Mauis most reliable surf spots that delivers waves more consistently than fickle spots requiring specific swell direction and size to work properly. The protected reef structure creates waves that peel smoothly across the bay rather than closing out in sections, allowing longer rides and making the spot ideal for learning since beginning surfers get more wave time to practice pop-ups, balance, and turning before waves peter out in the channel. The long paddle out to the main break challenges beginning surfers endurance and requires reasonable fitness to reach the lineup, though the payoff comes in the form of quality waves and the authentic surf spot experience where learning occurs in the same breaks that local experts ride rather than in designated beginner areas segregated from real surf spots. The fairly exposed reef break means paddling out through the break requires timing sets, using channels, and possessing basic surf skills to avoid getting caught inside when larger sets arrive, making S-Turns best suited for surfers who have progressed beyond absolute beginner stage even though the wave faces remain manageable for intermediate skill levels.
Dining options near S-Turns include the McDonalds at the corner of Hoohui Road and Honoapiilani Highway providing fast food immediately accessible from the beach park, while the Kahana and Honokowai areas within minutes of the surf spot offer casual restaurants including Maui Brewing Company serving fresh fish, burgers, and craft beer in a lively brewpub atmosphere, Roys Kahana featuring Chef Roy Yamaguchis signature Hawaiian fusion cuisine in an upscale setting, and various food trucks, plate lunch restaurants, and casual eateries that serve the residential community. The Honokowai Marketplace approximately two miles south houses Bad Ass Coffee for espresso drinks and breakfast items, Honokowai Okazuya & Deli offering island-style takeout, and the Hawaiian BBQ providing local favorites, while nearby shopping centers include convenience stores, ABC Stores, and small markets for purchasing beverages, snacks, and basic provisions. The Kaanapali Resort area located approximately three miles south offers extensive dining at Whalers Village including Hula Grill serving fresh seafood with ocean views, Leilanis On The Beach featuring island-style cuisine in a casual beachfront setting, and Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman offering farm-to-table Hawaiian regional dishes, while Lahaina town approximately eight miles south provides the broadest restaurant selection including Front Streets numerous dining options ranging from casual fish tacos to upscale Pacific Rim cuisine.
Parking at S-Turns consists of limited spaces for approximately a dozen vehicles in the small lot at Pohaku Beach Park, with overflow parking along Hoohui Road and nearby streets when the lot fills during peak surf sessions typically occurring early morning before work hours and late afternoon after the work day ends when dedicated locals squeeze in sessions around employment schedules. The beach park provides a few picnic tables though facilities remain minimal with no restrooms, showers, or drinking water requiring surfers to come self-sufficient or use nearby public facilities at larger beach parks and shopping centers. No lifeguards patrol this surf spot, requiring surfers to assess conditions independently, understand ocean hazards including currents, reef, and larger set waves, and make informed decisions about whether conditions match personal skill levels, with the general guideline being that surfers should be comfortable in overhead surf and capable of long paddles before attempting S-Turns during solid winter swells. The reef bottom with scattered rocks requires awareness and respect particularly at low tide when reef hazards become more pronounced and wipeouts can result in contact with sharp coral and lava, making reef booties advisable for surfers concerned about foot protection. The local surf community that considers S-Turns a home break expects respectful lineup behavior including waiting your turn, not dropping in on others waves, and following standard surf etiquette that governs shared use of limited waves, with visitors welcomed when they demonstrate appropriate respect for local surfers and lineup hierarchy. The consistent waves, manageable size for intermediate surfers, classic longboard character, and authentic local surf spot atmosphere make S-Turns a valuable destination for visitors seeking genuine Hawaiian surf culture beyond the commercialized surf schools at resort beaches, though the long paddle, exposed conditions, reef bottom, and lineup dynamics mean this spot suits surfers with intermediate-plus skills comfortable in real surf breaks rather than absolute beginners who should start at protected beaches like Lahaina Breakwall where conditions are gentler and hazards minimal, allowing S-Turns to remain a working surf spot where the West Maui longboard community maintains traditions and style that connect contemporary surfing to the sports Hawaiian roots.
