Jaws (aka Pe’ahi)
Last updated 04. Jan, 2012 by Mark in Adventures, Adventures & Sights | Rd to H, North Shore, Road to Hana, Road to Hana Sites
When the North Shore surf is big, Jaws is gigantic.
Rating: 
In a nutshell: The biggest wave surfed in the world each year has been at Jaws more than any other place.
Minuses: The access road can be 4WD
Sound-bite: [crashing waves, cheers and helicopters]
Disclaimer on the rating:
Jaws is only “must-see spectacular” when the North Shore is having monster surf (look for high surf warnings and consult the real-time wave data chart below.)
Key Info:
Mile Marker: Between #13 & 14 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 36)
GPS Coordinates: 20.942202,-156.300688
Facilities: None
Map: Below | Get directions
Current Wave Data: Below
Summary
Jaws is Maui’s biggest tow-in surfing break, and the yearly Billabong XXL Global Big Wave contest has listed Jaws as the winning break more than any other place. When it’s going off, the top names in surfing flock to Jaws – and mere mortals like us follow to watch in awe.
Tow-in surfing is when the waves are so large that the only way a pro surfer can get in to them (in one piece, anyway) is to be skillfully towed in, and dropped off, via Jet Ski.
The Bad News
Before you add this to your must-do list for your Maui vacation, here is the bad news: chances are you won’t be able to. Most years there are just a few big-wave events with the perfect conditions for surfing Jaws. So, you’re going to eed some luck with timing!
If you are lucky enough to see this in person, you’re sure to appreciate the magnitude of these feats of athleticism. (Check out the You Tube video below for better perspective of how big these waves actually are.)
How to Know if Jaws is Going Off
We post High Surf Warnings on MauiGuidebook.com (tip: like our Facebook page, we also post High Surf warnings there.) Also check the chart below for real-time wave heights to time your visit within the high surf event.
Hmax = biggest wave of hour; Htenth & Hthird = hourly avg of the largest in 10 & 3 waves
Data: PacIOOS chart of University of Hawaii buoy 187
The Jaws Lookout
The lookout on the Peahi cliffs above the break are the best vantage points outside of a boat or helicopter. As far as driving to the overlook goes, the best route is shown in the Google Map below. This 1.5 mile dirt road currently (winter 2011) is graded to a point that most any car can get in or out when it is dry. That said, it can rain suddenly on the North Shore, and what looks like a sunny beautiful day can be sprinkled with sudden downpours turning the steeper parts of the road to a surface that’s as slick as ice. Depending on what you’re driving, you could get stuck and need assistance. There are a few places you can park off to the side of the road (be sure not to block access roads), so if walking 3 miles round-trip is not an option, you can drive in as far as you feel comfortable given the current conditions, and opt to walk the rest of the way.
View Jaws in a larger map
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