Jaws
Last updated 07. Dec, 2009 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: It is only “must-see spectacular” when the North Shore is having monster surf!
Jaws is Maui’s biggest tow-in surfing wave, and the yearly Billabong XXL Global Big Wave contest has listed Jaws as the winning break more than any other place. The top names in surfing flock to Jaws when it is going off – 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.
Big wave surfing is something that, when seen in person, allows you to fully appreciate the magnitude of this feat – check out the You Tube video below for better perspective of how big these waves actually are.
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 2010) is graded to a point that 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.
Key Info:
Mile Marker: #13-14 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 36)
GPS Coordinates: 20.942202,-156.300688
Facilities: None.
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