Wind strength Oahu vs Kauai

[swchandler]

If the wave at the Y Camp is wiped out by larger swell, you can consider Middles and adjacent spots in Hanalei Bay. The surf break at Hanalei is too sheltered to windsurf, but you might be able to get some action on the outer point at Hanalei. Needless to say, the reef at Hanalei is gnarly.


Regarding Tunnels and Cannons, there is considerable distance between the two spots, however, the small bay between the two spots is wind protected and can have a nasty shorebreak. Because of that, it's best to launch east of Tunnels between the Y Camp and the point at Tunnels reef. With a good sized swell, it might be tricky finding the right spot to launch and return through the reefs.

Although I've never windsurfed on the Westside, the surf can be outstanding particularly at Kene Kene (not sure of spelling) and Major's Bay in the Barking Sands Navy base. Also up toward Polihale, Queen's Pond could be great, but it's sort of hard to find in the cane fields. The thing about the Westside is that the NW to W swells and the trades can wrap around the island.

[dllee]

Good stuff above...
I might add, I sailed left's at Middles and right's at Pinetrees, the inside play break next to the pier at Hanalei. More filled in on typical winds than Hanalei, I never even seriously considered windsurfing Hanalei itself.
There's a tree lined drive into a spot called something like Mahalapuu or something like that near Lihue. It looks like Sylt in Germany for wind direction in regards to backside wave riding. I've only seen pictures of there, but local SanFrancisco surfer/windsurfers have sailed there quite a bit. I think it works only on kona winds, SSW.

[MauiMakani]

I used to spend half the year on Kauai back in the 80's before I moved to Maui, so things may have changed since I was there, but here are my memories.
1. Tunnels can be very intense on a big NW swell. During the summer months, the trade swell wraps around the point, making a fun playful wave that peters out into the bay so there is an easy exit at the end of the wave. A big northwest swell tends to quickly close out at the end of the wave at a section that we used to call the "lion's jaws", and if you have not kicked out by then you are screwed. If you fall or try to straighten out in front of the wave, you will be pushed onto a large reef with a few inches of water and very strong currents that make it nearly impossible to get off of with a windsurfer. We used to call it "the penalty box".
2. The closest access to tunnels is through a narrow channel at the tip of the point, upwind of the break. If you have any question about being able to nail this channel, or being able to get back upwind to it, don't go out.
3. Y-camp is another half mile upwind of tunnels, and is the easiest access, however with a big NW swell there is likely to be a nasty shore break. There is a peak wave on the outside of y-camp that I have ridden at around 15 feet, but it never lined up into a wall.
4. A spot that I used to like to sail on a NW swell is at a point a few hundred yards past the beginner area at Anini Beach east of Hanlalei. It needs to have stronger than normal trades to work. There is a channel out off the tip of the point, and then a nice outside peak on the downwind side of the channel. The end of the wave will close out onto a shallow reef that may or may not be crossable depending on the tide and the size of your fins, so be prepared to kick out before the inside reef unless you are sure. I have sailed this spot up to 15'+, but not sure how it will work out if this next swell gets over 20'.
4. Mahaulepu that was mentioned is actually on the south shore closer to Poipu. It works on normal NE trades with a south swell, and is a 'down the line' wave as opposed to backside. You just have to time your bottom turns around the "three sisters" coral heads that bubble to the surface. There is a nice 4-6' south swell predicted for this same time period, so if the north shore looks like too much, this might be worth checking out.
Anyway, those are my memories from 30 years ago. Hope you have a good trip.

[beaglebuddy]

[beaglebuddy]

PS, make sure you bring everything you need because there is not one windsurfing/kite shop, you couldn't find so much as one footstrap on the whole island let alone a component.
If you break something PM me and I will loan it to you.

[beaglebuddy]

I hope I am wrong but I don't think there will be enough wind to sail this weekend unless it gets a lot windier tomorrow. There is only the beginning of an occasional whitecap and rain looming. I took this picture today, Friday around noon from the end of my road in Princeville looking straight West, the point of land sticking out the furthest is Kilauea point where the lighthouse is. In the foreground below me is the end of the Anini lagoon, where the reef cuts in is the end of Anini road where a stream lets in and makes a channel in the reef. Where the reef is sticking out the furthest, this is called 59's and a good place to sail waves outside the lagoon. In the background inside the lagoon is where the boat ramp is, a deep wide spot in the lagoon with swimmers and a more beginner windsurfing area.

[capetonian]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I looked at Tunnels on Friday but decided the swell was too big. Shortly afterwards the rain came and killed the wind so I'm glad I wasn't tempted. The potential of the spot is impressive, but will have to wait for another time with a smaller winter swell, or a summer trade swell. On Saturday I sailed Mahaulepu. One other windsurfer and 5 kiters. I almost ran into the coral heads going DTL, but once I figured them out I had a great sail. The cove upwind of the sailing site met my wife's requirements for natural beauty, shelter from the wind, relatively safe swimming for the kids and shady trees so she was happy to spend the entire day there. We returned to Oahu on Sunday. Kauai is a beautiful island and I look forward to returning.

[windward1]

beaglebuddy, you said with regard to your pic that it was taken looking straight west. Don't yo mean looking straight east?
W1

[beaglebuddy]

You are right, looking straight east.