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MAUI · NORTH SHORE

Hoʻokipa Beach Park

Water quality status and bacteria risk rating

📍 North Shore Maui, about 20 min east of Kahului Airport

Checking live advisories…
30-Day Water Quality History
3/30 days under DOH advisory · 27 days advisory-free
Aug 28 · No active advisoryAug 29 · No active advisoryAug 30 · No active advisoryAug 31 · No active advisorySep 1 · No active advisorySep 2 · No active advisorySep 3 · No active advisorySep 4 · No active advisorySep 5 · No active advisorySep 6 · No active advisorySep 7 · No active advisorySep 8 · No active advisorySep 9 · No active advisorySep 10 · No active advisorySep 11 · No active advisorySep 12 · No active advisorySep 13 · No active advisorySep 14 · No active advisorySep 15 · No active advisorySep 16 · No active advisorySep 17 · No active advisorySep 18 · No active advisorySep 19 · No active advisorySep 20 · No active advisorySep 21 · No active advisorySep 22 · No active advisorySep 23 · No active advisorySep 24 · Beach Advisory (bacteria exceedance)Sep 25 · Beach Advisory (bacteria exceedance)Sep 26 · Beach Advisory (bacteria exceedance)
Aug 28 through Sep 26
1 Beach Advisory (peak 137 CFU/100mL on 2026-09-24)
Trend: ▲ worsening
advisory-free Brown Water Advisory Beach Advisory (bacteria)
Historical Pattern · 3-year monthly
January — 76% advisory-free historicallyFebruary — 68% advisory-free historicallyMarch — 83% advisory-free historicallyApril — 98% advisory-free historicallyMay — 92% advisory-free historicallyJune — 100% advisory-free historicallyJuly — 100% advisory-free historicallyAugust — 89% advisory-free historicallySeptember — 97% advisory-free historicallyOctober — 100% advisory-free historicallyNovember — 98% advisory-free historicallyDecember — 92% advisory-free historically JFMAMJJASOND
Historically most advisory-free in June (100% advisory-free) and most advisoried in February (68% advisory-free). Current 30-day window is tracking about average for September.
Community Testing · Surfrider BWTF
Hōʻokipa Beach Park E
Last sample 2026-09-09 · view full report →
10 MPN/100mL
within threshold
About: Volunteer water-quality monitoring by the Surfrider Foundation's Blue Water Task Force. Method: IDEXX Enterolert (MPN/100mL). Threshold: 130 MPN/100mL Beach Action Value — matches Hawaii DOH. Sampling: monthly (Kauaʻi/Maui), biweekly (Oʻahu).
Source: Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch · Updated 2026-09-27
⚠
If It Looks Brown, Don't Swim
Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky, even if no advisory is posted. Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories — not every beach is monitored. After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours and until the water clears before swimming.
Learn more about brown water advisories →
Historical Bacteria Risk
⚠ Historical rating — this is based on long-term testing data, not current conditions. The state of Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories. Always check the water yourself and avoid brown or murky water.
Moderate-Low Risk 2 / 5

Hoʻokipa Beach has historically baseline water quality. This world-famous windsurfing and surfing beach on Maui's North Shore has open ocean exposure with excellent water circulation. Powerful surf and currents naturally flush contaminants.

Some agricultural runoff from nearby former sugar cane lands can affect water quality after heavy rain. Under normal dry conditions, bacteria levels are typically low. Important: Hoʻokipa is NOT a swimming beach. It is for expert surfers and windsurfers only. Visitors come to watch the action and see the sea turtles that rest on the beach (stay 15+ feet away).

Based on: DOH beach monitoring, open ocean exposure, some agricultural runoff potential

⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

The Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Hoʻokipa Beach has good ocean flushing, but agricultural runoff from nearby land can temporarily affect water quality after storms. This is primarily relevant for the expert surfers and windsurfers who use this beach — casual swimmers should not enter the water here regardless of conditions.

Hoʻokipa Beach Area — Nearby Accommodations
🏨 Paia & Haiku Area
Vacation rentals and B&Bs — no major resorts at beach
Info
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Hoʻokipa Beach Park Water Quality by Month
January February March April May June July August September October November December
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.

Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.

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This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.

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