Start of the world's most famous downwind paddle run — water quality & conditions guide
Maliko Bay is a small, rocky gulch bay on Maui's north coast. Water quality is generally excellent — Low Risk (1/5). The north Maui coast receives more rainfall than the south, but Maliko is not adjacent to major streams or urban runoff sources. Apply the 72-hour rain rule after heavy rain.
The Maliko Downwinder is a 9-mile (14.5 km) open-ocean paddling route from Maliko Bay to Kahului Harbor — one of the most celebrated downwind runs in the world. The route harnesses Maui's powerful northeast trade winds and swells, which funnel through the channel between Haleakalā and the West Maui Mountains.
Athletes paddle standup paddleboards (SUP), prone paddleboards, outrigger canoes (OC1/OC6), prone hydrofoils, and wing foils. The run is used by world champions for training. The Naish Maliko Challenge and other races formalize the route. On a good trade wind day, glide ratios can turn a 9-mile run into a near-continuous downwind express.
DISTANCE
~9 miles
TYPICAL TIME
1–2 hours
LAUNCH
Maliko Bay
FINISH
Kahului Harbor
⚠️ Open Ocean — Expert Paddlers Only
The Maliko run crosses open ocean channels with no shelter. Conditions can change rapidly. Current recommendations:
Best Conditions for the Run
Top-rated experiences near this beach. Check water quality above, then plan your trip.
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Free alerts when advisories change at your beach.
Hawaii’s Department of Health monitors approximately 57 beaches statewide through regular bacteria testing. However, with over 300 swimmable beaches across the islands, many popular spots have no regular testing program. Water quality varies significantly based on rainfall, stream proximity, coastal development, and ocean circulation patterns.
After heavy rain, streams and storm drains carry bacteria, sewage, pesticides, and sediment into coastal waters. The DOH recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 48 to 72 hours after heavy rain, even if the water appears clear. Brown or murky water is a visible sign of contamination, but bacteria can be present in clear water near stream mouths.
This site aggregates data from six sources — DOH advisories, USGS stream monitoring (25 stations), NOAA tide and temperature data, NDBC wave buoys, NWS weather alerts, and City & County of Honolulu water testing — to provide a more complete picture than any single source.
The 72-hour rule is the standard guideline from the Hawaii Department of Health: avoid swimming for at least 72 hours after heavy rain stops, especially near stream mouths, canal outlets, and areas with brown or discolored water. This applies to all beaches across all islands.
Bacteria from urban runoff, agricultural land, and aging cesspool systems enters the ocean through streams and storm drains. Hawaii has approximately 88,000 cesspools — more than any other state — many of which leak untreated sewage into groundwater that eventually reaches the coast. Beaches near known cesspool contamination areas carry higher risk, particularly after rainfall.
Independent passion project — not affiliated with Hawaii DOH. Ratings not real-time. Verify with Hawaii DOH.
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.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
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.
When in doubt, don’t go out. 🤙