The remote north-Maui surf and snorkel beach near the wind farm — locally called Windmills
Punalau Beach — locally called Windmills for the wind farm visible above — is the remote north-Maui beach past Kapalua, popular with surfers and adventurous snorkelers. Check the Community Water Testing section for the sample date, result and full Surfrider report. A sample describes the water collected at that place and time; it does not establish today's water quality. Check the live DOH status above separately.
Punalau lies on Maui's open north coast past Kapalua. The wind farm above the coast gives the beach its local nickname, Windmills; the shoreline has a rocky-sandy entry and offshore surf breaks.
The remote location and open-coast exposure do not establish bacteria levels. Read the dated community sample and source report for this beach, and check current DOH advisories separately.
The Hawaii Department of Health does NOT routinely test Punalau Beach (Windmills). The community-tested readings on this page come from the Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program run by the Surfrider Maui chapter.
BWTF samples Punalau Beach (Windmills) monthly using the IDEXX Enterolert method (MPN/100mL), and compares results against the same 130 Beach Action Value DOH uses statewide. See our overview of citizen water-quality testing in Hawaiʻi for the methodology and how BWTF data fits with DOH coverage.
Rocky-sandy entry. Surfers paddle out to the offshore breaks; snorkelers explore the reef when conditions are calm. Watch for sea urchins on the rocks. Strong currents on bigger swell days.
Calm summer mornings for snorkeling. Winter brings powerful north-shore swells — surfers only. Sunset is excellent. The wind farm and remote setting make this a quieter alternative to crowded Kapalua and Honolua Bay nearby.
Off Honoapiʻilani Highway past Kapalua, before Honolua Bay. Limited roadside parking. About 5 minutes past Kapalua resort. Combine with Honolua Bay (a few minutes north) for a full north-Maui surf-and-snorkel loop.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, the Surfrider Foundation, or any government agency. Bacteria readings on this page come from the Surfrider Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program. Readings are point-in-time samples; conditions change with weather, runoff, and wave patterns. 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 and BWTF directly before entering the water.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share publicly available 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. 🤙