Hapuna Reviews and Ratings
(Big Island, USA)
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Visitor reviews of Hapuna surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Hapuna is the first break I have ever surfed. It’s not the best wave but is really fun when it’s nice. There are lots of spots at hapuna so you don’t need to worry about to many people. Often times I won’t even go to the wedge (even tho it’s a really nice wave) most times I go to middle rock where there is excellent shore break and if the conditions are good glassy barrels. Or you could go to hotels with lots of backwash and even beteer closeouts not to mention the hot chicks! Overall hapuna is a great beach to come down with your friends and mess around. On a nice day it’s one of the best spots on the island but most of the time blown out or flat.”
Benslanders from UNITED STATES - 24 Oct 2019
Hapuna Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 8 votes and 3 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 4.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.6(1: Hapuna is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.0(1: Hapuna is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Big Island. 5: the best break in Big Island). |
Difficulty Level: 3.1(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.7(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Hapuna can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.7(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Hapuna, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.1(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Hapuna are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.5(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.1(1: Often too crowded. 5: Hapuna is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.4(1: Getting to Hapuna requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.3(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.7(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 3.4(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Hapuna for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.5(1: Camping at Hapuna is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.1(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Hapuna is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.9(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 2.4(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Hapuna, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Hapuna where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Great big beach enough room for everybody and when its big it hits hard. Snorkel spots on all edges.”
SSDD from UNITED STATES - 03 Sep 2011
“On one good day Hapuna is sick, especially when get couple big swells that hit and wash da sand out, the wedge is mean but I herd from choke veterans that the wedege was even better back then. Hapuna he go except for the haoles that dont know what they doin' or gettin' in the way.”
NATIVE BOI from UNITED STATES - 01 Oct 2010

