Overview

Little Cape St. Francis is a spot in the McGregor Point area on Maui's south coast, in the wind corridor between the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala. The spot takes its name from its resemblance to the famous South African spot Cape St. Francis, thanks to its consistent wave breaks. Wind is strongly accelerated through this natural funnel, creating powerful conditions reserved for advanced riders. The spot is exposed to the elements with coastal cliffs and limited access.

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Spot forecast for Little Cape St. Francis / Maui

Sunrise 06:23 · Sunset 17:58

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 4 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October Low tide 03:17 · 0.3 m High tide 11:14 · 0.6 m Low tide 18:39 · 0.2 m
Tuesday 20 October High tide 00:32 · 0.4 m Low tide 04:52 · 0.3 m High tide 11:59 · 0.6 m Low tide 18:57 · 0.2 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:02 · 0.4 m Low tide 06:04 · 0.3 m High tide 12:35 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:14 · 0.2 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:30 · 0.5 m Low tide 07:03 · 0.2 m High tide 13:07 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:32 · 0.1 m
Friday 23 October High tide 01:59 · 0.6 m Low tide 07:55 · 0.2 m High tide 13:39 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:53 · 0.1 m

Little Cape St. Francis / Maui: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

249h

in July · 24 rideable days

The season runs from May to October, peaking in July: 21 rideable days a month and 249 hours of usable wind, at 29 °C. The low point is January, at 6.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 91%13-20 knots · 9%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 91% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is February, at 25 °C. The wettest month is January, with 160 mm.

Monthly averages: Little Cape St. Francis / Maui

Monthly averages — Little Cape St. Francis / Maui — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	6.5	51 h	26 °C	160 mm
February	9.0	88 h	25 °C	19 mm
March	17.5	186 h	26 °C	17 mm
April	12.0	106 h	28 °C	28 mm
May	16.0	137 h	28 °C	16 mm
June	23.0	209 h	29 °C	3 mm
July	24.0	249 h	29 °C	6 mm
August	24.0	217 h	30 °C	26 mm
September	20.0	134 h	29 °C	4 mm
October	17.5	127 h	29 °C	5 mm
November	15.0	145 h	27 °C	15 mm
December	7.5	60 h	27 °C	15 mm

Photo gallery of Little Cape St. Francis / Maui

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Technical details of Little Cape St. Francis / Maui spot

The spot works with winds from NNE, NE, ENE, E.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Advanced

On the water

Warm water year-round (23-27°C/73-80°F), no wetsuit needed — a lycra is sufficient. The bottom is rocky and coral. Waves can be significant, particularly with northwest swell in winter and south swell in summer. Chop is substantial due to strong and consistent wind. Strong currents along the coast. Conditions are significantly more challenging than sheltered Kihei or West Maui spots.

Hazards

Very strong wind in the McGregor corridor — demanding conditions. Strong and unpredictable currents. Shallow rocky reef — wear reef booties. Difficult access via coastal cliffs. No sandy beach for launching — technical access. Abundant sea urchins. Protected sea turtles (honu) — legal distance required. Sharks (tiger sharks) present in this area. Humpback whales from December to April — 100 yards distance required.

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Additional stations

POHAKEA 13.6 km

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HANAULA 13.4 km

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All spots: Hawaii

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Little Cape St. Francis / Maui kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot