Kitesurfing Anaehoomalu Bay · Big Island

Wind & Conditions

Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay) on the Big Island's Kohala Coast. Afternoon thermal NW-N wind (300-360°, 12-20 kn) in summer from the Mauna Kea thermal. Flat, calm bay with reef protection. Warm blue water, sandy beach at the Waikoloa resort area. Great intermediate spot.

About Anaehoomalu Bay · Big Island

Anaehoomalu Bay — A-Bay to everyone who's been — sits on the Kohala Coast on the western side of the Big Island, tucked into the Waikoloa Beach Resort area. It's a sheltered, reef-lined bay with warm blue water and a sandy beach framed by palms and the distant silhouette of Mauna Kea inland. The combination of flat water and reliable afternoon thermals makes this one of the more forgiving kitesurf setups in Hawaii. Getting there puts you squarely in resort territory. The beach is accessed through the Waikoloa resort complex, and once you arrive, you're looking at a wide, sandy stretch with calm water extending into the bay. The reef system provides a natural buffer from open-ocean swell, so the inside of the bay runs consistently flat — a genuine rarity in Hawaii where chop and surge are the norm elsewhere. Wind here is thermal-driven. On summer afternoons, heat rising from the inland lava fields pulls air off the ocean, building a NW to N thermal that typically runs between 12 and 20 knots. The usable kite window spans from due south all the way around through west, north, and toward east — the thermal direction sits comfortably in that arc. It builds through the afternoon, so early mornings are often light. Plan to be on the water by early to mid-afternoon for the best window. The flat bay is what makes A-Bay work for intermediate riders. You get enough space to work upwind, the water state is manageable, and you're not fighting a choppy ocean surface. More advanced riders looking for waves won't find them inside the bay — this place rewards those who want to nail their technique, work on transitions, or put in time on a foil without the stress of variable chop. Hazards worth knowing: the reef that creates the flat water is also out there, so be aware of your depth, particularly toward the bay edges. The thermal can build quickly in the afternoon — what starts at 12 knots can push past 20 by mid-afternoon, so pick your kite size with that progression in mind. On the facilities side, Anaehoʻomalu Bay at the Waikoloa Beach Resort has a kite school on the beach, and Hawaiian Watersports also operates here — both useful if you need lessons or local guidance before launching. For food and drink after a session, Bay Club Bar is around a kilometer away, Boat Landing Cantina is nearby, and Big Island Breakfast covers the pre-session fuel. Hali'i Kai by Polu Resorts and Big Island Condo both offer accommodation within easy reach of the bay. This isn't a spot that punishes you — it's one that rewards patience and timing. Hit the afternoon thermal window in summer, size your kite conservatively until you know how the wind builds, and you've got one of the most pleasant kitesurf setups the Big Island has to offer.

Best Season

Check the Breeza app for the current rideable window at Anaehoomalu Bay · Big Island.

World Ranking

Not globally ranked, but a kitesurf destination — a local favourite worth a check when the wind lines up.

Location

Anaehoomalu Bay · Big Island, Hawaii, United States, United States

Lat: 19.9361, Lon: -155.8803