Hanalei Bay is a popular surf spot located on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii. This bay is known for its beautiful scenery and a variety of surf breaks concentrated in a relatively small area. You can access the water easily either from the Hanalei Pier or from the keyhole off Puu Poa Beach. The main break is a long right point that can provide rides of up to 300 yards over a live coral reef. Remember that it's usually crowded, so be prepared to share the waves.

The waves at Hanalei Bay can range from head high to 3X overhead (about 3 to 10 meters). The optimal swell direction is north, and it handles swell sizes from around 10ft to 15ft (3 to 4.6 meters). The right point break can produce powerful waves with some barrel sections, especially when the swell is coming from the northwest to northeast. It's best surfed during low to mid tides and prefers a southeast wind. For your board, you can use a shortboard, bodyboard, or a gun depending on the size of the swell.

During winter, the conditions are usually more favorable for surfing, but you can also find rideable waves in autumn and spring. If you want to explore more options, there are other breaks around the bay like PineTrees and Waikokos, which you might check out if Hanalei isn't working for you. Just keep in mind that the local vibe can be a bit competitive, so humility and respect go a long way here.