Surf: Most beaches are steep, narrow and strewn with grey to black sand, so Hapuna, the island’s largest and whitest makes a nice contrast. Ideal for bodysurf or bodyboarding in the hollow dumpers plus a nearby reef peak that is a heavy, localised spot with square barrels in a W swell. Environment: The beach is often mushy but has a few epic swells every year. A bit further south is a a clutch of shallow, hollow reefbreaks named after mile markers like 69's. Surf: General: Just a few miles south of Kawaihae Harbor is Hapuna Bay, one of the Big Island's most beautiful beaches. While not the greatest surfing spot on the Big Island, Hapuna can turn on, but it is more often than not shadowed from big N swells by the northern tip of the Big Island, and from S swells by the southwest coast. Big, winter W swells, however, can transform Hapuna Bay's southern edge into a spectacular lefthand point-break. The rest of the time, Hapuna's long, wide sweep of golden sand beach is a haven for skimboarders, bodyboarders and bodysurfers. This shoredump breaks over sand, and the outer wave breaks over shallow reef. Tides: All tides Size: Head high-2X overhead Wind: Calm or offshore from an easterly direction (NE to E to SE). Mornings usually always see light wind and clean conditions, before an afternoon seabreeze develops. Swell: The more west the better, from either the South or North Pacific. Bottom: Sand for the shorepound off the beach. Rocky reef off the left point when breaking. Paddling: Very short paddle for the shorepound, while the left point (when breaking) is much more of a paddle. Spot Rating: Usually always shorepound, but a big WNW swell in winter can transform the southern edge of the bay into a spectacular left-hand point-break. Access: Easy. Straight off the highway with parking at Hapuna Beach Park. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Beautiful beach with easy access, so usually always people. Local Vibe: Humility and respect appreciated. Environment: Pristine. Hazards: On bigger swells, the shorepound can slam the crap out of you. Shallow reef at the outer point. Season: Year-round. Winter NW-WNW swells and summer SSW-SW swells.