Pua'ena Point is a right-hand reef and point break at the outermost northeast corner of Haleiwa Harbor, breaking over lava, rock, and coral. It has huge range: on a small day the inside is a mellow spot where first-timers take their maiden North Shore waves, but it can transform into an intense, experts-only barrel. When the rest of the North Shore is stormy and maxing, the protected innards of the point offer a respite from the outer-reef mayhem while still serving up plenty of rideable surf.
When It Works
The point draws swell from northwest to north (NW-N), and it truly comes alive when a clean, long-period, northerly swell pushes through, sending big right-hand walls steamrolling off the outer tip toward the harbor channel. It works from 1.5 m / 5 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft, holding size from overhead up to several times overhead. Expect the best waves through autumn, winter, and spring, with winter the prime season.
Wind and Tide
Look for an offshore wind from the east-southeast (ESE), with a workable wind window running from east to southeast (E-SE). It can work through low, mid, and high tide, though a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a wave for everyone from beginners to experts, and it suits just about any craft, from shortboards, fish, and funboards to longboards, bodyboards, guns, and tow boards. The lineup stays fairly quiet with a somewhat reserved atmosphere, tending to be light when it's big and busier when it's small. Humility and respect go a long way here.
Access
Heading north out of Haleiwa town toward Waimea, park in the Haleiwa Beach Park lot on the seaside of the highway. Keep in mind the reef, strong currents, and the sheer power of the wave when it's big. On bigger, more northerly swells the current rushing across the point can be strong, demanding near-constant paddling to hold position. The close proximity to Haleiwa Harbor also makes pollution a common hazard.
