Hookipa means “hospitality,” and the wild north shore beach of the same name is certainly hospitable to wave riders. Two miles past Paia on the Hana Highway, it’s among the world’s top spots for windsurfing and kiting—thanks to tradewinds that kick up whitecaps offshore. Hookipa offers no less than five surf breaks, and daring watermen and women paddle out to carve waves up to 25 feet tall. Voyeurs are welcome as well; the cliff-top parking lot claims a bird’s-eye view. On flat days, snorkelers explore the reef’s treasure trove of marine life: Gentle garden eels wave below the surface, and turtles hunt for jellyfish or haul out on the sand to nap. More than once, a rare Hawaiian monk seal has popped ashore during a surf contest. Facilities include restrooms, showers, pavilions, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and parking.

Near Paia on the Hana Highway.