Maui has Hawaii's best windsurfing beaches. In winter, windsurfers from around the world flock to the town of Paia to ride the waves; Hookipa Beach, known all over the globe for its brisk winds and excellent waves, is the site of several world-championship contests. Kanaha, west of Kahului Airport, also has dependable winds. When the winds turn northerly, Kihei is the spot to be; some days, you can spot whales in the distance behind the windsurfers. The northern end of Kihei is best: Ohukai Park, the first beach as you enter South Kiehi Road from the northern end, has not only good winds, but also parking, a long strip of grass to assemble your gear, and good access to the water. Experienced windsurfers here are found in front of the Maui Sunset condo, 1032 S. Kihei Rd., near Waipuilani Street (a block north of McDonald's), which has great windsurfing conditions but a very shallow reef (not good for beginners).

Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport, 415 Dairy Rd., Kahului (tel. 800/231-6958 or 808/871-4981; www.hawaiianisland.com), offers lessons, rentals, and repairs. Other shops that offer rentals and lessons are Hawaiian Sailboarding Techniques, 425 Koloa St., Kahului (tel. 800/968-5423 or 808/871-5423; www.hstwindsurfing.com), with 2 1/2-hour lessons from $69 and equipment rental from $46 a day; and Maui Windsurf Co., 22 Hana Hwy., Kahului (tel. 800/872-0999 or 808/877-4816; www.maui-windsurf.com), which has complete equipment rental (board, sail, rig harness, and roof rack) from $45 and 1 1/2- or 2 1/2-hour lessons ranging from $69 to $75.

For daily reports on wind and surf conditions, call the Wind and Surf Report at tel. 808/877-3611.