Pine Trees Surfing Break

Pine Trees Surfing Break, one of west Hawai'i's best, is just south of Nelha. Why Pine Trees? Early surfers spied mangrove trees near the break, which they thought were pines. No mangroves (or pines) are visible today, but the name stuck. The break is along a long, pretty, rocky beach that makes swimming difficult. Gates are closed between 20:00 and 06:00.

There is surf at a number of points along this stretch, depending on the tide and swell. The final bay gets the most consistent yet more forgiving waves. An incoming midtide is favorable in general, but as the swell picks up in the winter these breaks often close out. This place attracts a crowd, so if you plan to paddle out, you'll have to talk story with da locals to find da powah surf, brah! When the access road to Nelha veers to the right, look left for a well-worn 4WD road leading about 2 miles further south to Pine Trees. You could walk, but the heat can be intense.