.gif "The Maui Channel Swim")
Friday, August 28, 2026
Welcome to the annual 9.6 mile swim race across the Au’au Channel, Club Lanai to Ka'anapali
Currently the MCS is a go!
The Tropical Storms and Hurricanes in the Hawaiian Island area
are something we will continue to monitor. As more information becomes available, we will post updates. Safety is our #1 priority.
presented by
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The Maui Channel Swim is an approved Partner Event with WOWSA,
the World Open Water Swimming Association.
For more information on WOWSA visit them at www.openwaterswimming.com
What is the Maui Channel Swim?
The Maui Channel Swim is a 9.6-mile open-water relay race across the Au'au Channel between the Hawaiian islands of Lanai and Maui. It is known as one of the world's premier distance open-water swims, featuring challenging conditions, marine life, and a team-based relay format with rotating swimmers across 3 or 6-person teams, or done as a solo swim. Established in 1972, the Maui Channel Swim attracts competitive long-distance swimmers from all over the world seeking a unique ocean challenge. The Maui Channel Swim is a prestigious event for serious open-water swimmers, testing endurance and teamwork in the beautiful but demanding Hawaiian ocean environment. To qualify for the Maui Channel Swim, you need to be an experienced open-water swimmer, typically 14+, with proven endurance (e.g., 1 mile in under 30 mins), demonstrate consistent training (long swims, cold water practice), preferably have a USAS/USMS/FINA membership, and join a relay team or solo, with a boat captain and a safety officer (spotter), all while adhering to strict rules on attire (goggles/swimsuit only, no wetsuits) and finishing within the 6-hour time limit for official recognition. Please read and sign your Waiver Form when filling out your Registration/Entry. Swimmers will hire a boat on their own, see the Boating Information section. The boats typically meet on Maui in the early moring of the race, and travel over to the Island of Lanai, where the race begins at 8:00 AM. 6 Person relay teams on individual escort boats rotate swimmers in successive 30 minute legs, 3 person relay teams rotate 30 Minutes 2x, then switch to 10 minute legs until the finish line is reached at Ka'anapali Beach, Maui. Teams typically complete the swim anywhere from 3 - 6 hours, depending upon sea conditions.
About the Au'au Channel and Forecast
In August, the Au‘au Channel is at its most "tropical." While the winter is defined by whales and north swells, August is defined by heat, consistent trade winds, and the peak of hurricane season.
You can typically expect for the Au‘au Channel in August to be dominated by the Northeast Trade Winds. Because the channel is sheltered by West Maui, it remains one of the calmest passages in Hawaii, but it is not always "lake-like." Winds are typically light in the early morning (5–10 knots). By 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM, the trade winds "fill in," often reaching 15–20 knots. The summer swell usually comes from the south (generated by winter storms in the Southern Hemisphere). These south swells rarely penetrate deep into the Au‘au Channel but can cause larger surf at the southern entrances near Mā‘alaea or Lāna‘i’s southern cliffs. Water tempurature ranges a comfortable 79° F - 82°F. With fewer large swells stirring up the sandy bottom, visibility in August is often spectacular, frequently exceeding 100 feet in the middle of the channel and along the Lāna‘i coastline. The Maui Channel Swim is typically held on Labor Day weekend; however, this year it will be held on August 28 because of the forecast for box jellyfish in the Hawaiian waters Labor Day weekend. Box jellyfish bloom typically peaks 8-12 days after the full moon. Box jellyfish have venom in their tentacles that can sting and kill a person in under five minutes. The peak coincides with Labor Day in 2026.
On race day, August 28, 2026, the tide will be dropping at the start (8:00 AM) of the swim, toward a Low Tide of +0.34' at 9:06 AM. Dropping tides in the area typically produce a northbound current in the channel. An hour into the race, the tide will start filling in toward the High Tide of +2.25' at 3:45 PM, which will typically produce a southbound current. Swell size and direction as well as winds can also be factors. Swimmers are advised to work with their boat captain to navigate the optimal course.
You can typically expect for the Au‘au Channel in August to be dominated by the Northeast Trade Winds. Because the channel is sheltered by West Maui, it remains one of the calmest passages in Hawaii, but it is not always "lake-like." Winds are typically light in the early morning (5–10 knots). By 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM, the trade winds "fill in," often reaching 15–20 knots. The summer swell usually comes from the south (generated by winter storms in the Southern Hemisphere). These south swells rarely penetrate deep into the Au‘au Channel but can cause larger surf at the southern entrances near Mā‘alaea or Lāna‘i’s southern cliffs. Water tempurature ranges a comfortable 79° F - 82°F. With fewer large swells stirring up the sandy bottom, visibility in August is often spectacular, frequently exceeding 100 feet in the middle of the channel and along the Lāna‘i coastline. The Maui Channel Swim is typically held on Labor Day weekend; however, this year it will be held on August 28 because of the forecast for box jellyfish in the Hawaiian waters Labor Day weekend. Box jellyfish bloom typically peaks 8-12 days after the full moon. Box jellyfish have venom in their tentacles that can sting and kill a person in under five minutes. The peak coincides with Labor Day in 2026.
On race day, August 28, 2026, the tide will be dropping at the start (8:00 AM) of the swim, toward a Low Tide of +0.34' at 9:06 AM. Dropping tides in the area typically produce a northbound current in the channel. An hour into the race, the tide will start filling in toward the High Tide of +2.25' at 3:45 PM, which will typically produce a southbound current. Swell size and direction as well as winds can also be factors. Swimmers are advised to work with their boat captain to navigate the optimal course.
Event Inquiry Information
Event schedule
* Each swimmer must check-in. Swimmers will receive a swim cap (to be worn during the swim), event T-Shirt, event information packet, and any additional sponsorship items.
** Mandatory Captains meeting, Team Captains must be present; however, this will be open to all participants. Race Day information will be discussed.
Airport Beach Pavilion map below, also known as Kahekili Beach, Lahaina.
For Map Directions: enter "Kahekili Beach Park, 65 Kai Ala Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761"
to your map application.
Area map; Ka'anapali Beach Resort (bottom), Black Rock (mid), & Royal Lahaina (top).
For Map Directions: enter "Royal Lahaina Resort, 2780 Kekaa Dr #1, Lahaina, HI 96761"
to your map application.
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About Us
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Lahaina Swim Club
Established in 1994, Lahaina Swim Club is a USA Swimming Club, fostering excellence in swimming on the West Side of Maui. Working with youth of all ages, helping to mold them to become champion swimmers and positive contributors to the community.
Visit us at www.lahainaswimclub.com
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Lahaina Masters Swim Club
Lahaina Masters Swim Club (formerly known as Valley Isle Masters) guides adult swimmers with competitive, challenging, and fitness workouts for all levels to help training for Swimming Competition, Triathlon Training, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation, or just good ole’ Fitness! Visit us at www.lahainamastersswimclub.com
County of Maui Junior Lifeguards
The Junior Lifegaurd Summer Program 2026 is coming around the corner! Registration starts at the end of April and the application will be available only on the County of Maui website. Share & sign up your keiki to help make Maui’s water safer and our community stronger! 🤙🏽 For more information, visit the
COM Junior Lifeguard page.