Jaws, Big wave surf spot in Maui County, US

Jaws is a big wave surfing break on Maui's north shore, about three miles east of Pāʻia, where swells pass over an underwater ridge and can exceed 60 feet between December and March. There is no beach: the wave breaks a few hundred feet off 100–150-foot ocean-side cliffs, and spectators watch from the Peʻahi Overlook at the end of Hahana Road.

Surfers discovered these massive waves in the mid-1970s and named the location Jaws after the famous film, referencing the unpredictability of large wave conditions. Since then, this coastal area has become a symbol of extreme water sports.

The break's nickname dates from 1975, when Maui surfers John Roberson, John Lemus and John Potterick saw conditions turn to huge, dangerous waves and named it after the film Jaws. The Hawaiian name Peʻahi means "wave" in the sense of a beckoning motion of the hand, and it was originally an ahupuaʻa, an ancient land division running from Haleakalā's northern slopes to the sea-level Peʻahi gulch.

A roughly 2.5-kilometer walk from the parking area leads to the cliffs overlooking the break, and four-wheel drive vehicles help during wet conditions. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the path is exposed to elements.

The wave's size comes from an underwater ridge whose structure scientists have studied. In 2001, South African surfer Chris Bertish became the first to paddle into the giant surf at Peʻahi rather than being towed in by jet ski.