Best Honolulu surf window today: tide and conditions

Honolulu's best surf window today is 11:30 PM-12:30 AM, with falling tide, 17 mph wind, and 5.7 ft swell; incoming tide, cross-shore winds, good swell angle. Ala Moana Bowls is the top pick at 5.7 ft.

Live surf planning

Plan around the live conditions

Best time to surf Honolulu this week

August rates 86/100 for Honolulu. 10 of 12 local beaches are in peak season; June is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.

Match the surf report

Falling tide, 17 mph wind, and 5.7 ft swell are the live surf report cues to confirm first.

Check today's Ala Moana Bowls surf report
0
Perfect

Seasonal pattern in August

August

10 of 12 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 3-6 ft waves and 80°F water. Peak month: June.

Next steps

Turn Honolulu's season guide into today's surf call

The calendar shows when this zone usually works. Start with the live report before you load boards.

Surf Score by Month

Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.

Monthly Breakdown

January

Peak
0
Waves8-15 ft
Water temp75°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1

Peak north shore season, big waves

February

Peak
0
Waves6-12 ft
Water temp74°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1

Consistent north swells, contests

March

0
Waves4-8 ft
Water temp75°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1

Transitional swells, fewer crowds

April

0
Waves2-5 ft
Water temp76°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking10

Small days, exploring outer reefs

May

0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp77°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking10

South shore waking up, town surf

June

0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp78°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking10

South shore swells, warm water

July

0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp79°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking10

Peak south shore, Waikiki season

August

0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking10

South swells, warmest water

September

0
Waves2-5 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking10

Transition month, some south swells

October

0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp79°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking6

Early north swells, low crowds

November

Peak
0
Waves6-12 ft
Water temp77°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1

North shore fires up, Triple Crown

December

Peak
0
Waves8-15 ft
Water temp76°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1

Peak north shore, Pipe Masters

Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions

Dawn Patrol

  • Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
  • Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
  • Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (75°F in winter)
  • Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Honolulu

Afternoon Sessions

  • Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
  • Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
  • Water warms through the day — upper end (80°F in summer)
  • Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down

Top Surf Spots in Honolulu

Ala Moana Bowls
advancedcrowded

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Diamond Head (Cliffs)
intermediatemoderate

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Kaisers
advancedhigh

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Kewalo Basin
intermediate-advancedhigh

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Pops
lower-intermediatemoderate

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Publics
intermediatehigh

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Sandy Beach
upper-intermediatemoderate

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Threes
intermediatehigh

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Waikiki – Canoes
beginnercrowded

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Waikiki – Queens
lower-intermediatecrowded

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Surf Guides for Honolulu, HI