Best Kailua-Kona surf window today: tide and conditions
Kailua-Kona's best surf window today is 2:30 PM-3:30 PM, with falling tide, 5 mph wind, and 5.5 ft swell; tide in range, light winds, good swell angle. Kamakahonu Beach is the top pick at 5.4 ft.
Live surf planning
Plan around the live conditions
Best time to surf Kailua-Kona this week
September rates 45/100 for Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona is between peak-season windows; December is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.
Match the surf report
Now: rising tide, 3 mph wind, and 7.1 ft swell. Confirm them in the live surf report first.
Seasonal pattern in September
September
Kailua-Kona is between peak seasons right now. Expect 2-5 ft waves and 80°F water. Peak month: December.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
PeakPeak north shore season, big waves
February
PeakConsistent north swells, contests
March
Transitional swells, fewer crowds
April
Small days, exploring outer reefs
May
South shore waking up, town surf
June
South shore swells, warm water
July
Peak south shore, Waikiki season
August
South swells, warmest water
September
Transition month, some south swells
October
Early north swells, low crowds
November
PeakNorth shore fires up, Triple Crown
December
PeakPeak 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 Kailua-Kona
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
