Best Time to Surf Paia (2026)
Paia, Hawaii — Month-by-month surf guide
0
Perfect
Surfing in April
April
1 of 1 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 2-5 ft waves and 76°F water. Peak month: November.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
Peak0
Waves8-15 ft
Water temp75°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1
Peak north shore season, big waves
February
Peak0
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 peaking1
Small days, exploring outer reefs
May
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp77°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
South shore waking up, town surf
June
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp78°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
South shore swells, warm water
July
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp79°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1
Peak south shore, Waikiki season
August
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1
South swells, warmest water
September
0
Waves2-5 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
Transition month, some south swells
October
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp79°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Early north swells, low crowds
November
Peak0
Waves6-12 ft
Water temp77°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
North shore fires up, Triple Crown
December
Peak0
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 Paia
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 Paia
Ho'okipa
advancedmoderate
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec