Dawn patrol surfing in Waimea

Waimea, Hawaii

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in Waimea means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 3 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

6:14 AM
First Light: 5:44 AM

Day length: 12h 3m

-1 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

6:14 AM

First light: 5:44 AM

Sunset

6:17 PM

Last light: 6:47 PM

Data from Hapuna Beach (Kohala) · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

6:14 AM

Sunset

6:17 PM

Day Length

12h 3m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

6:14 AM

Sunset

6:16 PM

Day Length

12h 2m

Tue, Sep 29

Sunrise

6:14 AM

Sunset

6:15 PM

Day Length

12h 1m

Wed, Sep 30

Sunrise

6:14 AM

Sunset

6:14 PM

Day Length

12h 0m

Thu, Oct 1

Sunrise

6:15 AM

Sunset

6:13 PM

Day Length

11h 59m

Fri, Oct 2

Sunrise

6:15 AM

Sunset

6:12 PM

Day Length

11h 58m

Sat, Oct 3

Sunrise

6:15 AM

Sunset

6:12 PM

Day Length

11h 56m

Best dawn patrol spots in Waimea

Dawn patrol access guide for Waimea

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Hapuna Beach (Kohala)
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.3(3)

Hapuna Beach (Kohala) is a beach break in Waimea, HI. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents.

A crescent of white sand at Kaunaʻoa Bay beside Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Early access

Request a public beach parking pass at the resort entrance; spaces are limited.

Pakala, also known as Infinities, is a long left-hand point break on Kauaʻi's west side near Kekaha. On summer south swells the wave peels for hundreds of meters over a shallow coral reef, making it a dream for goofy-footers who can handle the long paddle and occasional strong currents. The vibe is mellow but respect the local surfers and watch for sea urchins in the channel.

Early access

Follow the footpath through the trees to the shoreline and paddle out from the small beach; the paddle to the lineup is long, so conserve energy.

Parking

Park off the highway on the dirt shoulder near the coconut grove; keep valuables hidden and be aware of soft sand.

Dawn patrol tips

  • Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
  • Less crowded lineups at sunrise
  • East-facing beaches for sunrise views
  • Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for Waimea

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Waimea

Dawn patrol in Waimea typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

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