Hapuna Beach (Kohala)
3.3(3)beach
beginner-intermediate
Hapuna Beach (Kohala) is a beach break in Waimea, HI. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents.
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
6:31 AMFirst Light: 6:01 AM
Day length: 11h 15m
-1 min vs yesterday
Sunrise
6:31 AM
First light: 6:01 AM
Sunset
5:46 PM
Last light: 6:16 PM
Data from Hapuna Beach (Kohala) · Updated daily
7-Day Sun Schedule
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today(Today) | 6:31 AM | 5:46 PM | 11h 15m |
| Tomorrow | 6:31 AM | 5:45 PM | 11h 14m |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 6:32 AM | 5:45 PM | 11h 13m |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 6:33 AM | 5:45 PM | 11h 12m |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 6:33 AM | 5:45 PM | 11h 11m |
| Mon, Nov 16 | 6:34 AM | 5:44 PM | 11h 11m |
Today(Today)
Sunrise
6:31 AM
Sunset
5:46 PM
Day Length
11h 15m
Tomorrow
Sunrise
6:31 AM
Sunset
5:45 PM
Day Length
11h 14m
Fri, Nov 13
Sunrise
6:32 AM
Sunset
5:45 PM
Day Length
11h 13m
Sat, Nov 14
Sunrise
6:33 AM
Sunset
5:45 PM
Day Length
11h 12m
Sun, Nov 15
Sunrise
6:33 AM
Sunset
5:45 PM
Day Length
11h 11m
Mon, Nov 16
Sunrise
6:34 AM
Sunset
5:44 PM
Day Length
11h 11m
Best dawn patrol spots in Waimea
Featured Beaches
3 spots
Hapuna Beach (Kohala)
Beginner friendlyHapuna Beach (Kohala) is a beach break in Waimea, HI. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents.
Kaunaoa Beach
IntermediateA crescent of white sand at Kaunaʻoa Bay beside Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
Kekaha / Pakala (Infinities)
IntermediatePakala, 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.
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Featured Beaches(3)
Dawn patrol access guide for Waimea
Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.
Kaunaoa Beach
beach
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.
Kekaha / Pakala (Infinities)
point
intermediate
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
Conditions
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.
