Hawaii Surf Season Calendar — When and Where to Surf in 2026

Hawaii has two surf seasons. North-facing shores get massive winter swell from Aleutian storms. South-facing shores get smaller, warmer summer swell from Southern Hemisphere storms. **You can find waves year-round if you know where to look.** ## The short answer | Season | Where | Typical wave heights | |---|---|---| | **Winter** (October–March) | North shores: Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi | 6–25+ ft faces | | **Summer** (May–September) | South shores: Oʻahu (Waikīkī), Maui, Big Island | 2–8 ft faces | | **Shoulder seasons** (April, October) | Mixed | Variable, often surfable both sides | ## Winter — the North Shore season (Nov–Feb peak) The **Oʻahu North Shore is the most famous surf coastline in the world.** A 7-mile stretch from Haleʻiwa to Sunset Beach holds the highest-quality big waves on Earth. **Famous breaks:** - **Pipeline** (Banzai Pipeline) — most-photographed wave in the world. Hollow, deadly, ~6–15 ft. - **Sunset Beach** — long, powerful, holds the biggest waves. - **Waimea Bay** — the original big-wave spot. Only breaks when 20+ ft swells hit. - **Haleʻiwa** — the more approachable break, still expert-only. - **Backdoor / OffTheWall** — the right-breaking version of Pipeline, equally deadly. **For visitors who don't surf big waves:** the **viewing** is the activity. Drive Kamehameha Highway between November and February. You'll see surfers riding waves taller than two-story buildings, often only 50 feet from the beach. ### Big-wave contests (Nov–Feb) - **Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational** — only runs in 20+ ft conditions, sometimes years between contests. The biggest big-wave event in surfing. - **Vans Triple Crown of Surfing** — November/December, three contests across Haleʻiwa, Sunset, Pipeline. - **Pipeline Pro / Volcom Pipe Pro** — January/February. [See current Hawaii surf events →](/events?category=sports) ## Summer — the South Shore season (May–Aug peak) The South Shore swell is **smaller, warmer, and more forgiving**. Waikīkī's Canoes, Queens, and Populars breaks are world-famous for beginner-to-intermediate surfing. **Famous south-shore breaks:** - **Waikīkī Canoes / Queens / Populars** — beginner-friendly, soft sandy bottom, lessons everywhere - **Ala Moana Bowls** — left-breaking summer wave, advanced - **Diamond Head Cliffs** — advanced, exposed to wind - **Mākaha** (west side) — long-board friendly, sometimes summer south swell, sometimes winter north ### Summer contests - **The Eddie's Sister Event — Duke Kahanamoku Beach Challenge** (August, Waikīkī) - **Lifeguard Tournaments** across O'ahu beaches. ## Lessons + rentals **Best places for beginners:** - Waikīkī Beach (Canoes, Queens) — flat, sandy, 5–10 surf school options on the beach - Poʻipū Beach (Kauaʻi south) — beginner-friendly summer waves - Lahaina Breakwall (Maui) — gentle, predictable summer waves **Lesson cost:** $80–150 for a 90-min group lesson, $200+ for private. ## Watching, not surfing You don't have to surf to enjoy Hawaii's surf season. The north shore in December is a free spectacle that rivals anything on the islands. **Best viewing spots (winter):** - **Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park, North Shore)** — closest you can get to Pipeline. Free. - **Sunset Beach lookout** — best place for the bigger swell days. - **Waimea Bay** — wide cove, easy to see from shore. **Best viewing (summer):** - **Magic Island / Ala Moana** — south swell roll-ins - **Walls in Waikīkī** — front row to Canoes / Queens / Populars ## Surf safety + locals Hawaii surf — especially the North Shore — kills people every year. **Don't paddle out somewhere you don't belong.** Lifeguards will warn you. Locals have right-of-way at every break in the islands. Respect the lineup. Forecast resources: - **Surfline.com** — paid but accurate - **NOAA Marine Forecast Hawaii** — free - **HawaiiNewsNow surf report** — local ## See current Hawaii surf events + ocean activities **[Browse all surf + ocean events →](/events)** **[Best Snorkeling Spots in Hawaii →](/blog/best-snorkeling-spots-hawaii-2026)** **[12 Hidden Beaches in Hawaii →](/blog/hidden-beaches-hawaii-2026)**