North Shore Oahu surf forecast

Surfing in North Shore Oahu

The North Shore of Oahu is the stretch of coast between Haleiwa and Sunset Beach, often called the Seven Mile Miracle. It faces north and north-west into the open North Pacific, so it lights up when winter storms in the Aleutians and around Japan send long-period groundswell south. The broad surf season runs from about October to April, with the heaviest and most frequent swells usually between November and March. In summer the coast is often flat or close to it, and the same beaches become calm places to swim and snorkel.

Swell angle matters as much as size. North and north-north-west swells suit the north-facing reefs such as Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay, while Laniakea, a right-hand point over flat reef near Haleiwa, is at its longest on more northerly swells. Pipeline breaks over shallow lava reef ledges a short paddle from Ehukai Beach Park and works best on a west-north-west to north-west swell. Waimea Bay only starts breaking properly on very large swells. Trade winds from the north-east blow offshore or cross-shore along much of this coast, which helps keep it clean.

Every spot listed here is a reef or point for experienced surfers only. The reef can sit just a few feet under the surface, currents are strong, and in peak season the line-ups are crowded and tightly organised, so newcomers should watch for a while and respect local priority. Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay and Ehukai have lifeguards; check with them before going in. The coast is about an hour's drive from Honolulu along the Kamehameha Highway, which jams on big swell days.