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Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Waimea Bay. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Barely any swell. Not much to work with today. Mid-period swell giving the waves decent shape and push. Heavy offshore making for difficult paddle-outs but textbook faces. Not enough swell to get this spot firing properly.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Waimea Bay is a legendary big-wave arena situated on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The bathymetric profile features a sudden, dramatic depth transition where deep ocean swells hit an abruptly sloping volcanic rock and sand shelf. As colossal north-westerly winter groundswells travel unimpeded across the deep Pacific Ocean, they collide with this shelf, forcing the water to jack into a massive, plunging A-frame. An easterly trade wind provides the ideal offshore flow, grooming the gigantic faces. The wave mechanics require a highly critical, steep take-off that transitions immediately into a fast, heavy drop with severe hydraulic force. Due to the extreme volume of moving water, brutal hold-downs, and a punishing shorebreak, it leaves zero margin for error. The intense pace of the wave demands rapid reflexes to negotiate the drop before the sheer weight of the lip detonates on the shallow inside bank. Consequently, Waimea Bay is strictly reserved for elite, advanced surfers possessing big-wave experience, specialised heavy-water equipment, and supreme cardiovascular fitness.
Heads up: jellyfish: peak season, and rocks exposed at low tide.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 60% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Noticeably cleaner air than a typical city. Good conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:24
Crystal clear water: ~27m visibility
High sediment levels, possible runoff or storm disturbance
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Waimea Bay
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Waimea Bay is the week of 30 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Waimea Bay is the birthplace of big-wave surfing, a legendary arena on Oahu's North Shore where massive winter swells detonate on a volcanic rock and sand shelf. When the bay is breaking, the sheer volume and power of the water is awe-inspiring. The wave produces a towering, steep-faced A-frame that demands absolute commitment on the drop. During summer, the bay transforms into a calm, placid swimming hole, betraying nothing of the winter violence. This is hallowed ground in surfing history.
Waimea only activates when North Pacific winter swells exceed 15ft on the face, typically between November and February. The bay needs genuine size to properly break; anything under 12ft passes through without detonating on the shelf. The biggest days produce waves of 25-40ft. Easterly trade winds provide offshore conditions. The wave breaks best on a mid-tide with moderate water depth over the rock shelf.
The take-off zone shifts depending on swell size. On moderate days (15-20ft), the peak sits over the inside rock shelf. On bigger days, it shifts further out into deeper water. Position yourself just beyond where the biggest sets are breaking and wait. The drop is steep and fast, requiring immediate acceleration to outrun the lip. The deep-water channel on the west side of the bay provides the paddle-out route and safety zone.
Everything about Waimea is dangerous at size. The hydraulic force of the breaking wave produces violent, extended hold-downs. The shorebreak at the back of the bay is brutal and has caused spinal injuries. The rock shelf is unforgiving on wipeouts. Strong currents sweep across the bay during big swells. Jet-ski safety teams operate during major swells. Do not paddle out unless you have specific big-wave experience, fitness, and equipment.
A beach park with car parking sits directly at the bay. Parking fills rapidly on big swell days, often by dawn. Street parking along Kamehameha Highway fills next. The beach is directly accessible from the park. During major swells, thousands of spectators line the beach and road.
On big days, the line-up is reserved for experienced big-wave surfers, typically 15-30 in the water. The hierarchy is well-established and enforced. Do not paddle out if you are not genuinely prepared for the consequences. On smaller days (12-18ft), the crowd expands but remains composed of highly competent surfers. The spectator crowd on shore can number in the thousands.
Waimea is not a wave you work up to during a holiday. It requires specific preparation: big-wave gun (9'0"+), inflation vest, leash rated for the size, and extensive breath-hold training. The drop is steeper and faster than it appears from shore. Study the wave extensively from the beach before committing. The rock called 'The Rock' in the centre of the bay serves as a reference point for positioning. Jumping off The Rock into the bay is a local tradition on calm summer days.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Waimea Bay tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 5/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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