Best Time to Surf in Waikīkī: Hawaii Surf 101
The best time to surf in Waikiki can be tough to figure out. In fact, the best time to surf ANYWHERE can be tough to figure out. Maybe you’re heading to Waikīkī—or maybe you’re already here, sipping something cold and pineapple-garnished under a palm tree—and you’ve got one question stuck in your sun-dazed mind:
“When’s the best time to surf this place?”
Short answer? Almost always.
Long answer? Well…
See, Waikiki isn’t your typical surf destination where you wait all year for one epic swell window. Nope. It’s blessed with year-round rideable waves, sunshine that rarely quits, and water that stays bathtub-warm even when the rest of the world’s bundling up. But if you want to score the best conditions—cleanest waves, lightest winds, smallest crowds, most stoke—the you gotta know how the seasons to know the best time to surf in Waikiki
The Best Time to Surf in Waikiki: Know the Seasons
May to September
Let’s just call it what it is—summer is prime time and the best time to surf in Waikiki. The south swells roll in with perfect rhythm, the trade winds do their thing (most of the time), and the ocean throws out the kind of waves you daydream about when you're stuck in traffic or stuck in Zoom meetings.
During these months, Waikiki becomes a south swell magnet. Those swells travel all the way from the Southern Hemisphere, powered by storms near New Zealand and Tahiti. By the time they reach Oʻahu’s southern shores, they’ve mellowed out into long-period, rolling waves that are practically begging to be longboarded.
Why Summer:
Consistent surf: There’s almost always something rideable, from waist-high peelers to chest-high glass.
Epic longboarding: This is the time for Canoes, Queen’s, and Pop’s. You’ll see locals just styling for hours out there.
Warm water: Like, no-suit, surf-until-sunset warm.
Sunsets after surf: Golden hour hits different when your hair’s still salty and your board’s tucked under your arm.
The only downside? Summer’s not a secret. The beach is busy, the lineups can get crowded, and parking can feel like a competitive sport. But if you’re chill, patient, and maybe paddle out early, you’ll still score waves—and probably make a few friends along the way.
Shoulder Seasons: April & October
You want sneaky good? You want uncrowded perfection?
April and October are where the real magic hides.
These months live in that delicious in-between space. You still get those southern swells from the tail ends of summer, and you start to catch the early hints of north swells bending around the island. The weather’s still warm (obviously), but there’s a noticeable drop in the number of tourists. Kids are in school, the beaches are quieter, and the ocean feels… less rushed.
Why Shoulder Season:
Less crowded
Still warm: No wetsuit necessary.
Mellow swells: Not too big, not too flat—just right for improving your game or staying in flow state.
Winter: November to March
Now here’s where it gets interesting.
When winter hits the North Shore with monster swells and triple-overhead madness, Waikiki does a little shuffle of its own. It’s not technically the surf season for the south shore, but that doesn’t mean it’s flat. In fact, some of the cleanest, most user-friendly waves happen in winter. They’re just sneakier.
What You’ll Get in Winter:
Smaller, cleaner days: Winter’s got long stretches of knee- to waist-high waves—perfect for learning, mellow sessions, and cruisey logging.
Wrap-around north swells: Every now and then, a solid North Shore swell will bend around the island just right and light up certain south-facing reefs in Waikīkī. It’s rare. It’s beautiful. It’s worth checking the charts.
Less crowded (ish): Depends on the day. But with the spotlight on the North Shore, a lot of local rippers are upcountry, leaving Waikiki a little more mellow.
Winds can be a wildcard during these months. You’ll want to surf early mornings before the trades pick up and turn things choppy.
So, When’s the Best Time for Waikiki Surfing?
If we’re talking best of the best—like “drop everything and book a flight” kind of good—I’d say June or July, first light, Queen’s or Canoes, waist-high on the sets, no wind, and a board that glides like butter.
But really? The best time to surf in Waikiki is whenever you can.
Final Tips for Surfing Waikiki
Respect the lineup. Wait your turn, smile, don’t snake. You’ll catch more waves that way.
Check the forecast. Use sites like Surfline or MagicSeaweed to see what’s coming.
Rent the right board. Longboards rule Waikiki. Don’t fight it. Embrace it.
Use reef-safe sunscreen. Protect your skin and the ocean.
Stay stoked. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s crowded. You’re surfing. In Hawaiʻi.
Now that you know the best time to surf in Waikiki, go get wet. For everything from lessons to gear make sure to reach out to Big Wave Dave’s.