When is surfing season in Hawaii? Let’s start out with a simple answer, and go into the deets after: You can surf year-round in Hawaii. But if you’re planning a trip—or a full-blown pilgrimage—to the Aloha State and want to know when surfing is at its peak, you’ll want to pay attention to surf seasons.
Let’s break it down.

When is Surfing Season in Hawaii: Always On, But Not Always the Same

Let’s start with the big picture: Hawaii doesn’t really have an off-season for surfing.

Hawaii’s surf seasons aren’t tied to school holidays or airline pricing—they’re tied to swells.

So if you’re wondering when to come surf (or spectate), the real question is:

Do you want big, powerful, dramatic waves—or gentle, beginner-friendly rollers?

Let’s dive into the seasons.

Winter Surf Season (November–March): The North Shore Comes Alive

Best for: Advanced surfers, pro contests, jaw-dropping wave watching.

When asking an advanced or pro level surfer the question, “when is surfing season in Hawaii”, you’ll probably hear them answer “Winter”. Winter in Hawaii is like awards season for surfers. The North Shore of Oʻahu, especially, becomes the epicenter of the surfing universe. Names like Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach dominate the surf forecast—and not metaphorically. We’re talking literal 20–30 foot waves (that’s 40–60 feet on the faces). These aren’t waves you ride. These are waves that ride you, if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Why does this happen? Winter storms in the North Pacific generate massive swells that crash into

Hawaii’s north and northwest shores. The result is dramatic, powerful surf that’s perfect for the pros—and mesmerizing to watch if you prefer your surfing with both feet on the sand.

Surf tip:

Even if you’re not ready to paddle into a Pipeline barrel (and honestly, most people shouldn’t be), watching winter surf is a must-do.

Summer Surf Season (May–September): South Shore Playground

Best for: Beginners, longboarders, Waikiki vibes.

Come summer, the surf spotlight swings south. Storms in the Southern Hemisphere send swells to Hawaii’s south-facing shores—think Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kewalos, and beyond. These waves are generally smaller, slower, and far friendlier to humans who like their ocean experience with a little less “might get thrown into the reef” energy.

This is classic Waikiki surf season. It’s when longboards glide, surf lessons thrive, and the lineup is filled with a mix of locals, tourists, and kids catching their first wave.

Surf tip:

If you’ve never surfed before, summer is your time–there ain’t no better season to take a lesson with a local surf school like Big Wave Dave. You’ll fall in love with the rhythm of it all: paddle, pop up, glide, fall, laugh, repeat.

Shoulder Seasons: Spring and Fall (April, October)

Best for: Intermediate surfers, fewer crowds, mix of wave sizes.

Ah, the in-between times. Not quite summer, not quite winter, but still totally surfable. Spring and fall in Hawaii are what the pros might call “transitional” seasons. You’ll often get smaller versions of the big winter swells, or early summer pulses from the south, making this a sweet spot for intermediate surfers looking to avoid the chaos of peak season.

Bonus: the crowds are thinner, prices are often better, and the weather is still perfect (as it basically always is in Hawaii).

Surf tip:

If you’re planning a trip around flexibility and want to hedge your bets for both mellow and challenging waves, go in late April or early October. You’ll get a mix of both worlds—and more room to move in the lineup.

Want to Learn to Surf? Big Wave Dave’s Got You

Let’s say you’ve checked the season, booked your flight, and now you’re wondering how to catch your first wave without face-planting into someone’s GoPro.

The answer is Big Wave Dave.

Based in Waikiki, Dave’s crew offers lessons for every level, taught by locals who blend expert instruction with good vibes. No ego, just real-deal knowledge, contagious stoke, and a few wipeouts you’ll laugh about for years.

They’ll not only teach you how to paddle, pop up, and ride—they’ll show you how to do it with aloha. Because surfing isn’t just about technique. It’s about connection. To the ocean, to the people, and maybe even to the version of yourself that always wanted to surf but never had the chance.

Now’s your chance.

So, when is surfing season in Hawaii?

It’s always on—but the kind of waves (and the kind of surf story you want to write) depends on the time of year.

And any season can bring a wave that changes your life.

When Is Surfing Season in Hawaii?