Surfing Leftovers: The Complete Guide

Leftovers is a reef break located in North Shore, Oahu, USA (HI), offering both lefts and rights along North America's diverse surf scene. Leftovers sits between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay, catching leftover swell that bends around the point. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is NW (305°), with workable conditions from WNW to NW (290°–320°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Leftovers needs a minimum of 1.2m / 4ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the SE (135°). The full offshore range spans E to S (100°–170°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Leftovers runs November, December, January, February (Nov–Feb). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens October, March (Oct–Mar). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Nov-Feb. Haleiwa-side of Waimea. Can be world-class and empty on the right day.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 25°C / 77°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is HNL, roughly 50 minutes by car.

Access: Beach access.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Multiple peaks, powerful walls. Catches leftover swell.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (7/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10). Recommended board: a performance shortboard.

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Leftovers? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Leftovers is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*