Surfing Pine Trees: The Complete Guide

Pine Trees is a reef break located in Kona Coast, Big Island, USA (HI), offering a left-hander along North America's diverse surf scene. Pine Trees (Kohanaiki) is the most consistent break on the Kona coast, with multiple peaks that work on a wide range of swell directions. Rated as intermediate difficulty with moderately 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 WNW (290°), with workable conditions from SSW to NW (200°–320°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Pine Trees needs a minimum of 0.9m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.4m / 8ft 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 ENE (70°). The full offshore range spans N to E (10°–100°). 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 all tides.

When to Go

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

Season Notes: Nov-Mar. Most consistent break on the Kona coast. Left usually better.

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 KOA, just a quick 15-minute drive from the break.

Access: Beach access. Local favorite.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents
👊 Localism — Heavy local enforcement

Multiple peaks, most consistent break on the Kona coast. Shallow reef, strong currents on bigger days.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy
Respect the lineup, wait your turn, and be friendly. A little humility goes a long way

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (5/10). Crowd Level: Typically moderately crowded (5/10). Recommended board: a performance shortboard.

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Pine Trees? 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 Pine Trees is firing.

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