Ala Moana Bowls
Ala Moana Bowls is the Pipeline of Town—long, hollow, fast lefts over a shallow man-made reef created during 1950s harbor construction. When solid south swells arrive, it produces draining barrels that rival anything on the North Shore for intensity.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (190°)
- Direction range
- 160° - 220°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (10°)
- Offshore range
- 340° - 60°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
26°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
4m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
6/10
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
7/10
👥 Summer Break (Jun 15 – Aug 25) — expect extra crowds
Access: Beach access at Ala Moana Beach Park. Easy paddle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Ala Moana Bowls?
Ala Moana Bowls handles all stages of the tide, so time your session around the wind instead. The live chart above shows the next few days.
What wind direction is offshore at Ala Moana Bowls?
Offshore wind at Ala Moana Bowls blows from the N (10°). Anything in the 340° to 60° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Ala Moana Bowls?
Ala Moana Bowls wants S swell (160° to 220°) between 1.2m and 3m, with a period of 16s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Ala Moana Bowls?
The main season at Ala Moana Bowls is May-Sep. A secondary window runs Apr, Oct. May-Sep south swell season. Pipeline of Town. Man-made reef from 1950s harbor construction.
How do I get to Ala Moana Bowls?
Fly into HNL, then allow about 15 minutes by road. Beach access at Ala Moana Beach Park. Easy paddle.
What kind of wave is Ala Moana Bowls?
Ala Moana Bowls is a reef break, a left-hander over a reef bottom. Difficulty is rated 8/10.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
May-Sep south swell season. Pipeline of Town. Man-made reef from 1950s harbor construction.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Kaisers
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Kewalos
🏆 Carissa & Seth's home break • A-frame comp wave • Talent factory
Canoes
🏄 Birthplace of modern surfing • Waikiki icon • Mellow to draining
Three's
3️⃣ Fast hollow rights • S-SE swell magnet • All levels welcome
Queen's
👑 Queen Liliuokalani's wave • Historic royalty • Transforms on south swells
Publics
🌊 Longest left in Town • Always crowded • Diamond Head classic