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.
Ala Moana Bowls surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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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
- 2m - 2.6m
- 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
Access: Beach access at Ala Moana Beach Park. Easy paddle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Ala Moana Bowls?
Ala Moana Bowls is a reef break in South Shore, Oahu, USA, that mostly breaks left over a reef bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 4m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What swell works best at Ala Moana Bowls?
Ala Moana Bowls picks up swell from the SSE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Ala Moana Bowls?
A N wind is dead offshore at Ala Moana Bowls, and anything from the NNW round to the ENE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Ala Moana Bowls?
Ala Moana Bowls isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf Ala Moana Bowls?
The most reliable run of swell at Ala Moana Bowls comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. May-Sep south swell season. Pipeline of Town. Man-made reef from 1950s harbor construction.
How cold is the water at Ala Moana Bowls?
The water at Ala Moana Bowls averages around 26°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Ala Moana Bowls good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 8/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. South Shore Pipeline. Long, hollow, fast lefts over shallow dredged reef. Birthplace of modern tube riding in Town.
How do I get to Ala Moana Bowls?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Beach access at Ala Moana Beach Park. Easy paddle.
What other surf spots are near Ala Moana Bowls?
The closest breaks we track are Kaisers (0.4 km), Kewalos (0.8 km) and Canoes (2.4 km), handy when Ala Moana Bowls isn't working. We track 6 spots around South Shore, Oahu in total.
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
👑 South Shore premier • Fierce pecking order • Bowly perfection
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
Plan a trip around Ala Moana Bowls
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