Avalanche
Avalanche is a deepwater outer reef near Haleiwa that handles massive swells when the nearshore breaks max out. It offers big wave left-handers in relatively deep water.
Avalanche surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to HNL, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Hawaii is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Hawaii — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Avalanche trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 290° - 345°
- Size range
- 4.6m - 9.1m
- Ideal size
- 5.9m - 7.3m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 180°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
12m+
Board
Gun / Step-up
Consistency
2/10
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Paddle or tow-in from Haleiwa area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Avalanche?
Avalanche is a big-wave spot in North Shore, Oahu, USA, that mostly breaks left over a reef bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 12m. It's fickle (consistency 2/10), so it's worth jumping on when it does turn on. A step-up or gun is the usual call.
What swell works best at Avalanche?
Avalanche picks up swell from the WNW round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 4.6m and keeps going up to about 9.1m, with the sweet spot around 5.9 to 7.3m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 14s 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 Avalanche?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Avalanche, and anything from the E round to the S keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Avalanche?
Avalanche 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 Avalanche?
The most reliable run of swell at Avalanche comes Nov to Feb. Nov-Feb. Deepwater outer reef near Haleiwa. Handles massive swells.
How cold is the water at Avalanche?
The water at Avalanche averages around 25°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Avalanche good for beginners?
No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Deepwater outer reef near Haleiwa. Handles massive swells.
How do I get to Avalanche?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 50-minute drive. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $150 USD, but confirm with an operator). Paddle or tow-in from Haleiwa area.
What other surf spots are near Avalanche?
The closest breaks we track are Haleiwa (0.8 km), Laniakea (1.5 km) and Chun's Reef (1.8 km), handy when Avalanche isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Nov-Feb. Deepwater outer reef near Haleiwa. Handles massive swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Haleiwa
🚪 Gateway to the North Shore • Triple Crown venue • Toilet Bowl inside
Laniakea
🐢 Turtle Beach • Fun right point • Intermediate-friendly
Chun's Reef
🏖️ Mellow North Shore • Longboard heaven • Fun and accessible
Himalayas
🗻 Himalayan-scale waves • Historic swells only • Frontier big wave
Leftovers
🤫 North Shore sleeper • World-class potential • Empty on the right day
Waimea Bay
🤙 Big wave history • Eddie Would Go • 15ft+ to fire