Canoes
Canoes is Hawaii's most iconic learner wave and the birthplace of modern surfing. Most days it's a gentle, rolling right, but when big south swells hit, the barrel section transforms from mellow to draining.
Today's Conditions
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Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
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Strike Score Breakdown
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (190°)
- Direction range
- 150° - 235°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.4m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (10°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 55°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
Water temp
26°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
2.5m+
Board
Longboard
Consistency
8/10
Difficulty
2/10
Crowd level
10/10
👥 Summer Break (Jun 15 – Aug 25) — expect extra crowds
Access: Waikiki Beach. Walk-in access from hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Canoes?
Canoes works best on a mid to high tide. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Canoes?
Offshore wind at Canoes blows from the N (10°). Anything in the 315° to 55° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Canoes?
Canoes wants S swell (150° to 235°) between 0.6m and 1.8m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Canoes?
The main season at Canoes is May-Sep. A secondary window runs Apr, Oct. May-Sep. Hawaii's most iconic learner wave. Transforms on big south swells.
How do I get to Canoes?
Fly into HNL, then allow about 10 minutes by road. Waikiki Beach. Walk-in access from hotels.
What kind of wave is Canoes?
Canoes is a reef break, a right-hander over a reef bottom. Difficulty is rated 2/10.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
May-Sep. Hawaii's most iconic learner wave. Transforms on big south swells.
Getting There
👨👩👧👦Family Travel
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