Hideaways
Hideaways is an exposed reef break in Princeville that produces hollow A-frames on NW swell. Limited to 10 parking spots and accessed by a steep trail, it rewards the effort with very little crowd and quality waves over sharp reef.
Hideaways surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Direction range
- 320° - 30°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (157°)
- Offshore range
- 120° - 200°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
3m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
5/10
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Steep trail from Princeville. Very limited parking (10 spots).
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Hideaways?
Hideaways is a reef break in North Shore, Kauai, USA, that mostly breaks right over a reef bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 3m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What swell works best at Hideaways?
Hideaways picks up swell from the NW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Hideaways?
A SSE wind is dead offshore at Hideaways, and anything from the ESE round to the SSW 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 Hideaways?
Hideaways is at its best around mid tide. Below 0.3m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Hideaways?
The most reliable run of swell at Hideaways comes Nov to Mar. Nov-Mar. In Princeville. Exposed reef break with hollow A-frames on NW swell.
How cold is the water at Hideaways?
The water at Hideaways 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 Hideaways good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Limited parking (10 spots). Sharp reef, especially on low tide. Steep trail access.
How do I get to Hideaways?
The nearest airport on our list is LIH, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Steep trail from Princeville. Very limited parking (10 spots).
What other surf spots are near Hideaways?
The closest breaks we track are Hanalei Point (1.9 km), Waikoko's (2.7 km) and Tunnels (6.6 km), handy when Hideaways isn't working. We track 5 spots around North Shore, Kauai in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Nov-Mar. In Princeville. Exposed reef break with hollow A-frames on NW swell.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Hanalei Point
🏄 Irons brothers' proving ground • 300-yard rights • Multiple peaks
Waikoko's
🌴 Hanalei Bay's hidden left • Fickle but beautiful • Secluded
Tunnels
🏔️ Na Pali backdrop • Deep barrel tubes • Crystal clear water
Cannons
💣 Tunnels' twin left • Equally hollow • Breathtaking setting
Polihale
🏝️ End of the road • Empty epic peaks • Na Pali power
Pakala
♾️ Infinities • 200-yard lefts • Kauai's hidden gem