Himalayas
Himalayas is a massive outer reef off Haleiwa that only breaks on historic, once-in-a-decade swells. Named for the Himalayan scale of the waves it produces, this is true frontier big wave surfing—tow-in only, rarely crowded, and deeply consequential.
Himalayas surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today'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 Himalayas 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
- NNW (330°)
- Direction range
- 310° - 350°
- Size range
- 6.1m - 12.2m
- Ideal size
- 7.9m - 9.7m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 20s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 100° - 180°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
18m+
Board
Gun / Step-up
Consistency
1/10
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Tow-in only. Accessible by jet ski from Haleiwa Harbor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Himalayas?
The Himalayas profile does not specify a preferred tide stage. That does not mean tide has no effect: check local conditions alongside swell and wind.
What wind direction is offshore at Himalayas?
The Himalayas profile uses wind from SE (135°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 100° to 180°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at Himalayas?
The Himalayas scoring profile favors swell from NNW (310° to 350°), a swell-height range of 6.1m to 12.2m, and a reference period of 20s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf Himalayas?
The main season at Himalayas is Dec, Jan, Feb. Dec-Feb. Only breaks on historic swells. Tow-in territory.
How do I get to Himalayas?
The spot profile lists HNL as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 50 minutes. A boat transfer is also required. The profile estimates $200 USD; confirm the current price and departure point with an operator. Tow-in only. Accessible by jet ski from Haleiwa Harbor.
What kind of wave is Himalayas?
Himalayas is a big wave break, a peak with lefts and rights over a reef bottom. Difficulty is rated 10/10.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb
Dec-Feb. Only breaks on historic swells. Tow-in territory.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Chun's Reef
🏖️ Mellow North Shore • Longboard heaven • Fun and accessible
Laniakea
🐢 Turtle Beach • Fun right point • Intermediate-friendly
Haleiwa
🚪 Gateway to the North Shore • Triple Crown venue • Toilet Bowl inside
Avalanche
🏔️ Haleiwa's outer reef • Deep water power • Big swell handler
Leftovers
🤫 North Shore sleeper • World-class potential • Empty on the right day
Waimea Bay
🤙 Birthplace of big wave surfing • Eddie Would Go • 15ft+ to fire
Plan a trip around Himalayas
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.