Kaena Point
Kaena Point is Oahu's most remote and most powerful wave, accessible only by foot at the island's northwestern tip. Sometimes deemed unrideable, it represents true frontier big wave surfing at a site of deep Hawaiian spiritual significance.
Kaena Point surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (305°)
- Direction range
- 290° - 320°
- 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
15m+
Board
Gun / Step-up
Consistency
1/10
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Accessible only by hiking trail from Mokuleia or Makaha side. No road access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Kaena Point?
Kaena Point is a big-wave spot in NW Tip, Oahu, USA, with peaks that run both left and right over a reef bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 15m. It's fickle (consistency 1/10), 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 Kaena Point?
Kaena Point picks up swell from the WNW round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. 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 Kaena Point?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Kaena Point, 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 Kaena Point?
Kaena Point 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 Kaena Point?
The most reliable run of swell at Kaena Point comes Dec to Feb. Dec-Feb. Oahu's most remote, most powerful wave. Accessible only by foot.
How cold is the water at Kaena Point?
The water at Kaena Point 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 Kaena Point good for beginners?
No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Oahu's most remote, most powerful wave. Accessible only by foot. Hawaiian spiritual site.
How do I get to Kaena Point?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a one-hour drive. Accessible only by hiking trail from Mokuleia or Makaha side. No road access.
What other surf spots are near Kaena Point?
The closest breaks we track are Mokuleia (10 km), Makaha (12 km) and Chun's Reef (17 km), handy when Kaena Point isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb
Dec-Feb. Oahu's most remote, most powerful wave. Accessible only by foot.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Mokuleia
🏖️ Two miles of peaks • Uncrowded beach break • Wind-dependent
Makaha
🤙 Original big wave spot • Legendary longboard wave • Heavy localism
Chun's Reef
🏖️ Mellow North Shore • Longboard heaven • Fun and accessible
Laniakea
🐢 Turtle Beach • Fun right point • Intermediate-friendly
Himalayas
🗻 Himalayan-scale waves • Historic swells only • Frontier big wave
Haleiwa
🚪 Gateway to the North Shore • Triple Crown venue • Toilet Bowl inside