Kaisers
Kaisers is the premier South Shore performance wave—a bowly, hollow right that empties into a deep channel with a left going over shallow reef. The fierce pecking order among locals makes this one of the more intimidating lineups in Honolulu.
Kaisers surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (190°)
- Direction range
- 155° - 225°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.3m - 1.6m
- Height multiplier
- 1.03×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (10°)
- Offshore range
- 340° - 55°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
26°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
3m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
6/10
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
8/10
Access: Paddle from Ala Moana Beach Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Kaisers?
Kaisers is a reef break in South Shore, Oahu, USA, with peaks that run both left and 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 Kaisers?
Kaisers picks up swell from the SSE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 1.8m, with the sweet spot around 1.3 to 1.6m. 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 Kaisers?
A N wind is dead offshore at Kaisers, and anything from the NNW round to the NE 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 Kaisers?
Kaisers is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Kaisers?
The most reliable run of swell at Kaisers comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. May-Sep. Bowly hollow right empties into channel, left goes over shallow reef.
How cold is the water at Kaisers?
The water at Kaisers averages around 26°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Kaisers good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 8/10), so mind the pecking order. Bowly hollow right empties into channel. Fierce pecking order. Best at 3-5ft SW swell.
How do I get to Kaisers?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Paddle from Ala Moana Beach Park.
What other surf spots are near Kaisers?
The closest breaks we track are Ala Moana Bowls (0.4 km), Kewalos (0.5 km) and Canoes (2.6 km), handy when Kaisers isn't working. We track 6 spots around South Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
May-Sep. Bowly hollow right empties into channel, left goes over shallow reef.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Ala Moana Bowls
🏙️ Pipeline of Town • Man-made reef • South shore tubes
Kewalos
🏆 Carissa & Seth's home break • A-frame comp wave • Talent factory
Canoes
🏄 Birthplace of modern surfing • Waikiki icon • Mellow to draining
Three's
3️⃣ Fast hollow rights • S-SE swell magnet • All levels welcome
Queen's
👑 Queen Liliuokalani's wave • Historic royalty • Transforms on south swells
Publics
🌊 Longest left in Town • Always crowded • Diamond Head classic
Plan a trip around Kaisers
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.