Kewalos
Kewalos is an A-frame peak that has served as the proving ground for some of Hawaii's greatest modern surfers, including Carissa Moore and Seth Moniz. The left walls up for high-performance surfing, making it a popular summer competition venue.
Kewalos 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
- 0.97×
- 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
2.5m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
6/10
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Beach access near Kewalo Basin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Kewalos?
Kewalos 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 2.5m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What swell works best at Kewalos?
Kewalos 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 Kewalos?
A N wind is dead offshore at Kewalos, 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 Kewalos?
Kewalos is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Kewalos?
The most reliable run of swell at Kewalos comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. May-Sep. A-frame peak. Hot bed for Hawaii's emerging talent.
How cold is the water at Kewalos?
The water at Kewalos 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 Kewalos good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. A-frame peak. Carissa Moore, Seth Moniz home break. Great summer comp venue.
How do I get to Kewalos?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 12-minute drive. Beach access near Kewalo Basin.
What other surf spots are near Kewalos?
The closest breaks we track are Kaisers (0.5 km), Ala Moana Bowls (0.8 km) and Canoes (3.1 km), handy when Kewalos isn't working. We track 6 spots around South Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
May-Sep. A-frame peak. Hot bed for Hawaii's emerging talent.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Kaisers
👑 South Shore premier • Fierce pecking order • Bowly perfection
Ala Moana Bowls
🏙️ Pipeline of Town • Man-made reef • South shore tubes
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 Kewalos
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.