Leftovers
Leftovers sits between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay, catching leftover swell that bends around the point. On the right day, it can deliver world-class waves with barely anyone out—one of the North Shore's best-kept open secrets.
Leftovers 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
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 100° - 170°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
4m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
6/10
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Beach access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Leftovers?
Leftovers is a reef break in North 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 4m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What swell works best at Leftovers?
Leftovers 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 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. 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 Leftovers?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Leftovers, and anything from the E round to the S 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 Leftovers?
Leftovers is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Leftovers?
The most reliable run of swell at Leftovers comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Nov-Feb. Haleiwa-side of Waimea. Can be world-class and empty on the right day.
How cold is the water at Leftovers?
The water at Leftovers 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 Leftovers good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Multiple peaks, powerful walls. Catches leftover swell.
How do I get to Leftovers?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 50-minute drive. Beach access.
What other surf spots are near Leftovers?
The closest breaks we track are Waimea Bay (0.6 km), Pupukea (3.1 km) and Rocky Point (3.2 km), handy when Leftovers isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Oct, Mar
Nov-Feb. Haleiwa-side of Waimea. Can be world-class and empty on the right day.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Waimea Bay
🤙 Big wave history • Eddie Would Go • 15ft+ to fire
Pupukea
🌊 Classic Hawaiian reef • Fun to demanding • Barrel potential
Rocky Point
📸 Photographer magnet • High performance • Shifty peaks
Gas Chambers
💀 Detonating barrels • Extremely shallow • Helmet recommended
Rockpile
🪨 Gap in the Road • 150-yard lefts • Uncrowded alternative
Off The Wall
💪 Pipeline's neighbor • Powerful rights • Regular footer's dream
Plan a trip around Leftovers
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.