Lyman's
Lyman's is a classic left point/reef break south of Magic Sands on the Kona coast. It works on multiple swell directions—NW in winter, SW in summer—making it one of the more versatile waves on the Big Island. A Hawaiian royalty surf spot with rich history.
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Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (292°)
- Direction range
- 250° - 320°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 140°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
3m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
5/10
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Access from Ali'i Drive near Holualoa Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Lyman's?
Lyman's is a reef break in Kona Coast, Big Island, USA, that mostly breaks left 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 Lyman's?
Lyman's picks up swell from the WSW round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. Works on multiple swell directions. NW in winter, SW in summer. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Lyman's?
An E wind is dead offshore at Lyman's, and anything from the NE round to the SE 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 Lyman's?
Lyman's is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Lyman's?
The most reliable run of swell at Lyman's comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in May to Sep too. Year-round. Works on multiple swell directions. Hawaiian royalty surf spot.
How cold is the water at Lyman's?
The water at Lyman's 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 Lyman's 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. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Classic left point/reef break south of Magic Sands. Shallow reef, sharp bottom. Hawaiian royalty surf spot.
How do I get to Lyman's?
The nearest airport on our list is KOA, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Access from Ali'i Drive near Holualoa Bay.
What other surf spots are near Lyman's?
The closest breaks we track are Banyans (7.7 km) and Pine Trees (Kohanaiki) (19 km), handy when Lyman's isn't working. Fun fact: it's the most southerly break we track in USA.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: May-Sep
Year-round. Works on multiple swell directions. Hawaiian royalty surf spot.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Banyans
🌴 Big Island's best • Shane Dorian's home • Year-round waves
Pine Trees (Kohanaiki)
🌲 Kona's most consistent • Multiple peaks • Local favorite
Honoli'i
🌊 Hilo's best • Year-round rivermouth • Magic when offshore
Ma'alaea
🚂 World's fastest wave • 300-yard barrel • Handful of times per year
Jaws
🦈 Where tow-in was born • Giant walls of water • Maui's monster
Hookipa
🌬️ Windsurf capital • Multiple reef peaks • Consistent winter waves