Phantoms
Phantoms is a big wave outer reef that lurks beyond Velzyland and Sunset Beach, only awakening when XL winter swells march in. It funnels swell toward the shoreline breaks and offers deep water peaks for those willing to paddle or tow into the unknown.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 300° - 340°
- Size range
- 4.6m - 7.6m
- Ideal size
- 6.3m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (160°)
- Offshore range
- 120° - 200°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
12m+
Board
Gun / Step-up
Consistency
2/10
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
2/10
👥 Summer Break (Jun 15 – Aug 25) — expect extra crowds
Access: Paddle or tow-in from V-Land area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Phantoms?
Phantoms handles all stages of the tide, so time your session around the wind instead. The live chart above shows the next few days.
What wind direction is offshore at Phantoms?
Offshore wind at Phantoms blows from the SSE (160°). Anything in the 120° to 200° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Phantoms?
Phantoms wants NW swell (300° to 340°) between 4.6m and 7.6m, with a period of 18s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Phantoms?
The main season at Phantoms is Dec, Jan, Feb. A secondary window runs Nov, Mar. Dec-Feb. Only breaks on XL swells. Funnels swell into V-Land.
How do I get to Phantoms?
Fly into HNL, then allow about 55 minutes by road, plus a boat transfer (around $150 USD). Paddle or tow-in from V-Land area.
What kind of wave is Phantoms?
Phantoms is a big wave break, a peak with lefts and rights over a reef bottom. Difficulty is rated 10/10.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Nov, Mar
Dec-Feb. Only breaks on XL swells. Funnels swell into V-Land.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Velzyland
🏄 Dale Velzy's legacy • Draining ledge • 150-yard peelers
Kammieland
🏪 Kammie's Market legacy • Workable walls • Under the radar
Backyards
🏠 Behind the houses • Fast takeoff required • Shallow detonations
Sunset Beach
🌅 The ultimate proving ground • Shifting peaks • Deep water power
Backdoor Outer Reef
🌊 Pipe's outer shelf • 2nd & 3rd reef • Reforms into Pipeline
Outer Log Cabins
🏔️ 85ft ridden here • North Shore's outer limit • Tow-in territory