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.
Phantoms surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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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
- 5.5m - 6.4m
- 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
Access: Paddle or tow-in from V-Land area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Phantoms?
Phantoms is a big-wave spot 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 12m. It's fickle (consistency 2/10), so it's worth jumping on when it does turn on. A step-up or gun is the usual call.
What swell works best at Phantoms?
Phantoms picks up swell from the WNW round to the NNW, 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 4.6m and keeps going up to about 7.6m, with the sweet spot around 5.5 to 6.4m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 14s 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 Phantoms?
A SSE wind is dead offshore at Phantoms, and anything from the ESE round to the SSW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Phantoms?
Phantoms isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf Phantoms?
The most reliable run of swell at Phantoms comes Dec to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. Dec-Feb. Only breaks on XL swells. Funnels swell into V-Land.
How cold is the water at Phantoms?
The water at Phantoms 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 Phantoms good for beginners?
No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Big wave outer reef beyond V-Land/Sunset. Only breaks on XL swells. Remote, heavy, rarely crowded.
How do I get to Phantoms?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $150 USD, but confirm with an operator). Paddle or tow-in from V-Land area.
What other surf spots are near Phantoms?
The closest breaks we track are Velzyland (1.1 km), Kammieland (1.2 km) and Backyards (1.6 km), handy when Phantoms isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.
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
Plan a trip around Phantoms
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.