Pupukea
Pupukea is a sand and rock bottom break between the Pipeline area and Rocky Point. Fun and surfable at smaller sizes, it becomes demanding at head-high-plus with legitimate barreling potential.
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Strike Score Breakdown
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 300° - 330°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Mixed
Max wave face
3.5m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
7/10
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
5/10
👥 Summer Break (Jun 15 – Aug 25) — expect extra crowds
Access: Beach access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Pupukea?
Pupukea works best on a low to mid tide. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Pupukea?
Offshore wind at Pupukea blows from the ESE (120°). Anything in the 90° to 160° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Pupukea?
Pupukea wants NW swell (300° to 330°) between 0.9m and 2.4m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Pupukea?
The main season at Pupukea is Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb. A secondary window runs Oct, Mar. Nov-Feb. Fun to 6ft, demanding to 10ft.
How do I get to Pupukea?
Fly into HNL, then allow about 55 minutes by road. Beach access.
What kind of wave is Pupukea?
Pupukea is a reef break, a peak with lefts and rights over a mixed bottom. Difficulty is rated 6/10.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Oct, Mar
Nov-Feb. Fun to 6ft, demanding to 10ft.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Rocky Point
📸 Photographer magnet • High performance • Shifty peaks
Gas Chambers
💀 Detonating barrels • Extremely shallow • Helmet recommended
Off The Wall
💪 Pipeline's neighbor • Powerful rights • Regular footer's dream
Pipeline
🏆 The proving ground • Heaviest barrels on Earth • Experts only
Backdoor
🔥 Pipeline's evil twin • Right-hand deathpit • NNW swell specialist
Rockpile
🪨 Gap in the Road • 150-yard lefts • Uncrowded alternative