Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is one of surfing's most revered and challenging waves—a football-field-sized playing field of shifting peaks and deep-water power. West Peak is the classic heavy right, but the wave can break across multiple takeoff zones depending on swell direction. The lineup is deceptive and the currents are strong.
Sunset Beach 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
- 2.4m - 6.1m
- Ideal size
- 4.1m - 5.2m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (160°)
- Offshore range
- 120° - 200°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
9m+
Board
Gun / Step-up
Consistency
7/10
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
8/10
🏆 WSL Qualifying Series: Sunset Pro (Nov 18 – Nov 25) — expect heavy crowds & restricted access
Access: Beach access. Large parking area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Sunset Beach?
Sunset Beach is a reef break in North Shore, Oahu, USA, with peaks that run both left and right over a reef bottom. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 9m. It's one of the more consistent spots around (7/10). A step-up or gun is the usual call.
What's the story behind Sunset Beach?
Sunset Beach's original Hawaiian name is Paumalū. The big wave invitational in honour of Eddie Aikau started here at Sunset in 1984.
What swell works best at Sunset Beach?
Sunset Beach 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 2.4m and handles up to about 6.1m, with the sweet spot around 4.1 to 5.2m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 Sunset Beach?
A SSE wind is dead offshore at Sunset Beach, and anything from the ESE round to the SSW 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 Sunset Beach?
Sunset Beach is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Sunset Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Sunset Beach comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Nov-Feb peak. Best at 8-20ft. West Peak is the classic heavy right.
How cold is the water at Sunset Beach?
The water at Sunset Beach 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 Sunset Beach good for beginners?
No. At 9/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. It gets busy (crowd 8/10), so mind the pecking order. Powerful and deceptive. Multiple shifting peaks over huge area. Strong currents.
How do I get to Sunset Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive. Beach access. Large parking area.
What other surf spots are near Sunset Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Backdoor Outer Reef (1.1 km), Off The Wall (1.2 km) and Gas Chambers (1.2 km), handy when Sunset Beach isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Nov-Feb peak. Best at 8-20ft. West Peak is the classic heavy right.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Backdoor Outer Reef
🌊 Pipe's outer shelf • 2nd & 3rd reef • Reforms into Pipeline
Off The Wall
💪 Pipeline's neighbor • Powerful rights • Regular footer's dream
Gas Chambers
💀 Detonating barrels • Extremely shallow • Helmet recommended
Rocky Point
📸 Photographer magnet • High performance • Shifty peaks
Pipeline
🏆 The proving ground • Among the heaviest barrels on Earth • Experts only
Backdoor
🔥 Pipeline's evil twin • Right-hand deathpit • NNW swell specialist
Plan a trip around Sunset Beach
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.