Live NWS surf forecasts and NOAA tides and water temperature, plus a lunar-cycle Box Jellyfish Watch.
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Today’s Ocean Brief
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0:000:33
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High Surf Advisory in effect through 6 p.m. today for Oʻahu's north and west-facing shores. North-facing shores show 14–18 feet this morning, 8–12 feet Saturday. West-facing shores show 10–14 feet this morning, 5–7 feet Saturday. South-facing shores range 2–5 feet. East-facing shores hold 6–8 feet. A reinforcing medium-period north-northwest swell could bring surf near advisory thresholds early Sunday morning. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering the water on exposed north and west shores.
0:000:40
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High Surf Advisory in effect for Maui's north-facing shores until 6 p.m. today. Surf heights of 14 to 18 feet with strong breaking waves and currents make swimming dangerous. The swell declines this evening through Saturday. West-facing shores drop from 5 to 7 feet this morning to 3 to 5 feet by afternoon and Saturday. East-facing shores hold at 6 to 8 feet. A reinforcing north-northwest swell arrives late Saturday into Sunday; surf could approach advisory thresholds early Sunday morning. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering water, especially on north-facing exposures.
0:000:33
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A north-northwest swell will continue declining through Saturday. On the Big Island, north-facing shores show 5 to 7 feet through Saturday. East-facing shores are elevated at 6 to 8 feet and will remain choppy through the week. South-facing shores reach 4 to 6 feet this afternoon, then drop to 3 to 5 feet Saturday. West-facing shores hold 2 to 4 feet both days. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering, especially on the east-facing exposure.
0:000:39
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High Surf Advisory remains in effect for Kauaʻi north and west facing shores until six PM today. North-facing shores see fourteen to eighteen feet this morning, dropping to twelve to sixteen feet by afternoon. West-facing shores hold ten to fourteen feet this morning, declining to eight to twelve feet. South-facing shores show two to four feet this morning, rising to three to five feet by afternoon. A reinforcing north-northwest swell may approach advisory thresholds early Sunday. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering water on north and west exposures.
Created with AI from the official NWS Honolulu Surf Forecast and active ocean alerts
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Box jellyfish arrivals tend to follow a lunar pattern on south-facing beaches. This calendar uses a cautious planning buffer around the Waikīkī Aquarium's expected window; check its current calendar, posted beach signs, and lifeguards before entering the water.
Dates are calculated from the lunar cycle. Beach conditions and sightings vary, so always follow posted signs and lifeguard instructions.
Ocean Safety
Check Before You Go
Hawaii's ocean conditions change fast. Always check the posted warning signs and color-coded warning flags at the beach. If lifeguards are present, ask them about current conditions before entering the water.
Shore Break
Waves that break directly on the sand can slam you into the bottom. Common at Sandy Beach (Oahu), Big Beach (Maui), and Hapuna Beach (Big Island). If waves are overhead and breaking on shore, stay out.
Rip Currents
If caught in a rip current, don't fight it. Swim parallel to shore until you're out of the pull, then swim back in. Look for channels of choppy, discolored water flowing seaward.
Seasonal Swells
North shores generally see their largest surf in winter, while south shores pick up Southern Hemisphere swells during the warmer months. Conditions that look calm from shore can be dangerous in the water.
Showers are ending Saturday, with trade winds picking up through the weekend. A high surf advisory covers north and northwest-facing shores until 6 PM today. A medium swell arrives late Saturday into Sunday and could bring surf back to advisory levels early Sunday morning. Rough seas and choppy conditions will persist through Sunday, so hold off on water sports and exposed beaches. Saturday afternoon onward is best for outdoor activities once showers clear and the swell eases.
0:000:58
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Showers are heavy this morning on Maui's windward side and mountains—some spots picked up 2 to 5 inches overnight. Expect rain to continue through Saturday morning, then gradually clear out.
Trade winds are strengthening through the weekend with rough seas in all channels. A High Surf Advisory is in effect until 6 PM today on north and west-facing shores—conditions are dangerous right now. Surf should ease below warning levels by evening, but a medium swell arrives late Saturday into Sunday and could push surf back to advisory levels early Sunday. A tropical disturbance tracking far south of the islands will keep trade winds elevated through early next week but won't bring rain to Maui.
Wait until Saturday afternoon to plan your beach time and water activities—that's when showers end and conditions start to settle.
0:000:57
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Heavy showers are hitting the Big Island's windward slopes this morning, with some areas getting 2 to 5 inches overnight. Rain continues through Saturday morning, especially on mountains and windward exposures, then gradually clears. A few isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon on the windward side if clouds break midday.
North and northwest-facing shores have dangerous high surf today under advisory until 6 PM—it eases by evening but a medium swell arrives late Saturday into Sunday, potentially bringing advisory-level conditions again early Sunday. Trade winds stay gusty through the weekend with rough seas and choppy conditions in the channels. Better conditions arrive Saturday afternoon and hold through Wednesday.
Plan water activities for Saturday afternoon onward once the rain clears and surf settles. Avoid water sports and exposed beaches through Sunday.
0:000:46
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Showers are moving through this morning, with heavier rain on windward Big Island and Maui through Saturday morning. Trade winds are strong across the islands through the weekend, and a high surf advisory is in effect until 6 PM today on north and northwest facing shores—dangerous conditions if you're planning to get in the water. By Saturday afternoon, showers taper off and conditions settle into typical dry trade wind weather, though a medium swell could bring surf back to advisory levels early Sunday morning. Beach time is best Saturday afternoon onward; avoid water sports and exposed shores through Sunday due to high surf and rough seas.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
