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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0:000:32
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A larger reinforcing medium-period swell out of the north-northwest will arrive by late this evening and fill in tonight. North-facing shores could reach advisory thresholds late tonight into Sunday morning, with surf climbing to 10–15 feet Sunday morning. West-facing shores will see 7–10 feet Sunday morning. South-facing shores show 3–5 feet. East-facing shores hold at 6–8 feet through the weekend. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering the water, especially on north-facing exposures.
0:000:40
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North-facing shores on Maui will see 6 to 8 feet today, rising to 9 to 12 feet Sunday morning as a reinforcing medium-period north-northwest swell arrives late this evening. Surf could reach advisory thresholds late tonight into Sunday morning. East-facing shores will hold steady at 6 to 8 feet through the weekend. West-facing shores will see 2 to 4 feet, while south-facing shores will see 2 to 4 feet today, rising to 3 to 5 feet Sunday morning. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering the water on north-facing exposures.
0:000:39
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North-facing shores on the Big Island will see three- to five-foot surf today, building to four to six feet Sunday as a reinforcing medium-period swell from the north-northwest arrives late this evening and fills in tonight. Surf could reach advisory thresholds late tonight into Sunday morning. East-facing shores will hold at five to seven feet through the weekend. West-facing shores will remain smaller at one to three feet, reaching two to four feet Sunday. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering the water, especially on the north-facing exposure.
0:000:32
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North-facing shores on Kauaʻi will see surf reach 10 to 15 feet Sunday morning as a reinforcing medium-period swell from the north-northwest arrives late tonight and fills in overnight. Surf could reach advisory thresholds during the peak late tonight into Sunday morning. West-facing shores will see 7 to 10 feet Sunday, with lower surf in the table on south-facing exposures. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering the water on north-facing shores.
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.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
0:000:54
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
0:000:53
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
0:000:49
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Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
