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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0:000:43
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South-facing shores on Oʻahu will see surf near 6 to 8 feet this afternoon and tonight as a southerly swell pushes conditions close to advisory level. That swell will begin to fade Wednesday. North-facing shores will rise to 6 to 8 feet Wednesday as a long-period northwest swell arrives tonight. Small to moderate surf continues through the week on north-facing shores. West-facing shores may see moderate surf Thursday into the weekend from a small, long-period swell associated with Typhoon Choi-wan. East-facing shores remain small. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering, especially on south- and north-facing exposures.
0:000:33
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South-facing shores on Maui will reach 6–8 feet this afternoon and tonight, with a southerly swell pushing close to advisory levels. North-facing shores will reach 5–7 feet by Wednesday as a long-period northwest swell arrives today and builds overnight. West-facing shores may see moderate surf Thursday through the weekend from a small, long-period swell originating from Typhoon Choi-wan. East-facing shores remain small. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering, especially on the south-facing exposure.
0:000:40
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South-facing shores on the Big Island are running 5 to 8 feet through tonight, approaching advisory thresholds. This swell fades Wednesday, dropping to 5 to 7 feet. North-facing exposures climb to 4 to 6 feet Wednesday as a long-period northwest swell arrives. East-facing shores remain small at 2 to 4 feet. West-facing shores will see 2 to 5 feet today and Wednesday, with a small west swell from Typhoon Choi-wan possible Thursday into the weekend, which may produce moderate surf. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering, particularly on south-facing shores.
0:000:33
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A southerly swell will push surf for south-facing shores to near advisory levels this afternoon and through tonight, reaching 6 to 8 feet in the PM. A long-period northwest swell arrives today, lifting north-facing surf to 6 to 8 feet Wednesday. East-facing shores remain small at 2 to 4 feet. Wednesday south-facing surf is forecast at 5 to 7 feet. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards on south and north-facing exposures before entering the water.
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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.
Mostly dry this morning with light to moderate trade winds, a few showers over windward and mountain slopes. Winds weaken and turn south tonight into Wednesday as a low-pressure system develops north of the islands, starting a wet stretch.
Wednesday afternoon through Friday, rain increases across the island, heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Rain timing and intensity depend on where the rainband sets up. No flood watch is in place yet, but conditions will be wet. Saturday and Sunday clear out as normal trade winds return.
Beach and water activities work best today and early Wednesday; plan indoor time for Wednesday through Friday as rain increases. Save hiking and summit drives for the weekend.
0:000:52
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Mostly dry right now with light to moderate trade winds. South-facing shores have elevated surf near advisory levels through tonight.
Winds weaken and shift south starting tonight into Wednesday as a low-pressure system develops north of the islands. Wednesday afternoon through Friday, showers and rain increase across Maui, heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Rain intensity and timing remain uncertain depending on where a rainband sets up—conditions will stay wet and may limit activity.
Saturday into Sunday, normal trade winds return and rain clears. Beach and water activities work best today and early Wednesday; plan indoor time for the wet stretch ahead. Hiking and summit trips are better suited for the weekend.
0:000:44
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Mostly dry this morning with light to moderate trade winds. Windward and mountain slopes have a few scattered showers.
Winds weaken and turn southerly tonight into Wednesday, and rain increases Wednesday through Friday across the island—heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Timing and intensity depend on exactly where the rain sets up and how long it lingers. Saturday and Sunday clear out and trade winds return to normal.
Get your beach time in today and early Wednesday morning. Plan indoor activities for the wet stretch, and save hiking and summit drives for Saturday.
0:000:53
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Mostly dry right now with light to moderate trade winds. Windward and mountain areas have a few scattered showers, but south-facing shores have elevated surf near advisory levels through tonight.
Starting Wednesday, winds weaken and turn south as a low-pressure system develops north of the islands. Rain will increase, heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Rain intensity and timing are uncertain—it depends on where a rainband sets up and how long it lingers. Saturday and Sunday, normal trade winds return and rain clears out.
Beach and water activities work best today and early Wednesday. Move indoor or covered plans to Wednesday through Friday as rain picks up. Save hiking and summit drives for the weekend.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
