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
· Audio · ~40s
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0:000:29
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North-facing shores on Oʻahu will see the largest surf today through Friday, with six to eight feet possible Friday morning. South-facing shores will reach five to seven feet Friday, while east-facing shores remain one to three feet. A larger swell arriving around Tuesday will boost north and west shore surf toward advisory thresholds. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering the water, especially on north-facing exposures.
0:000:37
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South swell continues through next week with reinforcing pulses Thursday and Saturday. South-facing shores show the largest surf at five to seven feet today and Friday, remaining a few feet below advisory levels. North-facing shores will see four to six feet today, with a larger swell arriving around Tuesday to boost north and west shore surf to just below advisory thresholds. West and east-facing shores have lower surf in the table. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering the water, especially on south-facing exposures.
0:000:36
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South swell will continue into next week with pulses of long period reinforcement arriving Thursday and Saturday. South-facing shores on the Big Island will see five to seven feet through Friday—below advisory levels. North-facing shores hold three to five feet with small to moderate surf continuing. A larger swell will arrive around Tuesday, boosting north and west shores to just below advisory thresholds. East-facing shores remain small with weak local winds. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering, especially on south-facing exposures.
0:000:42
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North facing shores on Kauaʻi will see six to eight foot surf today and Friday. South facing shores show four to six feet today, then three to five feet Friday, rising to five to seven feet. West facing shores hold five to seven feet. East facing shores remain one to three feet. Small to moderate surf continues through the week as a surface low reinforces swell energy. A larger swell arrives around Tuesday, boosting north and west shore surf to just below advisory thresholds. Check posted signs and ask lifeguards before entering, especially on north facing 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.
Heavy rain is moving across Oʻahu this morning with rates hitting one to two inches per hour, and it'll keep going through this afternoon. Flash flooding is the main threat—windward and interior valleys are getting hit hardest. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect, so avoid driving through flooded roads.
The rain pulls back Friday with showers becoming scattered and lighter. By Saturday, trade winds settle back to normal and you'll see mostly dry conditions. The humidity that's soaking everything right now drops to seasonal levels by Saturday night.
If you're planning beach time or outdoor activities, Friday afternoon or Saturday will be much better calls than today.
0:000:41
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Oahu's getting hammered with heavy rain through this afternoon—rates locally hitting 1 to 2 inches per hour, with flash flooding the main threat on windward and interior slopes. Maui may see isolated heavy downpours late Thursday and Friday afternoon, mainly over interior areas. By Saturday, trade winds return to normal and conditions dry out. Saturday and Sunday stay mostly dry with only scattered afternoon showers possible over Maui.
North and west shores will have modest swell through the weekend; south-facing beaches stay small. Wait until Friday or Saturday for beach time—that's when conditions improve.
0:000:38
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Heavy rain with thunderstorms is hitting Oahu this morning and will persist through this afternoon, with rain rates locally reaching one to two inches per hour. Flash flooding is the main threat, especially on windward and interior slopes. The Big Island could see isolated heavy downpours through Friday afternoon, mainly over windward and interior areas. By Saturday, trade winds return to normal and conditions dry out—mostly dry through Sunday with only isolated afternoon showers possible.
Friday or Saturday will offer much better conditions for beach and outdoor time.
0:000:33
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Kauaʻi's rain has already moved out this morning, with drier air settling in. Scattered showers will become more isolated by Friday. Heavy downpours are still possible late Thursday and Friday afternoon, mainly over Oahu and the other islands. By Saturday, normal trade winds return and the air dries out noticeably. North and west shores will pick up modest swell through the weekend; southern beaches stay small. Plan your beach time for Saturday or Sunday when conditions stabilize.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
