Waikiki Beach - surf spot statistics

Waikiki Beach is known for its relatively consistent surf, but the conditions vary throughout the year. The best months for surfing at Waikiki are generally from September through May, when ground swells dominate and swell size remains steady around 1.3-1.4m. Ground swells, which provide cleaner and more organized waves, are most prevalent from September (67%) to May (65%), peaking in September and May. Wind conditions, however, are less favorable overall, with only 9-21% of days offering good winds across the year—lowest in June (9%) and highest in January (21%). The worst wind conditions occur from April to August, when bad winds exceed 85% of the time. Swell consistency is excellent year-round, with no days registering as flat. December and November see a more balanced mix of ground and wind swells (50-51% ground swell), but winds remain predominantly onshore. For the best balance of swell quality and slightly better wind chances, target September, October, or May, when ground swell percentages are high (62-67%) and wind conditions are marginally better compared to summer months. Summer (June-August) tends to be the least favorable due to stronger onshore winds and a slight drop in ground swell dominance. While Waikiki is surfable year-round, the fall and early winter months offer the most reliable conditions for experienced surfers.

In July at Waikiki Beach, the surf conditions are generally mellow but offer decent opportunities for surfers, particularly those favoring smaller to mid-sized waves. The average swell height is 1.4m with a solid 11.2s period, providing clean, well-spaced waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the ENE and SSW, with the most consistent waves falling in the 1-1.5m and 1.5-2m ranges. ENE swells make up a significant portion, contributing to 11.24% of 1-1.5m waves and 12.10% of 1.5-2m waves, while SSW swells also play a role with 15.68% in the 1-1.5m range. Wind conditions are less ideal, with only 11% of days offering favorable offshore or light cross-shore winds. The dominant winds come from ENE, often blowing at 20-30kph (31.15% occurrence), which can create choppy conditions. However, when winds stay light (0-10kph), particularly from the ESE or SSE, the waves clean up nicely. Overall, July delivers small to medium, playful waves with longer-period swells, but wind interference limits perfect conditions to a select few days. Experienced surfers can still find fun sessions, especially in the mornings before winds pick up.