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Hawaii Surf Reports/Forecasts

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Hawaii Surf Report/Forecast

January 16-17, 2026

Forecast: An extra large, medium to long period northwest (320-340 degrees) swell will continue to fill in, peak and slowly fade through Friday. A High Surf Warning remains in effect through Friday for exposed north and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and north facing shores of Maui. Additionally, a High Surf Advisory is in effect for west facing shores of the Big Island. This swell will gradually transition to become more northerly (350-010 degrees) as it fades through the weekend. Surf along north and west facing shores will then linger near advisory levels Saturday, before another reinforcing northwest swell arrives Sunday into Sunday night.

Surf along east facing shores will remain small, though will increase slightly Friday into the weekend, as trades become re-established across the area. Additionally, some east facing shores sensitive to northerly swells may experience a slight uptick in surf heights this weekend as the fading northwesterly swell becomes more northerly. No noteworthy swells are expected for the next few days for south facing shores.

Maui Beaches
Hana: 1-2+ / (measured in feet)
Hookipa: 10-15
Kanaha: 9-11
Kihei/Wailea: 1
Maalaea Bay: 1/2-1
Lahaina: 1+
Upper West: 8+

Oahu Beaches
North Shore: 12-17
West Shore: 10-11
South Shores: 1+
East Shores: 1-2+

Big Island
North Shore: 8-13
West Shore: 8+
South Shores: 1+
East Shores: 1-2+

Kauai
North Shore: 12-17
West Shore: 10-12
South Shore: 1
East Shore: 1-2

>>> The actual wave face sizes are about twice the numbers noted above

Buoys surrounding the islands

Island swell shadow lines for Kauai
Island swell shadow lines for Oahu
Island swell shadow lines for Maui
Island swell shadow lines for Big Island

Oceanweather wave model
Stormsurf swell model – the Pacific
Stormsurf wave model – local Hawaiian Islands

Tides for Hawaii