Best Time to Go
Hawaii
Hawaii flips with the seasons: winter sends massive swells to the north- and west-facing shores (the famous North Shore), while summer lights up the south shores with gentler surf.
- Month-by-month conditions
- Free
- No signup
Month by month
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PeakGoodFairOff
When to go & why
- November–February: huge North Shore surf for experts
- June–August: fun south-shore swells, better for most surfers
- Respect local conditions, winter Hawaii is serious
Notable months
- January
- North Shore at its biggest (advanced/expert)
- July
- South shores firing, friendlier surf
Plan your Hawaii trip with a local operator
Browse surf schools & coaches who know the seasons and can book your dates.
Common questions
- When is the best time to surf in Hawaii?
- It depends on where you go. Winter (roughly November–February) sends massive swells to the north- and west-facing shores for experts, while summer (June–August) lights up the south shores with gentler, more approachable surf.
- When is the North Shore at its biggest?
- The North Shore peaks in winter, roughly November through February, when huge swells arrive. These are serious, expert-level conditions, so respect the local lineup and your own limits.
- Where should most surfers go in Hawaii during summer?
- Head to the south shores in summer, which fire with fun, friendlier swells that suit a much wider range of surfers than the winter North Shore.
