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Sunset Beach / Oahu kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot

United States · Hawaii

Spot currently openExpert level 21.68 | -158.04

Overview

Sunset Beach is one of the most famous and dangerous breaks in the world, located on Oahu's North Shore. In winter, waves of 20 to 50 feet crash on this legendary spot, attracting the world's best surfers for the Triple Crown of Surfing competitions. Kitesurfing is possible but EXCLUSIVELY reserved for expert-level riders capable of handling massive waves and extreme currents. In summer, conditions are much calmer with relatively flat water. Northeast trade winds blow side-shore consistently.

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Spot forecast for Sunset Beach / Oahu

Sunrise 06:30 · Sunset 18:03

Open-Meteo

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.6 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Mon 19Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23 Now10:490.6 m18:480.3 m23:570.4 m03:320.3 m11:150.6 m18:300.3 m00:110.4 m04:450.3 m11:360.6 m18:270.3 m00:330.5 m05:420.3 m11:550.6 m18:320.2 m01:000.6 m06:340.3 m12:150.6 m18:440.2 m
  • Monday 19 October High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.4 m
  • Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m
  • Wednesday 21 October High tide · 0.4 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m
  • Thursday 22 October High tide · 0.5 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.2 m
  • Friday 23 October High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.2 m

Sunset Beach / Oahu: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

441h

in July · 31 rideable days

The season runs from May to November, peaking in July: 28 rideable days a month and 441 hours of usable wind, at 27 °C. The low point is January, at 10 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 40 January: 10 rideable days10 d J February: 14.5 rideable days F March: 24 rideable days M April: 19.5 rideable days A May: 26 rideable days M June: 29 rideable days J July: 31 rideable days31 d J August: 30.5 rideable days A September: 27 rideable days S October: 27 rideable days O November: 26 rideable days N December: 14.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 40 January: 10 rideable days10 d J February: 14.5 rideable days F March: 24 rideable days M April: 19.5 rideable days A May: 26 rideable days M June: 29 rideable days J July: 31 rideable days31 d J August: 30.5 rideable days A September: 27 rideable days S October: 27 rideable days O November: 26 rideable days N December: 14.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 49%13-20 knots · 51%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 51% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is February, at 25 °C. The wettest month is April, with 170 mm.

Monthly averages: Sunset Beach / Oahu
Monthly averages — Sunset Beach / Oahu — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 10.0 94 h 26 °C 85 mm
February 14.5 141 h 25 °C 46 mm
March 24.0 288 h 25 °C 77 mm
April 19.5 227 h 26 °C 170 mm
May 26.0 333 h 26 °C 144 mm
June 29.0 416 h 27 °C 105 mm
July 31.0 441 h 27 °C 108 mm
August 30.5 385 h 28 °C 91 mm
September 27.0 321 h 28 °C 88 mm
October 27.0 301 h 28 °C 95 mm
November 26.0 259 h 27 °C 72 mm
December 14.5 138 h 26 °C 90 mm

Photo gallery of Sunset Beach / Oahu

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Technical details of Sunset Beach / Oahu spot

N: Not rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Rideable E: Rideable ESE: Not rideable SE: Not rideable SSE: Not rideable S: Not rideable SSW: Not rideable SW: Not rideable WSW: Not rideable W: Not rideable WNW: Not rideable NW: Not rideable NNW: Not rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from NNE, NE, ENE, E.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Expert
On the water

Warm water year-round (24-27°C/75-80°F), no wetsuit needed. In winter (October-April), North Pacific swells create MASSIVE waves of 20 to 50+ feet — among the most dangerous conditions in the world. In summer, water is relatively calm and flat. The bottom is a shallow coral reef over which waves break with extreme violence. Extremely strong currents in big swell, capable of pulling offshore in seconds.

Hazards

POTENTIALLY LETHAL WAVES in winter — this spot has caused deaths even among professional surfers. Extreme currents in big swell. Very shallow coral reef — impact on reef at high speed potentially fatal. Very protective surfing community — respect localism and right-of-way. DO NOT ride during competitions. Sharks (tiger sharks) very frequent on Oahu's North Shore. Protected sea turtles. Humpback whales from December to April — 100 yards distance. Devastating shore break.

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