Bellows (Oahu)
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Bellows (Oahu) is an exposed windward sandy beach break in East Honolulu that’s typically working year-round, with small, beginner-friendly surf breaking over a sandbar. The waves are commonly described as soft/mushy and slow, offering gentle rides—especially when conditions line up with the right swell direction. Wind patterns are strongly trade-wind driven. West winds are described as offshore for surfing, while the East/Northeast trade winds are generally onshore, which can affect how clean the water feels. The spot is also noted for sandbar consistency (with a long-season of workable days), though conditions can get messy as swell increases. Safety is a major focus here. Rip currents are a known hazard, and the area can also see marine stinging hazards (man-o-war and box jellyfish), so it’s important to watch for warning signs/flags and avoid entering the water when hazards are indicated. Beach access is restricted to weekends, and there are specific rules around the lifeguard tower section (no surfing between the two towers). Overall, Bellows is described as a low-profile, relatively uncrowded destination compared with more public surf areas—helped by the weekday restrictions. Plan ahead for weekend parking capacity and arrive early if you’re going.
- Consistent, sandbar-driven small surf
- Offshore west winds for better surfing conditions
- Weekend-only access helps keep crowds lower overall
- Beginner-friendly waves suitable for learning
- Beginner-friendly sandbar surfing with consistent small waves.
- Often works year-round and can be surfable at all tides.
- Rarely crowded due to restricted access.
- Offshore west winds can improve surf quality.
- Weekend-only public access due to base restrictions (and limited capacity).
- Rips are a real risk.
- Man-o-war / box jellyfish can be present and require caution.
- Onshore trade winds can make conditions less ideal for surfing.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade winds dominate; west winds are offshore for surfing.
- Reliability
- 150+ days/year
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Can be slightly gusty near the tree line.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with sandbar bottom; ironwood/shade areas nearby.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small
- Launch
- Small — Walk-in with instant access (under 5 minutes).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Low year-round; weekend and holiday access can bring heavier on-site crowds.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible on weekends when the beach is open, but more popular as a beginner surfing / bodyboarding area. Depth and wind direction matter.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness is limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandy beach break over a sandbar, typically small and beginner-friendly. Works best with the right swell direction (northeast) and when winds are offshore for cleaner conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also described as surfable at all stages of the tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- West winds are offshore; East/Northeast trade winds are onshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out or becomes very messy with large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Waves tend to be slow and crumbly.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long but gentle rides.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves tend to be slow and crumbly, offering long but gentle rides.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bellows (Oahu) in the full forecast view.
Bellows (Oahu) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–14 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- NE53°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2814 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bellows (Oahu) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.2–2.2 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rip currents
- Portuguese Man-o-War / man-o-war
- box jellyfish
- shallow sandbars
- rocks
- private access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 911; lifeguards are stationed at the public beach park area.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Weekend access is limited and there can be local concern around usage near the towers.
Rules of the spot
Private beach / military-area access restrictions: public access is limited to weekends; no surfing is allowed between the two lifeguard towers.
- No surfing between the two lifeguard towers.
- No public access during weekdays; camping requires a pre-obtained permit and strict base regulations apply.
- Man-o-war is common here—watch for warning signs/flags.
- Check jellyfish timing (often arrives 7–10 days after a full moon).
- No surfing between the two lifeguard towers.
- Arrive early on Saturday mornings because parking fills up quickly.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- East Honolulu
- Nearest Town
- Waimanalo
- Nearest Airport
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Parking
- Large parking lot available, but it reaches capacity early on weekends (park right before the Air Force Base gate).
- Public Transport
- TheBus provides regular service along Kalanianaʻole Highway; transporting large gear on buses is restricted. Public transport is described as limited overall.
- Access
- Accessible via Kalanianaʻole Highway; public entrance is through the Bellows Field Beach Park gate on weekends.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping on-site (permit required) or vacation rentals in Waimanalo.
- Food & Drink
- Occasional food trucks nearby; Waimanalo town has small cafes and grocery stores.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals directly on the beach for the public; rentals are available in the nearby Kailua area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bellows (Oahu)?
The best overall months at Bellows (Oahu) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Bellows (Oahu)?
Bellows (Oahu) works with W winds. Offshore directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Bellows (Oahu)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Bellows (Oahu): Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Bellows (Oahu) suitable for?
Bellows (Oahu) suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.