Bomboras
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Bomboras is an exposed reef break off the west end of Magic Island near Ala Moana Beach Park, delivering fairly consistent surf that peaks in July. It’s best surfed with south swells and northeast trade winds that tend to keep the wave face groomed. The spot is primarily for experienced surfers: the break is described as exposed and reef/urchin hazardous, with sharp reef and rocks. Hazards reported for the area include sea urchins, sharks, and localism (strong social dynamics), so respecting the lineup and being prepared for a demanding paddle is essential. Condition-wise, the wave is commonly described as peeling, with good overall wave quality in its summer window. Ride length is typically medium—enough for several turns before the wave tapers—and on more extreme south swells it can close out or become very heavy. For safety and comfort planning, reef-sensitive surfers are advised to use booties, and protective gear such as a helmet and impact protection is recommended. Lifeguards are reported as nearby (Ala Moana Beach Park), but rescue availability is noted as limited in the spot context; in addition, avoid designated swimming zones nearby.
- Exposed but consistent summer reef surfing
- Northeast winds often improve face quality
- July is the best month
- Quite consistent surf for an exposed reef break, especially in summer.
- Northeast trade winds help groom conditions more often than other wind directions.
- Warm water temperatures and nearby urban amenities.
- Exposed, hazardous shallow reef environment (rocks, urchins, and sharks reported).
- Strong localism; lineup priority expectations.
- Can get heavy/close-out on extreme south swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, NNE
- Offshore directions
- NE, NNE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade winds (generally offshore).
- Reliability
- 73% clean (fairly consistent).
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady.
- Best Months
- July
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Reef — Reef with sandy access nearby.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy when winds turn southerly.
- Launch
- Medium — Paddle out from Ala Moana Beach Park / Magic Island.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded; highest during summer weekends and holidays.
Rainy season typically runs from November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sometimes used for foiling when conditions are appropriate, but it is primarily a surfing zone where surfers have priority.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
Exposed coral-reef break off the west end of Magic Island’s seawall near Ala Moana Beach Park, delivering fairly consistent summer surf. Works best with south swells (often summer-peaking) and northeast trade winds for cleaner faces.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coral-reef break.
- Wind Effect
- Best with northeast winds that keep the face groomed; southerly winds can make things choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out or become very heavy on extreme south swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling reef waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling, with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent wall for several turns before tapering off.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Provides a decent wall for several turns before tapering off.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bomboras in the full forecast view.
Bomboras wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–10 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- ENE57°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.4 m12s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bomboras is forecast for daytime winds of 5–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.9–1.4 m with a period of about 12s. 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
- sharp coral reef
- rocks
- sea urchins
- sharks
- localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards reported as seasonal; nearby Ala Moana Beach Park coverage.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited at/for the spot context.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911. Lifeguards are stationed at nearby Ala Moana Beach Park.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Localism reported as strong/heavy; respect lineup priority.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local surfers and the lineup priority. Avoid designated swimming zones nearby.
- Avoid designated swimming zones nearby.
- Uncrowded when there is little swell.
- Protective reef runs along about 1,000 yards of shoreline.
- Walk-out can be long; booties are recommended for reef/urchin sensitivity.
- Best surfed during early morning before the trades get too strong or on light-wind days.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Honolulu
- Nearest Town
- East Honolulu
- Access
- Public access through Ala Moana Beach Park; surfers paddle out off the west end of Magic Island’s seawall.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and rentals are available in nearby Waikiki.
- Food & Drink
- Food concessions and nearby shopping centers offer dining options.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are widely available in the Waikiki and Ala Moana areas.
- Gear Repair
- Multiple surf shops in Honolulu offer board repair services.
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 Bomboras?
The best overall months at Bomboras are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are July.
Which wind directions work at Bomboras?
Bomboras works with NE, NNE winds. Offshore directions are NE, NNE.
What skill level is Bomboras suitable for?
Bomboras suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.