Dune Circle (Oahu)
- Freeride, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dune Circle is a low-profile beach break access on Oahu’s East Honolulu coast that’s described as fairly exposed yet offering fairly consistent surf potential throughout the year. It’s also repeatedly characterized as rarely crowded, making it a good option when you want uncrowded, local-feeling conditions rather than a high-traffic surf scene. For surfing, the spot is wind-sensitive: the prevailing trade-wind pattern can blow the waves out and create choppier conditions. The best surf is described when the wind and swell line up more favorably, with SW/west components noted as the better alignment. Typical wave performance is described as small, with the occasional chance of waist-high to about head-high (roughly 1–2 feet overhead) depending on sandbar quality, swell, and wind. Safety is a key consideration here. Rock hazards and submerged rocks near the shore are noted, along with shallow reef elements and current risk in certain conditions. The access is also narrow and located at the end of a residential street, so launching and setting up gear can be more technical—particularly at higher tide. For wind sports, the broader Kailua Coast area supports reliable trade winds, with a summer-dominant window for stronger consistency. In that trade-wind season, conditions are described as generally supportive for kite, windsurf, and wingfoil—though reef shallows at low tide and strict near-shore craft rules apply.
- Rarely crowded, low-profile access
- Fairly consistent surf potential year-round
- Exposed beach break; SW/west winds/swell alignment helps surfing
- Trade winds in summer support wind-driven sports
- Rock and shallow-reef hazards near shore
- Fairly exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf and year-round potential
- Rarely crowded
- Trade-wind conditions can support wind-driven sports in summer months
- Rock and reef hazards near the shore
- Surf is very wind-sensitive and can turn choppy or messy in trade winds
- Very limited street parking and a narrow access for gear setup
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds dominate the region; spot conditions can become choppy depending on wind strength and direction.
- Reliability
- High during trade wind season.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small waves; can range from waist-high to around 1–2 feet overhead depending on sandbar quality, swell, and wind.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Often choppy under trade-wind conditions; becomes messier with less favorable wind/swell.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach access at the end of a residential street.
Through the year
Usually quiet and less crowded than nearby larger beach parks (described generally for the area).
November to March is the wetter period.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Quieter, more technical launching due to a narrow beach access; best when wind is in the trade-wind range and conditions suit freeride/foil/wave attempts.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Used for long-distance cruising across the bay in trade winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Reef can be shallow at low tide—launch with caution. Once outside, the rolling swell supports foiling.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Rolling swell described as excellent for foiling after you are clear of shallow reef.
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf that can work year-round. Waves are typically described as small, with occasional larger sets (waist-high to about head-high / roughly 1–2 feet overhead) depending on sandbar quality, swell, and wind.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W, NE, E, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One description notes all-tides; another notes mid tide for the best window.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Highly sensitive to the prevailing trades; can blow out and get choppy in trade-wind conditions. Cleaner surf is associated with favorable SW/west components.
- Bigger Swell
- Becomes messier and can close out on bigger NE swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Clean days are uncommon when trades dominate; quality is wind-sensitive.
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Often closes out or turns soft/mushy on the inside.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Often mushes out as it hits the inner sandbar.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, playful rides that often end in a closeout or mush out.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, playful rides; inside sandbar often forces closeouts/mush.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dune Circle (Oahu) in the full forecast view.
Dune Circle (Oahu) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–12 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NE51°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2812 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dune Circle (Oahu) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 25 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
- Rocks
- Shallow reef
- Submerged rocks near the shore
- Currents
- Narrow access at the end of a residential street can make setup harder (especially at high tide)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No on-site lifeguards described at this access.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Daylight ocean rescue is described for the wider area; no dedicated on-site rescue base is described.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 911.
Rules of the spot
Respect local craft zones around Kailua Bay; keep distance from swimmers and beachgoers at the narrow access point. No kitesurfing or windsurfing within 200 feet of the shore except when launching or landing.
- No kitesurfing or windsurfing within 200 feet of the shore except when launching or landing.
- The beach access is narrow, making gear setup and launching more technical—especially at high tide.
- The spot is in a quiet residential neighborhood; be respectful of parking and noise.
- Surf is very sensitive to trades and can turn choppy; cleaner conditions typically require light or more favorable winds.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Honolulu
- Nearest Town
- Kailua
- Nearest Airport
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Parking
- Very limited street parking in a residential area; be mindful of driveways and local regulations.
- Public Transport
- Limited regional coverage via TheBus; carrying large equipment is generally not permitted; car recommended for spot access
- Access
- Public beach access path located at the end of Dune Circle.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals are available in the surrounding Kailua neighborhood; extensive accommodation options are available within Kailua and Lanikai.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants are located a short drive away in Kailua town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as available in central Kailua (about a short drive from the spot).
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is described as offered by several local water sports centers and rental shops near primary access points.
- Gear Repair
- Professional repair services are described as available in the Kailua area for water-sports equipment.
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 Dune Circle (Oahu)?
The best overall months at Dune Circle (Oahu) are December. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Dune Circle (Oahu)?
Dune Circle (Oahu) works with SW, NE, ENE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Dune Circle (Oahu)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Dune Circle (Oahu): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Dune Circle (Oahu) suitable for?
Dune Circle (Oahu) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.