Halfpoint Fullpoint
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Chop
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Halfpoint Fullpoint at Sandy Beach Park is an exposed, high-energy surf setup on Oahu’s east side, featuring two main reef-break peaks. The wave style is typically fast and hollow right-hand surf, with Half Point described as quicker and more hollow, and Full Point sitting further out for longer, more structured walls when conditions line up. Despite the classic reef-break description, sources also emphasize that the overall spot can frequently produce small and choppy surf under the prevailing trade winds. Clean days are uncommon (spot-guide data cites very low “monthly clean” percentages and a high “monthly small” frequency), so the spot tends to be more of a reliable working break than a consistently polished one. Safety is a primary concern. Sandy Beach is described as notorious for shorebreak injuries, and Halfpoint Fullpoint requires navigating a shallow lava reef, sharp rocks, and a heavy shorebreak on entry and exit. Strong rip currents and powerful side-drifts are reported, and the reef becomes extremely shallow at low tide. Crowds are often present year-round, increasing the importance of careful water management and awareness of swimmers. For swell and wind timing: performances are associated with trade wind conditions and a south or east/southeast swell window depending on the described setup. Sources indicate it can work across tides, with a mid-tide preference noted, and it becomes especially dangerous as size increases due to the shallow reef and intensifying currents. Lifeguards are present during daylight hours, but rescue availability is still described as limited, so advanced skills and appropriate caution are essential.
- Fast, hollow right-hand reef walls (Half Point and Full Point)
- Trade-wind-driven sessions are common, often with chop
- Shallow reef + heavy shorebreak create a demanding and injury-prone environment
- Daytime lifeguard towers at Sandy Beach Park
- High-performance right-hand reef waves at two main peaks (Half Point and Full Point).
- Trade winds and seasonal swell windows support repeat sessions, especially in the south-swell season.
- Lifeguard towers are present during daylight hours at Sandy Beach Park.
- Very technical and advanced reef-break environment with shallow lava reef/reef exposure.
- Heavy shorebreak and strong currents (rip currents and side-drift) can make entries and exits hazardous.
- Crowds are common, which adds risk at a high-energy, shorebreak-heavy lineup.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing North-East trade winds.
- Reliability
- High during trade wind seasons (spot guide also cites only 29% blown/monthly blown indicator).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Partial shadowing from Koko Crater on certain wind angles; the point remains very exposed.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Chop
- Beach
- Mixed — Sand around the beach/entry with reef/rock components at the point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Sources conflict on typical size: some describe mostly small/choppy surf, while reef-break data describes medium waves.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Trade winds often create chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with a rocky point entry for the reef breaks.
Through the year
Consistently crowded year-round, especially on weekends and during south or east swells.
Rainy season is typically November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Half Point and Full Point form a reef-break zone at the eastern end of Sandy Beach Park, producing fast hollow right-handers. The inner area is notably shallow and technical, and conditions can quickly become dangerous as size and currents increase.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Works at all tides, with sources noting best performance at mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/reef environment with no meaningful wind or swell shelter at the main peaks.
- Wind Effect
- Trade winds groom the wave but can add chop; glassy conditions require lighter winds or Kona winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes extremely dangerous on larger swells because the reef is shallow and currents intensify.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Spot guide rates wave quality as poor overall, while the reef-break description indicates good quality when the setup is right.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, hollow right-handers on the reef break.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Fast, steep drops into hollow right-hand walls.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Full Point can provide longer, more structured walls on larger swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, steep drops into hollow right-hand walls; Full Point is further out and can offer longer rides on larger swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Halfpoint Fullpoint in the full forecast view.
Halfpoint Fullpoint wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–13 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- ENE59°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2813 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Halfpoint Fullpoint is forecast for daytime winds of 6–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.4–2.0 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Sharp rocks at the point
- Strong rip currents and powerful side-drifts
- Heavy shorebreak
- Crowds
- Neck and back injuries
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Lifeguard coverage at Sandy Beach Park is present year-round.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited at the spot level.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguard towers are present at Sandy Beach Park during daylight hours; dial 911 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Heavy local presence noted at the spot.
Rules of the spot
Respect local priority and hierarchy; stay clear of the shorebreak swimmers and bodyboarders.
- No commercial surf schools allowed at Sandy Beach Park.
- Entry is best made from the rocky point rather than paddling through the heavy shorebreak.
- Watch the reef depth carefully at low tide as it becomes extremely shallow.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Honolulu
- Nearest Town
- East Honolulu
- Nearest Airport
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- Parking
- Large public parking lots available at Sandy Beach Park.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus access in practice; TheBus serves the area though carrying large gear is restricted.
- Access
- Accessible via Kalanianaʻole Highway; part of Sandy Beach Park.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Hawaii Kai or hotels in Waikiki.
- Food & Drink
- Occasional food trucks in the parking lot; shopping and restaurants in nearby Hawaii Kai.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; rentals require visiting shops in Honolulu or Hawaii Kai.
- Gear Storage
- Not clearly available at the launch area (cluster notes limited on-site storage at East Honolulu launches).
- Gear Repair
- Available in Honolulu surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
East Honolulu’s rugged windward coastline offers popular hiking viewpoints and marine attractions nearby, with dining and family-friendly options in Hawaii Kai/Waikiki.
A paved hiking trail offering panoramic views of the windward coast and seasonal whale watching.
A world-famous volcanic crater and marine life conservation district significant to Hawaiian history.
Marine mammal park and bird sanctuary offering interactive programs and educational exhibits.
Popular waterfront brewery and restaurant serving local craft beers and pizzas.
A scenic park for watching expert bodyboarders and flying kites; water is for experts only.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (family-friendly marine/lifestyle activities).
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Halfpoint Fullpoint?
The best overall months at Halfpoint Fullpoint are March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Halfpoint Fullpoint?
Halfpoint Fullpoint works with NE, ENE, E winds.
What skill level is Halfpoint Fullpoint suitable for?
Halfpoint Fullpoint suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.