Keawaiki Bay
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Keawaiki Bay is a reasonably exposed beach-and-reef surf spot on Hawaii’s Big Island, known for reliable winter waves. It can produce both lefts and rights, with the best swell direction reported as northwest (and north/west also favored). The spot’s overall feel is advanced because reef and current factors can make takeoffs, positioning, and paddle-outs demanding. Wind is influenced primarily by North-East trade winds, with offshore conditions most often linked to east-southeast/east winds. The cleanest conditions are typically associated with morning hours, though diurnal/sea-breeze effects can also occur. Winter is the key season, with the broader pattern of more consistent swell and offshore grooming. Safety is a major consideration here. Reported hazards include sharks and rip currents (and strong currents in higher-swell periods), alongside a rugged, rocky lava-stone entry with sharp reef and submerged hazards. The area is remote: sources note no lifeguards and no dedicated rescue service, and recommend preparing for lack of nearby support. Access involves a hike across rough lava terrain, and local tips emphasize hydration and proper footwear. Food and other beach amenities are not available at the beach itself, and emergency response relies on contacting local emergency services with major medical facilities located in the Kailua-Kona/Waimea area.
- Reliable winter surf
- Both lefts and rights from beach/reef breaks
- Offshore grooming with east-southeast/east winds
- Reliable winter surf with northwest groundswells
- Beach and reef break combination that can produce both lefts and rights
- Offshore east-southeast trade winds can groom the waves, especially in the morning
- Advanced-level hazards: sharks, rip currents, and strong currents
- Remote access with limited/absent rescue and no nearby facilities at the beach
- Conditions can become heavy on larger swells with reef/strong current interaction
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE
- Offshore directions
- ESE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing North-East trade winds are the primary influence.
- Reliability
- Moderate; offshore winds are typical in the morning.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Local trade-wind conditions with light gusting reported.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- High lava benches can create small wind shadows near the shoreline.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed black sand and pebbles reported.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Reported medium wave size.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Mixed/reef-influenced conditions can create variable chop; becomes heavy with strong currents on larger swells.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with patches of black sand and pebbles.
Through the year
Generally quiet due to the hike, but can get crowded when a prime swell hits.
November–March (Kona storms can bring heavy rain and erratic winds in winter months).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A reasonably exposed beach and reef break on Hawaii’s Big Island that can produce both lefts and rights, particularly during winter with northwest groundswells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, N, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reasonably exposed coastline with little shelter.
- Wind Effect
- East-southeast/east winds provide the cleanest offshore grooming for the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes heavy and challenging with strong currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported wave quality as good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reported as powerful, especially with the winter swell.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported typical peel/section speed as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer decent sections for turns and occasionally short barrels on the right tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Keawaiki Bay in the full forecast view.
Keawaiki Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- NNW340°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–0.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Keawaiki Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.6–0.9 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
- Sharks
- Rip currents
- Sharp reef
- Lava rocks
- Strong currents
- Isolation
- Submerged reef
- Sea urchins
- Reef bottom
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — None reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated rescue availability reported at this remote coastal point.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for emergencies; nearest major medical facility reported as Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local environment and keep the beach clean; the area is culturally significant.
- No dedicated lifeguard/rescue service at remote coastal points.
- Beware of rips and sharks.
- Known for sharks, especially after heavy rains or when there is high shark activity in the area. Be cautious.
- The hike across the lava field can be very hot; bring plenty of water.
- Footwear is essential for the walk and for navigating the rocky entry.
- This is a remote spot with no facilities or cell service in some areas.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kailua-Kona
- Nearest Town
- Puako
- Parking
- Limited parking available on the shoulder of Highway 19 near mile marker 79.
- Access
- Accessible via a 15-20 minute hike over a rugged lava trail from the main highway.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Resorts and vacation rentals available in the Waikoloa and Mauna Lani areas.
- Food & Drink
- None available at the beach; nearest options are in Waikoloa or Kawaihae.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Kailua-Kona offer board rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Handled via accommodations/vehicles; some storage may be available through shops or at accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs can be handled by shops in Kailua-Kona; specialized work may require traveling elsewhere.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
One of the island’s largest white-sand beaches, well suited for swimming and sunbathing.
An ancient Hawaiian temple built by Kamehameha the Great.
A scenic coastal hike through lava fields to a turquoise bay known for sea turtle sightings.
Popular beachfront dining and cocktails in the Waikoloa area.
Interactive dolphin encounters at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Keawaiki Bay?
The best overall months at Keawaiki Bay are January, February, March. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Keawaiki Bay?
Keawaiki Bay works with ESE winds. Offshore directions are ESE.
What skill level is Keawaiki Bay suitable for?
Keawaiki Bay suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.