Keokea Beach Park
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Keokea Beach Park is a rugged North Kohala surfing spot with an exposed, rocky break and fairly consistent surf that can work throughout the year. The area is described as remote and difficult, with a short/abrupt ride character where waves break over rocks and the shoreline is unforgiving. The spot’s conditions are closely tied to currents and swell/wind matchups. Reports emphasize strong rip currents and heavy shorebreak, along with hazards from sharp boulders and submerged rocks. A man-made stone breakwater forms a small, slightly more protected pocket, but it is still dangerous during high surf. From a wind perspective, the broader North Kohala Coast typically features strong trade winds, and at the spot south to southeast winds are noted. South winds are described as offshore and can give cleaner faces, while trade wind conditions can make the water choppier. Local access and safety planning matter here: there are no lifeguards on duty, rescue is described as not available on-site, and cell reception is reportedly spotty. Expect a low-crowd environment, but surf entry and exits are not beginner-friendly—advanced riders should be prepared for washouts on very large winter swells and for limited recovery options if something goes wrong.
- Exposed rocky cove with heavy, powerful waves
- Works at all tide stages (with some guidance pointing to mid tide as particularly good)
- Very rarely crowded, more familiar to local experienced surfers
- Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf year-round
- Can work at all tide stages
- Very rarely gets crowded
- Advanced, challenging rocky entry and takeoff zone
- Strong rip currents and heavy shorebreak
- Frequent sharks sightings (area warning)
- No lifeguards and remote cell service
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind pattern reported for the North Kohala Coast; spot winds can include Kona (southwest) during storm periods, but regular trades dominate.
- Reliability
- High trade wind frequency, though the cove provides some shelter
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The high cliffs surrounding the park can create wind shadows near the shoreline
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Waves can be heavy and are described as powerful.
- Launch
- Small — Very limited and rocky; primarily composed of boulders and large stones.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Launch described as difficult; rocky entry required.
Through the year
Usually quiet on weekdays; can get busy with local families and picnickers on weekends.
Winter months (December to February) see higher rainfall; winter brings more frequent rain and larger, more hazardous swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Rugged, exposed surf in a rocky cove with strong currents and a challenging entry. Works best when swell and wind align; the shorebreak is described as heavy and the takeoff zone is small.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works at all tide stages; another guidance notes an optimal mid tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally exposed beach/reef conditions; a man-made stone breakwater creates a small, more-protected pocket.
- Wind Effect
- South winds are offshore and provide the cleanest faces; NE trades create choppy conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become extremely dangerous and ‘wash out’ during very large winter swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality overall.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Waves are heavy and break over rocks.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Short, fast rides that often end abruptly near the rocky shoreline or breakwater.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, fast rides that often end abruptly near the rocky shoreline or breakwater.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, fast rides that often end abruptly near the rocky shoreline or breakwater.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Keokea Beach Park in the full forecast view.
Keokea Beach Park wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–12 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- ENE66°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2312 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–1.8 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Keokea Beach Park is forecast for daytime winds of 4–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.2–1.8 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
- rips
- strong rip currents
- rocks
- sharp rocks and boulders
- heavy shorebreak
- sharks (frequent sightings in the North Kohala area)
- remote location with limited cell service
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards stationed at the park.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergencies; nearest medical facilities are in Kapa’au or Waimea (area emergency response is remote).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Primarily frequented by experienced locals; local etiquette is emphasized.
Rules of the spot
No specific posted sport rules, but local etiquette is highly emphasized due to the small takeoff zone.
- No lifeguards on duty
- Limited cell reception in the park
- Watch out for rips, sharks and rocks.
- The man-made boulder breakwater creates a small pool that is slightly more protected, but even this is dangerous during high surf.
- Exiting the water can be more difficult than entering due to the surge against the boulders.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kailua-Kona
- Nearest Town
- Kapaau
- Parking
- Paved parking lot available at the end of the access road; grassy picnic areas with parking available at the park.
- Access
- Accessible via Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270) followed by a winding paved road down to the coast.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited vacation rentals in Hawi and Kapaau; no camping allowed in the park.
- Food & Drink
- No concessions; shops and cafes are located in nearby Kapaau. Picnic pavilions and BBQ grills are on-site.
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 Keokea Beach Park?
The best overall months at Keokea Beach Park are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Keokea Beach Park?
Keokea Beach Park works with S, SE winds.
What skill level is Keokea Beach Park suitable for?
Keokea Beach Park suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.