Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kohala Lighthouse is a remote, exposed reef break on Hawaiʻi Island’s north coast that’s known for consistent surf and powerful, at-times barreling lefts and rights. The break is described as excellent to powerful, but it’s also highly conditional—especially on wind and sea state. Access is a major part of the experience and risk profile. Sources emphasize that there is no public access and that you typically need to find a trusted local guide to reach the spot via a cattle gate and a walk down a path. Reports also warn about leaving your car before the walk and note that tourists’ cars may be targeted if noticed. Safety is the other defining feature. Hazards repeatedly mentioned include rocks/sharp reef, sea urchins, and sharks (with tiger sharks specifically noted). Currents and strong rips are especially dangerous during larger swells, and limited exit options make the spot unforgiving. Lifeguards and on-water rescue coverage are not available, so self-sufficiency and buddy systems are essential. For performance planning, winter months are the most consistently favorable for swell, and one source gives an optimal swell-height range of roughly 1.5 to 4.0 meters with north/NW/WNW swell directions. Tide guidance is somewhat mixed across sources, but high to mid tide is commonly referenced—so tide checks are strongly recommended before entering or exiting the rocks.
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf
- Powerful waves; potential for barreling
- Winter swells are a key factor for consistency
- Consistent exposed reef surf
- Powerful waves with potential for barreling lefts and rights
- Advanced-level challenge for experienced surfers
- Remote with no public access; access typically requires a trusted local guide
- Highly hazardous reef environment with strong currents/rips, sharp lava rocks, and sea urchins
- Wind can frequently blow the spot out; conditions can become choppy and less rideable
- No lifeguards or dedicated rescue coverage
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE, SW
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind influenced; spot can be blown out and is sensitive to wind direction.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Heavier gusting is indicated for this spot.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs to the south can provide some local wind protection.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky coastal composition at launch.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Surf can reach big sizes, especially on winter swells.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Trades can create choppy conditions when wind hits it side-on.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with limited entry points.
Through the year
Can get busy with local riders during peak swells in winter; very quiet during summer months.
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break on the northern coast with consistent, powerful surf and lefts/rights that can barrel. Extremely sensitive to wind and conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- High, Mid — Sources conflict slightly on tide preference (high vs mid vs all).
- Shelter
- Exposed — No meaningful shelter; open, exposed reef break.
- Wind Effect
- Trade winds can side-onshore it and create choppy conditions; it needs more favorable wind (including S/SE/SW or lighter winds) to stay clean.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but becomes extremely dangerous with heavy currents and limited exit options.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Overall quality is described as excellent by one source; another describes it as good but highly variable with wind.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful surf with potential for barreling.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Often described as powerful and at-times barreling lefts and rights; one source also notes a peeling profile.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling, not too fast.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer rides between 50 and 150 meters depending on swell direction.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Depending on swell direction, rides can be 50 to 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island) in the full forecast view.
Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–14 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- ENE58°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.9 m8s period
- Temperature
- 25–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.1–1.9 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- sharks
- sea urchins
- sharp reef
- strong currents
- remote location
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for this remote area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-water rescue services reported; be self-sufficient and use a buddy system.
- Emergency Info
- Very remote; dial 911 for emergency response. Nearest medical facility mentioned is Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital (Waimea), about a 45-minute drive.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local guidance/access knowledge is important and access is restricted.
Rules of the spot
Standard Hawaiian surf etiquette applies; respect local presence in the water.
- No public access
- Need a trusted local guide to reach the spot; it is not suitable to hunt for the location alone.
- Avoid surfing alone due to the high frequency of tiger shark sightings in the Kohala area.
- Check tide carefully—getting in and out over the rocks is hazardous at low tide.
- Leave car at the cattle gate; there are reports of tourists having cars targeted if spotted.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Halaula
- Nearest Town
- Halaula
- Parking
- Leave car at the cattle gate; unpaved pull-offs described near the lighthouse/airport area. Reports note the risk of cars being targeted if discovered.
- Access
- No public access. Access described as requiring a trusted local guide: drive to the northern part of the island, go down a small road to a cattle gate, leave the car, and carry all equipment; then walk about 15 minutes down a path. 4x4/4WD is recommended/required especially after rain.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Hawi or Kapaau (regionally described as limited accommodation around Hawi and Kapaau).
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants in Hawi town are referenced.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental shops at the northern tip; gear must be rented in Kailua-Kona or brought in.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A dramatic overlook with views of the rugged coastline and a hike down to a black sand beach.
One of the oldest and most significant sacrificial temples in Hawaii, near the northern tip.
The original statue of King Kamehameha I located in the town of Kapaau.
Guided tours through historic irrigation flumes and tunnels of North Kohala.
A local favorite in Hawi serving island-inspired cuisine in a historic building.
A charming, walkable town with art galleries, ice cream shops, and local boutiques.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island)?
The best overall months at Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island) are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island)?
Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island) works with S, SE, SW winds.
What skill level is Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island) suitable for?
Kohala Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.