Lahilahi Point
- Longboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Lahilahi Point is an exposed reef and point break in Mākaha Valley that produces dependable surf year-round. It’s characterized as a right-hand point/reef wave that peels off the point, with consistency described across conditions when the right swell and wind line up. The spot is most often associated with west to west-northwest swell, and it tends to work best when surf comes in from the west. For clean, groomed surf, offshore northeast trade winds are reported to be the key wind direction—conditions are described as offshore from the NE, which helps the wave faces. Safety is a major consideration here: the break is on a reef with sharp rock and strong currents. Hazards reported for the spot include rocks and sharks, and strong rip currents are possible during large swells. Peak winter swells can make the wave very heavy and dangerous, particularly for less experienced riders. Rescue availability is described as not available at the spot, and lifeguards are not reported at this specific launch. Access can be tight, with a narrow public path/alleyway used to reach the point and shoreline. Parking is extremely limited along the main road, so plan accordingly. Local guidance emphasizes respecting access routes and local surfers, and it’s noted that the area is frequently shared with sea turtles—maintain a respectful distance.
- Offshore northeast winds can groom the wave faces
- Right-hand reef/point wave with dependable surf
- Hazards include sharp reef/rocks and sharks, plus strong current risk during larger swells
- Dependable reef/point surf that can work year-round
- Offshore northeast winds can produce clean wave faces
- Generally consistent waves, especially during winter swell season
- Exposed reef/point break with sharp reef and rocks
- Can become very heavy and dangerous on peak winter swells
- Strong currents/rip currents possible during large swells
- No on-spot rescue availability reported and lifeguards not present at the spot
- Parking is extremely limited
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Offshore northeast trade winds help groom the wave faces.
- Reliability
- High during trade wind season
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate-gusts.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- The large granite formation of Mount Lahilahi creates a significant wind shadow on the leeward side
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Reef setting; one source also describes sand access at the approach beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium; can become very heavy on peak winter swells.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach entry at Papaoneone Beach; paddle out from sand to the north rather than over rocks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate.
Through the year
Can be crowded on weekends and during prime winter swells.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef and point break with dependable surf year-round; produces a right-hand point/reef break that peels off the point.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Optimal Tide
- High — Optimal tide is reported as high.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Overall setting is exposed. One source additionally describes semi-sheltered characteristics for the break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore northeast trade winds groom the wave faces for cleaner conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become very heavy and dangerous for inexperienced riders during peak winter swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; also described as producing consistent waves.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful and can become very heavy in peak winter swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hand point/reef wave.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer a long, peeling ride on the right swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Medium ride length; can offer a long, peeling right-hand ride when conditions are good.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lahilahi Point in the full forecast view.
Lahilahi Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- NE54°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2910 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.4 m12s period
- Temperature
- 21–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lahilahi Point is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.9–1.4 m with a period of about 12s. 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
- Sharp reef
- Strong currents
- Potentially large boulders
- Strong rip currents possible during large swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the spot; rescue availability is generally limited for remote sections of the coast.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level data states no rescue availability; regional context notes limited immediate rescue response outside major beach parks.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services are reached via 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism is noted; respect local surfers and access routes.
Rules of the spot
Be respectful of local surfers; use designated public beach access paths to respect private property and cultural sites.
- Stay on designated public beach access paths.
- Paddle out from the sandy beach to the north of the point rather than over the rocks.
- Maintain a respectful distance because the spot is frequently shared with sea turtles.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Honolulu
- Nearest Town
- Mākaha
- Nearest Airport
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Parking
- Extremely limited street parking along Farrington Highway.
- Public Transport
- TheBus serves the Farrington Highway corridor.
- Access
- Public access is via a narrow path between high-rise condos (described as a small alleyway between the Hawaiian Princess and The Cottages at Mauna Lahilahi).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach is directly adjacent to the point; accommodations also available in nearby towns.
- Food & Drink
- Local eateries and grocery stores are located nearby in Makaha and Waianae.
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 Lahilahi Point?
The best overall months at Lahilahi Point are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Lahilahi Point?
Lahilahi Point works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Lahilahi Point suitable for?
Lahilahi Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.