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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • 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
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
24–28 °C
Water Temperature
20–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Dec: 1mm-2mm neoprene topMar–Nov: Boardshorts to 1mm neoprene top (when needed)
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded on weekends and during prime winter swells.

Storm/Rain Season

November to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef and point break with dependable surf year-round; produces a right-hand point/reef break that peels off the point.

Reef break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashWetsuit

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.

Restrictions
  • Stay on designated public beach access paths.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.