Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Lymans is a left-hand reef and point break along Holualoa Bay’s Kona coastline, with reasonably consistent surf and a reputation for long, peeling rides on the reef. It’s an exposed spot and best suited to intermediate surfers, with conditions improving when a west swell is in the water. The wave shape is described as peeling, with moderate overall power; on optimal swells it can peel for extensive distances along the reef. A mid-tide window is reported as the preferred tide timing. Safety-wise, expect a technical entry involving a jump-off from lava rocks near Ali'i Drive. Timing matters to avoid getting pushed back onto the lava, and riders should be ready for hazards across the riding area, including sharp rocks and sea urchins. On larger days, strong southerly drift currents can become a major factor, and the spot can also have crowding at peak times. Wind/texture matters: the cleanest conditions are reported in the morning with light offshore winds. As the day progresses, a diurnal sea-breeze/thermal pattern can bring onshore afternoon choppiness, so many sessions are best planned around the morning window and careful swell timing.
- Long, peeling left-hand reef rides
- Most reliable when a west swell is on
- Technical lava-rock entry and reef hazards
- Long, peeling left-hand reef/point waves with reasonably consistent surf
- Best performance aligns with west swells, especially in winter
- Water temperatures are warm year-round (mid-20s °C)
- Technical rocky entry with a jump-off from lava rocks
- Hazards include sharp lava rocks and sea urchins
- Strong southerly drift currents can occur during large swell events
- Conditions can get choppy later as afternoon sea breezes develop
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Offshore directions
- E, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Diurnal sea-breeze pattern with light offshore winds in the morning and light onshore sea-breeze conditions later.
- Reliability
- Heavily sheltered from the trade winds by surrounding mountains, which can mean glassy but also lighter wind/variable conditions.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Thermal enhancement later in the day; mornings tend to be calmer.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Spot is reported to be heavily sheltered from trade winds by Hualalai and Mauna Loa mountains.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks/lava rocks and reef bottom.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small; other sources describe medium size and larger swell capability.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Mornings tend to be cleaner; afternoon sea breezes can add chop.
- Launch
- Small — A specific jump-off point from lava rocks along Ali'i Drive between residential homes.
Through the year
Consistently busy year-round, especially during peak winter swell periods.
Occasional tropical storms from June to November; wet season November to March with Kona storms reported December to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Lymans is a left-hand reef/point break on the Kona coast that offers reasonably consistent surf, with long, peeling walls best on west swells. It is best suited to intermediate to advanced surfers and can handle significant swell size, but entry is technical.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Reported as best at mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Fairly exposed reef and point with limited built-in wind/swell protection.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest in the morning with light offshore winds; becomes choppy with afternoon sea breezes.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles large swells well and can produce long, powerful walls, but strong currents become a major factor.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally good quality and relatively consistent when conditions align.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power; can become more powerful on bigger days.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Long, peeling left-hand point/reef break.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling walls with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides; on optimal swells, the wave can peel for over 100 meters along the reef.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride distances are reported as 100–200 meters, with over 100 meters on optimal swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou) in the full forecast view.
Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- WSW242°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 287 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.9–1.7 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- sea urchins
- submerged lava rocks
- sharp coral reef
- strong currents during large swell events
- crowded peak
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability for the exact spot is reported as none; regional rescue coverage exists via local units and major beach-park lifeguards, but not a permanent base indicated specifically at this named spot.
- Emergency Info
- Kona Community Hospital is approximately 15 minutes away in Kealakekua; dial 911 for emergency services.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local lineup behavior is emphasized; moderate localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Time your jump from the rocks between sets to avoid being pushed back onto the lava.
- Watch out for shallow reef sections on the inside during low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kailua-Kona
- Nearest Town
- Kahaluu-Keauhou
- Nearest Airport
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)
- Parking
- Limited parallel parking is available along the side of Ali'i Drive.
- Public Transport
- Limited; rental cars are the primary mode of transport.
- Access
- Shoreline access via Ali'i Drive with a rocky entry point/jump-off area between residential homes on Ali'i Drive.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation is available along Ali'i Drive and in the nearby Keauhou area; specific examples are reported as about 0.8 miles and 1.9 miles away.
- Food & Drink
- Various cafes and restaurants are available within a short drive in Kailua-Kona or at the Keauhou Shopping Center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is reported as available at surf shops in Kailua-Kona and near Kahalu'u Beach Park.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair services are available at surf shops in Kailua-Kona.
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 Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou)?
The best overall months at Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou) are January, February, March, November, December. The best wind months are January.
What skill level is Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou) suitable for?
Lymans (Kahaluu-Keauhou) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.