Nanakuli Blackrocks
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Nanakuli Blackrocks is an exposed beach-break area on O‘ahu that works best in June, with offshore winds commonly blowing from the east-northeast. Conditions can range from clean to smaller, and the site is known for a mix of wave types influenced by swell size and direction. The spot’s shoreline and nearshore are hazardous: sharp rocks/lava formations and sea urchins are present, and sharks are listed among hazards. During larger swells, strong currents and heavy shorebreak can increase the danger significantly, and local jumping areas around the Black Rocks require extra caution due to variable depth. For surfing, the break is described as exposed with rocky sections. It tends to produce short rides with steep, fast waves that often close out on the shore or rocks. Offshore E/NE winds help groom the wave face; optimal swell direction is reported as south to southwest, with an indicated working swell height of about 1.0–2.5 meters. Local context matters here: localism is noted as moderate, and the crowd can be sometimes crowded depending on timing (with summer weekends often busiest per regional seasonal notes). Safety and respect are emphasized—use standard surf etiquette, stay alert to strong currents, and keep your leash on.
- Offshore E/ENE winds that groom waves
- June is the best month
- Rocky Black Rocks area with variable depth—use caution
- Offshore winds from the east-northeast can groom waves
- Best surf month is June
- Clean-wave share is relatively higher than blown-out conditions (monthly clean vs small/blown mix)
- Rocky, sea-urchin bottom and heavy shorebreak risk wipeouts
- Strong rip currents possible during larger swells
- Moderate localism; may be crowded at times
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE, ENE
- Offshore directions
- ENE, NE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Offshore winds often blow from the east-northeast.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- June
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs and shoreline terrain can create some wind shadows right at the waterline.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Sand with mixed rocky/lava outcrops.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Surf conditions vary; can range from small to occasional cleaner sets depending on the month and swell.
- Chop Level
- Light chop
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with rocky outcrops toward the northern end.
Through the year
Most crowded during summer weekends and school holidays.
Winter months (December to March) see more frequent rain and occasional storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach break with rocky sections; conditions are best in June. Clean-to-small wave mix varies month-to-month, with offshore winds from the east-northeast.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the East North East help groom the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become dangerous with heavy shorebreak and strong currents.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Exposed conditions; becomes more active with summer south swells.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, steep waves that often close out on the shore or the rocks.
- Ride Length Details
- Often short due to fast takeoff and shore/rock closure.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nanakuli Blackrocks in the full forecast view.
Nanakuli Blackrocks wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ENE60°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2910 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.3 m12s period
- Temperature
- 21–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Nanakuli Blackrocks is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–1.3 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
- Strong currents
- Heavy shorebreak
- Sea urchins
- Sharks
- Localism
- Submerged rocks
- Sharp lava rock formations (around the Black Rocks area)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 911. Nearest emergency services are in Kapolei.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local surfing community presence; sometimes crowded.
Rules of the spot
Practice standard surf etiquette and respect the local community.
- Be cautious of the 'Black Rocks' area used for jumping; water depth can vary.
- The shorebreak can be significantly more powerful than it appears from the beach.
- Watch for strong rip currents during larger swells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kapolei
- Nearest Town
- Nanakuli
- Parking
- Public parking lot available at the beach park, though it can fill up quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- TheBus serves the coastline via routes along Farrington Highway; carrying large gear is restricted to off-peak times and specific items.
- Access
- Accessible via Farrington Highway at Nanakuli Beach Park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Nanakuli or hotels in the Ko Olina and Kapolei area.
- Food & Drink
- Convenience stores and local eateries are located along the main highway nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Extensive surf and SUP rentals are available in Kapolei and Ko Olina; dedicated windsurf or kiteboarding rentals are limited and often require travel from Honolulu or the North Shore.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to resort-based services in Ko Olina or private arrangements; no dedicated public gear storage facilities exist along the coast.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Kapolei-to-Ko Olina corridor blends resort infrastructure with nearby community beaches, with seasonal surf tourism when larger swells arrive.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Nanakuli Blackrocks?
The best overall months at Nanakuli Blackrocks are June.
Which wind directions work at Nanakuli Blackrocks?
Nanakuli Blackrocks works with E, NE, ENE winds. Offshore directions are ENE, NE, E.
What skill level is Nanakuli Blackrocks suitable for?
Nanakuli Blackrocks suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.