Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Medium waves
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

P C Cs is a reef break on the windward side of Oʻahu near Laie, directly across from the Polynesian Cultural Center. The break has fairly consistent surf and typically offers both left and right waves, with conditions often described as more forgiving than the more exposed and powerful classic North Shore peaks. Surfing works best when the swell lines up from the north-east through east (with sources also mentioning north). Optimal swell height is reported around 1.0 to 2.5 meters, and a mid-tide is generally recommended to reduce the chance of contacting shallow reef. When the swell energy is too strong from the north, the waves can deteriorate quickly—closing out or turning very messy. Because the area is reefy, the main safety concern is shallow reef and rocks, especially if timing or spacing is off at the takeoff/landing zones. Strong currents are also noted as a risk, and the break is exposed, so wind conditions can strongly affect wave cleanliness. Trade winds dominate; winds that shift toward the south or south-west are needed for cleaner, more offshore behavior. Crowding is a recurring factor, with reports of “sometimes crowded” conditions and regular presence of local students during the academic year. There are no dedicated water-sports rescue boats reported on standby, and lifeguards are not specifically indicated at this spot—so surfers should plan for self-managed safety and follow local etiquette given the active community presence.

  • Both left and right waves on a reef break
  • Mid-tide recommended to avoid shallow reef
  • Reef/rocks + current risk; exposed to trade-wind changes
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Consistent reef break with both left and right waves.
  • Generally more manageable than the biggest North Shore breaks.
  • Trades provide reliable wind for wind-driven conditions, with afternoon thermal reinforcement possible.
Heads up
  • Reef and rocks create a higher risk if you misjudge depth or tide.
  • Can get messy or close out with excessive north swell energy.
  • Often crowded with local students during the academic year.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
NE, E, SE
Offshore directions
SE, SSE, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Trade — North East Trade Winds (northeasterly trade winds / gradient trades).
Reliability
high
Gust Factor
Steady
Best Months
January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
Shadow Zones
Minimal due to the exposed coastline

Water & beach

Water Type
Medium waves
Beach
Sand
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium
Launch
Small — Sandy beach entry directly across from the cultural center.
Launch Difficulty
Easy — Sandy beach entry with straightforward access points.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
24–28 °C
Water Temperature
23–30 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 2mm shorty (or 1mm neoprene top/rash guard for milder winter conditions)Apr–Oct: Shorty or 2mm spring suit (often a rash guard/1mm top is sufficient most of the year)
Crowds by Season

Regularly crowded with local students during the academic year

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy season typically runs from November to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A consistent reef break offering both left and right waves. Generally more forgiving than heavier North Shore breaks, but can become very messy or close out with excessive north swell energy.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
NE, E, N
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid-tide helps reduce the chance of hitting shallow reef.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed coastline; fewer natural wind/swell protections than enclosed breaks.
Wind Effect
Highly sensitive to trade winds; south or south-west winds are needed for clean, offshore conditions.
Bigger Swell
Can close out or become very messy with excessive north swell energy.
Wave Quality
Average
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium
Ride Length Details
Can connect across the reef on larger swells; provides decent rides when waves hold.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for P C Cs in the full forecast view.

P C Cs wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
4–12 ktsGusts 29 kts
Direction
ENE66°
Strongest day
Wed, Oct 2812 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.3–2.0 m9s period
Temperature
23–28 °C

Over the next 7 days, P C Cs is forecast for daytime winds of 4–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.3–2.0 m with a period of about 9s. 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
  • Shallow reef
  • Strong currents
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
Wetsuit

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated water-sports rescue boats reported on standby; lifeguards patrol specific beach parks during daylight hours, with local rescue coverage associated with Honolulu-area services.
Emergency Info
Nearest emergency number: 911. Nearest medical facility reported: Kahuku Medical Center (Kahuku).
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — High volume of local riders from the community and nearby university.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the high volume of local riders from the nearby university and community.

Local Tips
  • Often used as a backup spot when North Shore is too large.
  • Best to surf on mid-tide to avoid hitting the reef.
  • Conditions can be sensitive to the trades; winds that shift toward south or south-west are needed for cleaner, more offshore conditions.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Honolulu
Nearest Town
Laie
Nearest Airport
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
Parking
Limited roadside parking or nearby public parking areas
Public Transport
Served by TheBus with routes along Kamehameha Highway (e.g., Route 60). Also reported as limited bus access to coastal areas.
Access
Accessible via Kamehameha Highway, with entry points near the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Various vacation rentals and local inns in Laie.
Food & Drink
Numerous restaurants and food trucks at the Polynesian Cultural Center and Hukilau Marketplace.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: Winter months offer the most consistent swells.
Polynesian Cultural Center1 km
Laie Hawaii Temple2 km
Gunstock Ranch5 km
Malaekahana State Recreation Area0 km
Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at P C Cs?

The best overall months at P C Cs are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at P C Cs?

P C Cs works with NE, E, SE winds. Offshore directions are SE, SSE, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

What skill level is P C Cs suitable for?

P C Cs suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.