Rabbit Manana Island
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Rabbit Manana Island is an exposed offshore reef spot off Oahu’s southeast coast (near Makapu’u) with ocean-exposed conditions and consistently energetic surf. Sources describe a mix of right-hand reef waves and left-hand waves, with the break wrapping around the island. Surf is described as fairly consistent year-round, with improved options tied to north/NE swell angles. Access and on-water safety are core constraints. Multiple sources emphasize that landing on the island or its beach is prohibited due to State Seabird Sanctuary protections, and that getting there is typically by boat or jet ski rather than paddling from Makapu’u. Currents and rip tides between the island and the main shore can be strong enough to move paddlers/riders away, and the site is described as isolated with limited/no spot-level rescue support. When conditions are right, the wave quality is described as good, with peeling reef sections. Working swell is described as north to north-northeast (and north/northeast-focused angles), and one source gives an operational swell-height window for the reef break (about 1.5 to 3.0 meters). Crowds can still form in the water when surf is up, so managing positioning around rocks and maintaining situational awareness matters. Hazards include rocks/submerged reef, strong currents, and shark presence (including reported White Tip Reef, Tiger, and Gray sharks). Local guidance strongly advises avoiding unsafe paddling attempts and, if going out, using a support craft for a safer plan.
- Exposed reef/offshore break with fairly consistent surf
- North/NE swell favored; right-hand reef behavior described
- Landing on the island is prohibited (bird sanctuary protections)
- Consistently exposed surf with fairly consistent conditions year-round.
- Reef sections can produce high-performance, high-energy waves (especially with the right north/NE swell).
- Water described as crystal-clear and ocean-exposed in the reef area.
- Severely limited logistics: requires boat or jet ski; landing is prohibited.
- Strong currents and rip tides between island and shore; Moloka'i Express current can carry riders away.
- Shallow sharp reef with submerged rocks.
- Shark presence is reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing North-East trade winds; best when conditions align for clean offshore flow.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- The island itself creates a significant wind shadow on its leeward side.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sources describe sandy/near-sand composition in at least one view, while the main break is over reef.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — One source describes small; another describes medium with reef-driven high-performance potential.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launching is not available from shore; access is typically by boat/jet ski and landing is prohibited.
- Shore Break
- Small — Moderate shore break is also described.
Through the year
Low due to difficult access, but can have a tight group of local experts on good swells.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Accessible only by boat for advanced/experts with support craft; long runs possible but conditions are challenging around reef and swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly access/conditions described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters over the reef
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Rabbit Manana Island is described as an exposed reef/offshore break with fairly consistent surf. Sources describe both right-hand and left-hand waves, with reef sections wrapping around the island; conditions can be isolated with strong currents.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NE, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Best offshore conditions described for south winds; trades are side-shore, with light Kona winds described as cleanest offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds north-northeast swell/groundswells; becomes extremely dangerous with heavy currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft — A second source describes the break as high-performance/powerful; overall power is described as capable of serious conditions with strong currents.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Described as fat and slow in one source; another source describes fast peeling on offshore reef break.
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer right/reef sections with fast, walling moments that taper into deeper water; another source notes fat, slow waves.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rabbit Manana Island in the full forecast view.
Rabbit Manana Island wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–14 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NE53°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2814 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Rabbit Manana Island is forecast for daytime winds of 7–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.4–2.6 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- shallow sharp reef
- submerged rocks
- strong channel currents and rip tides
- Moloka'i Express current can carry divers/riders away
- sharks (White Tip Reef, Tiger, Gray)
- isolation (access is by boat/jet ski)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level sources list rescue as no; regional baseline describes limited rescue availability with major beach coverage at larger parks.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for US Coast Guard or Honolulu Ocean Safety; nearest help referenced at Makapu'u or Waimanalo.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Landing on the island or its beach is strictly prohibited by law due to State Seabird Sanctuary protections.
- No landing on the island
- No walking on the reef
- Bird sanctuary protections apply
- Take care with rocks and crowds when surf is up.
- Be extremely cautious of strong currents if you are near the island.
- Do not attempt to paddle from Makapu'u Beach unless you are an elite-level paddler with knowledge of the currents.
- Use a boat or jet ski with a driver for safety and rescue readiness.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- East Honolulu
- Nearest Town
- East Honolulu
- Parking
- Parking available at Makapu'u Beach Park along Kalanianaole Highway.
- Access
- Access via Makapu'u Beach Park on Kalanianaole Highway; the island is offshore and not directly accessible for launching from the island itself—surfing likely occurs in the waters near the island from Makapu'u Beach.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Waimanalo or hotels in Waikiki (regionally near East Honolulu).
- Food & Drink
- None at the island; supplies must be brought by boat.
- Equipment Rental:
- None specifically at/near the island; gear typically must be brought from Honolulu (regional baseline notes rentals available in the area).
- Gear Storage
- None at the island.
- Gear Repair
- None specifically at the island; repair available through shops in greater Honolulu (regional baseline).
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 Rabbit Manana Island?
The best overall months at Rabbit Manana Island are January, February, March, November, December. The best wind months are November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Rabbit Manana Island?
Rabbit Manana Island works with NE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Rabbit Manana Island?
Recommended equipment sizes at Rabbit Manana Island: Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Rabbit Manana Island suitable for?
Rabbit Manana Island suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Beginner to Expert.