Radz (Pūpūkea)

Radz (Pūpūkea) is an exposed North Shore reef break known for consistent, high-performance surf and challenging conditions over shallow rock. The spot’s best season centers on winter, with January highlighted as the top month, and it’s rated 4 overall for wave quality. In typical winter setups, conditions often feature powerful, fast, hollow waves with both right and left-handers. Offshore NE trade winds help groom the faces and keep barrels open, but that same exposure means the break can become very heavy and dangerous when larger swell arrives—sometimes closing out or washing through the wider Pūpūkea area. Safety is a major consideration here: sharp lava reef and submerged rocks make wipeouts high-risk, and strong rip currents are common, particularly during large swells. Local guidance emphasizes waiting for mid-tide to reduce the chance of striking the reef on low tide, and awareness of the local “Pūpūkea current,” which can pull surfers toward Rocky Point. Access is via the Kamehameha Highway corridor around Ehukai Beach Park, followed by a walk toward Rocky Point to reach the Radz section of the coast. Lifeguards are described as not present at the spot itself, with professional coverage typically associated with Ehukai Beach Park to the north, and emergency care is reached through 911.