Suicides 4
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Suicides 4 is an advanced reef break on the Puako Coast, where waves form over a shallow, sharp bottom with technical sections. The launch and exit involve lava rock and shallow reef flats, so conditions are hazardous if you’re not comfortable reading tide depth and navigating uneven, rocky access. Surf performance is typically best during winter months, especially January, when North Pacific swell is most consistent. Reported wave working range can reach roughly 1.0 to 2.5 meters, and the break can produce hollow, fast sections with short, punchy rides. The spot also has a notably high blowout tendency (monthly blown percentage reported at 51%), so even with swell, conditions can become inconsistent. East to Northeast winds are generally associated with cleaner, more offshore feel for surf quality, but wind reliability is described as low. Safety is a key consideration: the reef is very sharp and shallow, and low tide can be dangerously exposed. Strong currents can pull toward open ocean or move along the reef during larger swells, and sea urchins are present. Booties are strongly recommended, and surfers should strictly use public access paths and observe local priority when others are in the water.
- Winter-favorable North Pacific swell direction
- Advanced, technically demanding shallow reef
- Excellent water clarity in the Puako Coast environment
- Fast, powerful reef waves with technical sections for advanced surfing.
- Warm water and generally excellent visibility in the clear-water coastal environment.
- Very sharp, shallow reef makes the spot unsuitable for beginners.
- High blowout likelihood (monthly blown percentage reported at 51%).
- Risk of strong currents and a hazardous rocky entry/exit.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — E to NE trade-wind pattern with the spot often sheltered from strong easterly trades.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Often sheltered by the island’s landmass from strong easterly trades.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Reef break; working swell reported around 1.0–2.5 meters.
- Launch
- Small — Entry is typically across sharp lava rock and shallow reef flats.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult
Through the year
Quieter on weekdays; can become crowded with local surfers during optimal winter swells.
Rainfall is generally low, with occasional winter Kona storms bringing heavy rain and wind-direction shifts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A performance reef break with technical sections and a shallow bottom. It can become heavy and close out or wash over the reef on massive swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- East or Northeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out or wash over the reef on massive swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short, punchy rides with occasional hollow sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Provides short, punchy rides with occasional hollow sections; typical rides can be brief on this shallow reef.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Suicides 4 in the full forecast view.
Suicides 4 wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- NNW343°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Suicides 4 is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.6–1.2 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
- Sharp coral reef
- Shallow water depth
- Sea urchins
- Lava rock entry/exit
- Strong rip currents
- Sharp coral reef and lava rocks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No permanent lifeguards along the residential coast; emergency services are dispatched from nearby stations.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are located in Waimea or Kailua-Kona.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and the priority system; strictly follow public access paths to avoid private property.
- Booties are highly recommended due to the sharp reef and lava rock.
- The spot is sensitive to tide levels; low tide can be dangerously shallow.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kailua-Kona
- Nearest Town
- Puakō
- Nearest Airport
- Kona International Airport (KOA) ~25–30 miles away
- Parking
- Limited parallel parking along the residential road; ensure vehicles are completely off the pavement
- Public Transport
- Hele-On Bus offers limited regional connectivity; a rental car is essential for coastal access.
- Access
- Accessible via public shore access paths located between residential properties along Puako Beach Drive.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Extensive luxury vacation rentals and upscale resorts are in the neighboring Mauna Lani and Waikoloa areas.
- Food & Drink
- General store available in Puako; full restaurants in nearby Waikoloa or Mauna Lani.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at nearby resorts and specialized shops in Waikoloa and Kawaihae.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is limited to private vacation rentals or resort-based services.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and board repair services are available in Kawaihae and Kailua-Kona.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Puako Coast offers a tranquil, resident-focused feel with clear coastal visibility and nearby cultural and family attractions in the broader area.
One of the largest and most significant rock art sites in the Hawaiian Islands.
Historic Hawaiian aquaculture ponds located nearby in Mauna Lani.
Exceptional reef visibility and abundant green sea turtle populations.
Local pizza spot serving the residential Puako area.
A world-renowned white sand beach suited for family swimming and bodyboarding.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Suicides 4?
The best overall months at Suicides 4 are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Suicides 4?
Suicides 4 works with E, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, NE.
What skill level is Suicides 4 suitable for?
Suicides 4 suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.