Kauai – Hanalei Bay
Hanalei, Hawaii (Kauai North Shore), United States
Sports: Surfing, SUP
Best time to go: January–February, December
Hanalei Bay is a two-mile crescent of sand backed by mountains on the north shore of Kauai. In winter, north and north-west swells wrap around the eastern point and break as a long, powerful right on the outer reef known as the Bowl, while sandbars along the beach, such as Pine Trees, offer smaller and friendlier peaks. Southerly and south-easterly winds blow offshore.
The outer reef is a long paddle and handles large swell, so it suits strong, experienced surfers; currents in the bay can be strong when the surf is big. On small days the inside sections are good for intermediate surfers and stand-up paddlers. From May to September the bay is often completely flat and the river mouth area is used for swimming and paddling. The north shore road can close after heavy rain.
Month by month at Kauai – Hanalei Bay
- January: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 2.9 m, water 25°C, air 25°C (nights 19°C), 28 sunny days, 17 rainy days
- February: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 24°C, air 24°C (nights 19°C), 25 sunny days, 21 rainy days
- March: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 2.4 m, water 24°C, air 25°C (nights 20°C), 29 sunny days, 26 rainy days
- April: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 25°C, air 25°C (nights 20°C), 27 sunny days, 27 rainy days
- May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 25°C, air 25°C (nights 21°C), 29 sunny days, 31 rainy days
- June: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 26°C, air 26°C (nights 22°C), 30 sunny days, 28 rainy days
- July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 26°C, air 27°C (nights 22°C), 31 sunny days, 31 rainy days
- August: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 27°C, air 27°C (nights 23°C), 31 sunny days, 30 rainy days
- September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 27°C, air 28°C (nights 23°C), 29 sunny days, 26 rainy days
- October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 2 m, water 27°C, air 27°C (nights 22°C), 29 sunny days, 25 rainy days
- November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 2.6 m, water 27°C, air 26°C (nights 22°C), 28 sunny days, 25 rainy days
- December: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 26°C, air 25°C (nights 20°C), 28 sunny days, 21 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing at Kauai – Hanalei Bay?
January–February, December, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Kauai – Hanalei Bay?
24°C to 27°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, a shorty or lycra in the coolest.
How windy is Kauai – Hanalei Bay?
About 2 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in January.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Kauai – Hanalei Bay
- Oahu – Haleiwa (159 km)
- Oahu – Pipeline (161 km)
- Oahu – Waimea Bay (162 km)
- Oahu – Kailua Beach (204 km)
More: All spots in United States · Surfing in United States · SUP in United States
Compare with: Kauai – Hanalei Bay vs Oahu – Haleiwa · Kauai – Hanalei Bay vs Oahu – Pipeline