Oahu
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the ENE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 8mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 7s and gentle NE breeze. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 20s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on E swell at 6s and 8mph from the ENE.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on SSW swell at 14s with strong ENE wind at 14mph.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SSW swell at 15s — 16mph ENE winds.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Ala Moana Bowls is a reef break located on Oahu's south shore, offering consistent, well-formed waves with a distinctive bowl-shaped formation that creates fun, playful peaks. The break works best during winter months when southern swells wrap around the island, providing solid shoulders and manageable sections suitable for intermediate surfers. Protected by the Ala Moana reef structure, the waves peel predictably and offer a great alternative to the more famous nearby breaks when you want a bit more elbow room.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ala Moana Bowls is 1-2ft with a 7.85s swell period. Wind is ENE at 4mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Ala Moana Bowls is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.8ft ENE primary swell at 8s, a 1.3ft SSE secondary swell at 6s, a 1ft SSE tertiary swell at 11s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Ala Moana Bowls is Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ala Moana Bowls works best with a S swell and NW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Ala Moana Bowls. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Ala Moana Bowls is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Ala Moana Bowls is a reef break located on Oahu's south shore, offering consistent, well-formed waves with a distinctive bowl-shaped formation that creates fun, playful peaks. The break works best during winter months when southern swells wrap around the island, providing solid shoulders and manageable sections suitable for intermediate surfers. Protected by the Ala Moana reef structure, the waves peel predictably and offer a great alternative to the more famous nearby breaks when you want a bit more elbow room.
The prime season at Ala Moana Bowls is winter, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Ala Moana Bowls include shallow reef, sea urchins, currents, crowded during peak conditions. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ala Moana Bowls forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
