Oahu
Best window·Wednesday 10AM–1PM·4ft·Fair
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 3–5ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Steady 3-5ft waves on offer on SSE swell at 9s — light NE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 5–6ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Consistent 4-5ft surf through the day on SSW swell at 13s with 16mph out of the ENE.
Thu, Jul 2: 4–5ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 11s with 13mph out of the NE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Expect 3-5ft all day on SSE swell at 9s with 9mph NE winds — nothing amazing but surfable. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 15mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 3-5ft waves on S swell at 14s and 11mph from the ENE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
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 3-5ft with a 14.15s swell period. Wind is NE at 7mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Ala Moana Bowls is 3-5ft, produced by a 1.6ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 1.6ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.6ft SSW tertiary swell at 9s, a 3.4ft ENE wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Wednesday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 4ft waves, a 7.9s 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
