Oahu
Best window·Tuesday 6AM–9AM·4ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Diamond Head, 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 — 11mph from the NE.
Wed, Jul 1: 4–5ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Morning kicks off with 4-5ft on SSW swell at 13s.
Thu, Jul 2: 4–5ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 11s and 16mph ENE winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on SSE swell at 9s and 13mph from the ENE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-5ft waves on S swell at 14s with 14mph ENE winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Diamond Head is a series of shallow reef breaks along the south shore of Oahu just east of Waikiki, best known for Cliffs, Lighthouse, and Suicides. The waves break over sharp, shallow reef and fire on south swells that wrap into the coast from May through September — this is a summer spot, not a winter one. The take-offs are fast and the reef is unforgiving, making it a step up from Waikiki and not a beginner wave. Expect a crowded, competitive lineup with strong local presence and spectacular views of the volcanic crater.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Diamond Head is 3-5ft with a 14.25s swell period. Wind is NE at 10mph 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 Diamond Head is 3-5ft, produced by a 1.6ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1.6ft SSE secondary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft SSW tertiary swell at 10s, a 3.7ft ENE wind swell swell at 5s. 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 Diamond Head is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 14.15s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Diamond Head works best with a SSW swell and N 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 Diamond Head. 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.
Diamond Head is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Diamond Head is a series of shallow reef breaks along the south shore of Oahu just east of Waikiki, best known for Cliffs, Lighthouse, and Suicides. The waves break over sharp, shallow reef and fire on south swells that wrap into the coast from May through September — this is a summer spot, not a winter one. The take-offs are fast and the reef is unforgiving, making it a step up from Waikiki and not a beginner wave. Expect a crowded, competitive lineup with strong local presence and spectacular views of the volcanic crater.
The prime season at Diamond Head is summer, 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 Diamond Head include shallow reef, strong currents, crowds, localism, urchins, sharp coral. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Diamond Head 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.
