Oahu
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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 8s with light E winds. The ENE wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 7s with moderate ENE wind around 10mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 20s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on E swell at 6s with 13mph from the ENE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 3-4ft and mostly poor - fair with 18mph out of the ENE.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 15s with 18mph out of the ENE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
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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 2-3ft with a 7.85s swell period. Wind is E at 12mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Diamond Head is 2-3ft, 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 Diamond Head is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 8.05s 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
