Oahu
Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 23mph.
Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 23mph.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Sunset Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Sunset Beach, Oahu. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 23mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 23mph ENE winds.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 19mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 13s with strong E wind at 17mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with 23mph E winds.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Sunset Beach turns Good.
Check Sunset Beach from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Sunset Beach is one of Oahu's most iconic and powerful winter breaks, located on the North Shore where consistent Pacific swells create world-class waves that can reach 20+ feet. The beach break offers a mix of playful smaller waves during calm periods and serious barreling peaks when swell is up, making it a premier destination for experienced surfers seeking challenging conditions. Known for its dramatic seasonal transformation and vibrant surf culture, Sunset attracts international competitors and dedicated locals who respect the ocean's raw power.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Sunset Beach is 1-2ft with a 7.6s swell period. Wind is ENE at 23mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Sunset Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 7.2ft ENE wind swell swell at 8s, a 2.3ft E secondary swell at 13s, a 2.1ft SSW tertiary swell at 15s, a 1.1ft SSW 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 Sunset Beach is Saturday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 13.9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Sunset Beach works best with a N swell and S 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 Sunset Beach. 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.
Sunset Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Sunset Beach is one of Oahu's most iconic and powerful winter breaks, located on the North Shore where consistent Pacific swells create world-class waves that can reach 20+ feet. The beach break offers a mix of playful smaller waves during calm periods and serious barreling peaks when swell is up, making it a premier destination for experienced surfers seeking challenging conditions. Known for its dramatic seasonal transformation and vibrant surf culture, Sunset attracts international competitors and dedicated locals who respect the ocean's raw power.
The prime season at Sunset Beach 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 Sunset Beach include strong currents, shallow sandbars, powerful shorebreak, localism, rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Sunset Beach 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
