Oahu
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and very poor conditions with moderate ENE wind around 11mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with strong E wind at 15mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 14mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on WNW swell at 13s with 11mph from the ENE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 3-4ft on NW swell at 13s with strong ENE wind at 13mph. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
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 1ft with a 7.45s swell period. Wind is ENE at 10mph 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 Sunset Beach is 1ft, produced by a 0.7ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 0.6ft NW secondary swell at 9s, a 0.3ft SSW tertiary swell at 9s, a 3.1ft NE 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 Sunset Beach is Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
