Weather & Climate

Water and Surf Conditions

Hapuna Beach. Photo courtesy Big Island Visitor Bureau.

Hawaii’s near-shore water temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year. The average water temperature is 74 degrees F. (23.3 C), with a summer high of 80 degrees F. (26.7 C). Wave action varies dramatically between winter and summer, and between island coasts. Summer waters are typically very gentle on all beaches. This changes in the winter on many north-facing beaches, as storms far out into the Pacific drive ocean swells towards the islands, building large breaking waves.

As with island rains, wave conditions are often very localized, so if there is too much surf on your beach, you can usually find calmer water at a more sheltered beach. Strong currents can make any beach unsafe at any time during the year, but this is particularly true in the winter. When in doubt, simply ask your hotel staff or a lifeguard for recommendations and also look for warning flags and posted beach conditions.