Oahu
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with moderate NE wind around 12mph.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with moderate NE wind around 12mph.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and poor conditions with 15mph out of the ENE.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 16mph ENE winds.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 16mph out of the ENE.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Ala Moana Bowls is a reef break located on Oahu's south shore, offering consistent, well-formed waves with a distinctive bowl-shaped formation that creates fun, playful peaks. The break works best during winter months when southern swells wrap around the island, providing solid shoulders and manageable sections suitable for intermediate surfers. Protected by the Ala Moana reef structure, the waves peel predictably and offer a great alternative to the more famous nearby breaks when you want a bit more elbow room.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ala Moana Bowls is 0-1ft with a 5.3s swell period. Wind is ENE at 12mph and 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 Ala Moana Bowls is 0-1ft, produced by a 1ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.9ft S secondary swell at 14s, a 0.7ft SSW tertiary swell at 11s, a 3.8ft 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 Ala Moana Bowls is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ala Moana Bowls works best with a S swell and NW 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 Ala Moana Bowls. 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.
Ala Moana Bowls is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Ala Moana Bowls is a reef break located on Oahu's south shore, offering consistent, well-formed waves with a distinctive bowl-shaped formation that creates fun, playful peaks. The break works best during winter months when southern swells wrap around the island, providing solid shoulders and manageable sections suitable for intermediate surfers. Protected by the Ala Moana reef structure, the waves peel predictably and offer a great alternative to the more famous nearby breaks when you want a bit more elbow room.
The prime season at Ala Moana Bowls 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 Ala Moana Bowls include shallow reef, sea urchins, currents, crowded during peak conditions. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ala Moana Bowls 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.
