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.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is poor - fair with 2-3ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at fair.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SE swell at 8s — 14mph out of the NE.
Tue, May 12: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. 4-5ft waves to start the day on SE swell at 8s.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 3-4ft and mostly poor - fair with 20mph ENE winds.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 4-5ft waves and poor - fair conditions with strong ENE wind at 19mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 5.3s swell period. Wind is ENE at 13mph 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 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 Diamond Head is Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 3ft waves, a 5.15s 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.
