Oahu
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.
Sun, May 10: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with 13mph out of the ENE.
Mon, May 11: 3–4ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on NNW swell at 12s and 11mph ENE winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 12: 3–4ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on NW swell at 10s with 13mph out of the E. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on NNW swell at 9s with strong E wind at 15mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor. 4-5ft waves to start the day on NW swell at 15s.
16s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 3-4ft with a 10.35s 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 Sunset Beach is 3-4ft, produced by a 3ft NNW primary swell at 10s, a 1.4ft NW secondary swell at 12s, a 0.4ft SSW tertiary swell at 14s, a 2.8ft NE wind swell swell at 6s. 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 Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 11.6s 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
