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Powerful turquoise wave crashing on a pristine Hawaiian beach showcasing natural beauty.
📷 Tommy Pierucki · Pexels

Keaau Beach

3.5 — based on 16 community signals
4.2 12 species 25 contributors

Keaau Beach offers consistent waves year-round in Hawaii. A reliable local break with reef and beach access.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendlySeasonal

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Keaau Beach location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11.6 kn
Wave
1.08 m
Water
28.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ENE (59%)
Now: ENE (67°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.54m

Next: High at 11:00 (+0.79m)

+0.9 m+0.3 m
▲ 11:00 · +0.79m ▼ 21:00 · +0.39m ▲ 23:00 · +0.41m ▼ 03:00 · +0.37m Now +0.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.5 · very high Air PM2.58 · good 06:20 18:32
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 11.9 1.12 9 0mm
09-19 12.1 1.26 8 0mm
09-20 10.8 1.3 9 0mm
09-21 11.7 1.26 9 0mm
09-22 9 1.12 8 2mm
09-23 10.6 1.06 8 0mm
09-24 10.4 0.98 8 24mm

About this spot

Keaau Beach is a year-round surf destination on Hawaii's coast, delivering steady wave action for surfers of varying experience levels. The break features both reef and beach components, giving riders options depending on swell direction and tide. The area draws a local crowd and maintains good accessibility for visitors. The reef sections produce more defined peaks during larger swells, while beach breaks offer gentler alternatives on smaller days. Water conditions remain warm throughout the year, typical of Hawaiian waters. Visibility and conditions vary with seasonal swell patterns and weather. The spot sits outside any marine protected area, so standard surf etiquette and local customs apply. Community recordings document the break across different seasons, offering insight into how conditions shift. Twelve documented species observations in the area reflect typical reef and nearshore marine life common to Hawaiian coasts.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Marine life

Bottlenose dolphin

Dive types

ReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 11617km · ~2672kg · €48

FAQ

Is Keaau Beach good year-round?

Yes. Keaau Beach receives consistent swell throughout the year, making it a reliable option regardless of season. Conditions vary with swell patterns, but the break rarely goes flat.

What type of waves does Keaau Beach have?

The spot features both reef and beach breaks. Reef sections produce more defined peaks in larger swells, while beach areas offer more forgiving conditions on smaller days.

What marine life is in the area?

Twelve species observations are documented at Keaau Beach, reflecting typical nearshore reef and coastal marine life common to Hawaiian waters. Local community videos provide additional context on seasonal variations.

Are there access restrictions or permits needed?

Keaau Beach is not inside a marine protected area. Standard local surf etiquette applies. Always check current conditions and respect local customs before paddling out.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

64 records · 42 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Mar 2026
×2records

Nerita picea

Gastropoda · Neritidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Conus catus

Gastropoda · Conidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Jan 2025
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Dec 2024
×2records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Dec 2023
×3records

Elysia rufescens

クシモトミドリガイ
Gastropoda · Plakobranchidae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Dec 2019
×1records
Depth:
3 m

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Mar 2019
×3records

Oscarella

Homoscleromorpha · Oscarellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
26 Feb 2019
×1records

Finella pupoides

Gastropoda · Scaliolidae
OBIS
Last seen:
2 May 2018
×1records

Caulophacus

Hexactinellida · Rossellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
28 Sept 2017
×1records
Depth:
838 m

Haliclona (Rhizoniera) pahua

Demospongiae · Chalinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Aug 2017
×1records
Depth:
0 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Drone Report 🚁 / Makaha Surf From Above - Freesurf Magazine

freesurf magazine
💬 1 top comments
  • I want to ask you to my new conservative * libertarian * constitutionalist video launch. Debuting February 2nd 2019

    @ClovisStarNews · 👍 0

Hawaii's Best Beginner Surf Spots!

T&C Surf Designs
💬 3 top comments
  • Baby Makapuu

    @ptj6412 · 👍 4
  • Caught my first wave a week ago at turtle bay at JOB surf school then spent a week surfing Hanalei bay in Kauai! Absolute dream of a week and now completely hooked. Back to NJ now I guess :(

    @CDW98 · 👍 3
  • Well-done. I think the west-side sharks should have been mentioned though.

    @SnDmsIIK · 👍 2

Improvements Underway For Keaau Beach

Island News
wind peaks Jul-Mar-Aug, calmest Apr-May-Jan, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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