Oahu Snorkel Conditions
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Wednesday, October 14, 2026
North Shore Conditions 🟡
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark’s Cove | 6.0 🟡 | Fair AM / Outer Ledge Surge & Sand Haze | E 10-15 mph Trades | 4-6 ft Holding NW Swell | Moderate Outer Reef Drift |
| Three Tables | 5.5 🟡 | Fair AM / Ledge Surge & Whitewash | E 10-15 mph Trades | 4-6 ft Holding NW Swell | Moderate Ledge Surge |
Description: Solid long-period northwest swell energy holds across North Shore reefs today, keeping set waves in the 4-6 ft range. Moderate easterly trade winds (10-15 mph) keep sea surfaces smooth offshore, but persistent northern swell sets generate active ledge surge, whitewash, and suspended sand murkiness along open entries at Shark’s Cove and Three Tables.
South Oahu Conditions 🟢
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanauma Bay | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Clear Inner Basin Water | E 10-15 mph Trades | 2-4 ft Small Declining South Swell | Low Channel Drift |
| Waikiki MLCD | 6.5 🟡 | Fair AM / Some Shorebreak Surge | E 10-15 mph Trades | 4-6ft Declining South Swell | Light Longshore Drift |
| San Souci | 6.5 🟡 | Fair AM / Light Sand Haze | E 10-15 mph Trades | 4-6ft Declining South Swell | Low Shore Surge |
Description: South Oahu offers good, inviting snorkeling conditions today as south-southwest swell energy drops down to a small 4-6 ft level ahead of a new pulse tomorrow.
Leeward (West) Oahu Conditions 🟢
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ko Olina Coves | 8.5 🟢 | Good Inside Protected Lagoons | E 10-15 mph Offshore Trades | 0-1 ft Flat Protected Inside | Low Inside Lagoons |
| Electric Beach | 6.5 🟡 | Fair AM / Moderate Outflow Surge & Wrap | E 10-15 mph Offshore Trades | 2-3 ft Wrapping NW Swell Energy | Moderate Outflow Drift |
| Makaha Beach Park | 6.0 🟡 | Fair AM / Shorebreak Surge & Light Sand Haze | E 10-15 mph Offshore Trades | 3-4 ft Wrapping NW Swell Energy | Moderate Longshore Drift |
Description: Leeward West Oahu feels the effects of wrapping northwest swell energy today (2-4 ft faces). Entries at Makaha and Electric Beach experience active shorebreak surge along outer ledges. Protected Ko Olina coves block outer ocean waves and remain flat, clear, and serene inside.
KEY LEGEND
- 🟢 (7.0-10.0) Good: Safe, clear water, low surge.
- 🟡 Marginal: Fair visibility, light surge. Use caution.
- 🔴 (0.0-3.5) Dangerous: High surf, strong currents, or turbid conditions. Avoid.
BEST TIME TO GO: Head out early during the morning window (7:30 AM to 10:30 AM) to South Oahu locations (Hanauma Bay, Waikiki MLCD) or Ko Olina lagoons for clear visibility and minimal surge before easterly trade winds build afternoon surface texture.
MARINE ADVISORIES: A holding long-period northwest swell (4-6 ft faces) maintains moderate surf along north-facing exposures today before declining tomorrow. South swell energy rests at small seasonal levels (1-2 ft) ahead of a new pulse arriving Thursday. Moderate easterly trade winds (10-15 mph) prevail statewide.
Ocean conditions can change rapidly. Watch the surf, waves, currents and surge on the shoreline, rocks and reefs. Always spend 5-10 minutes in snorkel meditation watching the conditions. Are there other snorkelers in the water? Savor the moment. If the water doesn’t look clear, calm and inviting, don’t go in!
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