Oahu Snorkel Conditions Report

Help with finding the best conditions for snorkeling on Oahu today.

Oahu Snorkel Conditions Report:

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Saturday, March 14, 2026.

⚠️ Safety Warning: A powerful Kona Storm continues to impact the islands today. A Small Craft Advisory and Gale Warning remain in effect for many coastal waters. Expect southwest (Kona) winds ranging from 20–35+ mph, heavy rain, and scattered thunderstorms. Because of the storm’s intensity and the risk of lightning, it is not safe to be in the ocean today.

South Oahu

Description: Extremely Hazardous. The South Shore is taking the brunt of the storm. Strong southwest winds are creating rough, choppy “storm surf” and significant sediment mixing. Visibility is essentially zero, and heavy runoff has likely turned the water brown.

Location	Rating	Clarity	Wind	Waves	UV Index
Hanauma Bay	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 25–30 mph	5–9 ft	2 (Low)
Waikiki MLCD	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 25–35 mph	4–7 ft	2 (Low)
San Souci	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 25–35 mph	3–5 ft	2 (Low)
Waikiki Beach	🔴 1/10	0 ft	SW 30+ mph	3–5 ft	2 (Low)

Leeward (West) Oahu

Description: Hazardous. While slightly more sheltered from the wind direction, a moderate West swell is peaking today, producing choppy and disorganized conditions. Visibility is extremely poor due to high surge and storm runoff.

Location	Rating	Clarity	Wind	Waves	UV Index
Ko Olina Coves	🔴 2/10	10 ft	SW 20 mph	2–4 ft Surge	2 (Low)
Electric Beach	🔴 1/10	5 ft	SW 25 mph	4–6 ft Surge	2 (Low)
Papaoneone Beach	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 25 mph	5–7 ft	2 (Low)
Makaha Beach Park	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 25 mph	5–9 ft	2 (Low)

East (Windward) Oahu

Description: Hazardous. Stormy and “lumpy.” Onshore winds are creating messy, silty conditions. Visibility is near zero due to heavy rain runoff from the mountains entering the bays.

Location	Rating	Clarity	Wind	Waves	UV Index
Makai Research Pier	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 20–30 mph	3–5 ft	2 (Low)
Lanikai Beach	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 20–30 mph	2–4 ft	2 (Low)

North Shore Oahu

Description: Extremely Hazardous. A medium-period North swell is peaking today. While winds may be offshore in some pockets, the combination of heavy surge, “washing machine” action in the pools, and lightning makes these spots deadly today.

Location	Rating	Clarity	Wind	Waves	UV Index
Malaekahana Bay	🔴 1/10	0–5 ft	SW 20 mph	4–6 ft	2 (Low)
Turtle Bay	🔴 1/10	5 ft	SW 20 mph	3–5 ft	2 (Low)
Shark’s Cove	🔴 1/10	0 ft	SW 22 mph	5–9 ft Surge	2 (Low)
Three Tables	🔴 1/10	0 ft	SW 22 mph	5–9 ft Surge	2 (Low)

Snorkel Rating Legend

Symbol	Rating	Description
🟢	8–10	Good: Calm water, high visibility, and safe entries.
🟡	4–7	Fair: Moderate surge or wind chop; visibility variable.
🔴	1–3	Hazardous: Storm conditions, lightning, or zero visibility.

Marine Advisories

Box Jellyfish: High Probability Arrival. We are currently in the high-risk window (March 11–13/14). The strong storm surge and onshore Kona winds are likely pushing jellyfish directly onto South Shore beaches in large numbers.
Brown Water Advisory: A major statewide advisory is in effect. Intense rainfall is washing bacteria, sewage, and debris into the ocean. Do not enter the water.
Gale Warning / Flood Watch: Dangerous winds and rough seas are affecting all coastal waters. Lightning is a severe threat in and near thunderstorms.
Tide Alert: Low tide at Honolulu is 5:11 PM (-0.1 ft); High tide was at 12:09 PM (0.6 ft).

Ocean conditions can change rapidly. Watch the surf, waves, currents and surge on the shoreline, rocks and reefs. Always spend a few minutes (5-10) in snorkel meditation watching the conditions. Savor the moment. If the water doesn’t look clear, calm and inviting, don’t go in!