Seasonal· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii

Winter North Swell on the Kona-Kohala Anchorages

19° 48.7′ N · 156° 0.5′ W · approximate

Almost every open anchorage on this coast, from Nishimura Bay to Okoe, is rated for 'summer months when no north swell is present'. Winter north and northwest swells wrap down the coast, turning the anchorages rolly or untenable and the beaches into shorebreak.

Practical

Coordinate is a representative point (Kua Bay). Noodle's Notes gives the suitable period for Nishimura, Kua, Kailua, Honomalino and Okoe as summer months with no north swell; only Honokohau, Kawaihae and the Kealakekua Fair Wind mooring are listed as year round. Beach guides warn of high winter surf, shorebreak and rip currents at Hapuna, Kauna'oa, Kua Bay and Magic Sands (where the sand can vanish within 24 hours). In winter, plan to berth in Honokohau or Kawaihae and day-hop to the anchorages on calm days; check the surf forecast before landing a dinghy on any beach.

Best for

Choosing the season for anchoring on the Kona coast

Season

Roughly October to April

Nearby