Ala Moana Bowls Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
Anything from the SE to SW, but usually from the S to SW.
Wind
Calm or offshore from NW to E, with NE straight offshore.
Surf Height
Chest high-2X overhead+.
Tide
Medium.
Ala Moana Bowls Surf Guide
Inarguably Town's most coveted -- and famous -- high-performance wave, Ala Moana Bowls has a clearly formed and obvious lineup. The wave is a long left, with a few different tube sections and a range of takeoff spots, but it's at its most focused and perfect when a solid S swell detonates on the outside bowl section. The seabed next to the reef was dredged for Ala Wai Harbor, thus the man-made interference bends swell and refracts it. And even though really big sets are still referred to as Pole Sets, the pole that once indicated such incoming bombs is now gone.The Ala Moana Bowls left can hold solid size and breaks off toward the harbor channel, but Bowls also offers a shorter right on smaller days that will usually end as a closeout section on the very shallow inside reef. As you head west across Magic Island into Ala Moana Park, there are numerous quirky, crowded and hard-to-catch reefbreaks, including Tennis Courts, Big Rights and Kewalo Basin. All of these waves work best on the same swell as Waikiki, though tide and local knowledge definitely comes into play here.
*Note: This surf break has bleeding control emergency supplies provided through the Adopt a Cove program. Learn more here.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
All levels when small, but intermediate to advanced when over chest high.
Local Vibe
Intimidating
Very intense and competitive. Humility and respect a must.
Crowd Factor
Heavy
Always crowded when its waist high or bigger, but early bird gets the worm sometimes.
Spot Rating
Perfect
One of the best waves on the South Shore. Rippable when small and some meaty barrels when big.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Long paddles to and from beach, but not bad once you're out there.
Water Quality
Dirty
Nearby harbor, so pollution is always a factor, especially after significant rainfall.
Hazards
Shallow reef, powerful waves, intense crowd.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Bodyboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish
Access
Easy. Walk the harbor breakwater to end and paddle out the Ala Moana boat channel (use caution, it is a harbor), or paddle from the little beach near parking lot across the reef platform (a little sketchy on low tide).
Bottom
Reef. Shallow and sharp for most of it.
Best Season
April through October.
Do you have local knowledge about Ala Moana Bowls?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]