Surf is surging along the south-facing shores of every Hawaiian island, and forecasters say this is not the day to grab a board and charge. A high surf advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday, April 9, with surf building Tuesday night and expected to peak on Wednesday. Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet, with occasional sets up to 12 feet, are forecast to make swimming, snorkeling and casual ocean fun outright dangerous on many beaches.
Advisory details
The advisory covers south-facing shorelines from Niihau through the Big Island and was posted Tuesday evening by local outlets tracking National Weather Service alerts. As reported by Big Island Now, ocean safety officials are urging the public to stay off exposed reefs and rocky points while conditions remain elevated.
What forecasters say
According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, “large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet with occasional higher sets to 12 feet” are expected and the advisory is in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters point to rising long-period energy on offshore buoys and a nearby low that will push southerly winds and moisture northward, helping to sustain the south swell in the short term. Mariners should expect increasingly rough seas and avoid exposed harbor entrances while the advisory is active.
Safety and outlook
The NWS area forecast discussion also notes that “South to southeast winds are expected to steadily increase late tomorrow into Thursday” and that “very rough boating conditions are expected late Thursday into Friday as seas quickly rise,” which could prolong hazardous conditions into the end of the week. Lifeguards and county ocean-safety teams regularly post beaches and close access when conditions require it, and residents and visitors should follow posted warnings, respect red flags and keep a safe distance from breaking waves and coastal cliffs.
For the latest updates, check the National Weather Service Honolulu advisories and local county ocean-safety pages before heading to the shore. When in doubt, stay on the sand and treat rising surf with caution.
