Hawaii's Waves: March 2026 Surf Outlook Across the Islands

Get the latest surf forecasts for Hawaii's counties in March 2026, covering Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island with detailed wave height predictions and weather outlooks.

Hawaii's Waves: March 2026 Surf Outlook Across the Islands

As March 2026 unfolds, surfers across Hawaii's islands can anticipate a dynamic mix of wave conditions. From the powerful north shores of Kauai to the varied exposures of the Big Island, forecasts suggest a weekend of moderate swells, with potential for increased surf early next week. Coastal weather patterns are expected to bring isolated showers and thunderstorms, influencing conditions for water activities.

Key Takeaways

  • North-facing shores, particularly on Kauai, are set to experience the most significant surf, with heights potentially reaching 7-10 feet on Saturday.
  • South-facing shores will see moderate surf diminishing through the weekend, with a small reinforcing swell expected.
  • East-facing shores are predicted to have surf well below average, though this may change with developing trade winds.
  • West-facing shores will generally see smaller, more manageable surf.

Kauai's North Shore Peaks

Kauai's north-facing shores are poised for the most substantial surf in early March 2026. Forecasts indicate surf heights ranging from 6-8 feet tonight, building to 7-10 feet on Saturday. This is attributed to a strengthening north swell that will persist through the weekend. A small west-northwest swell is also expected to arrive late Saturday and continue into early the following week.

Big Island's Varied Exposures

The Big Island presents a diverse surf landscape. Windward and southeast shores are expected to see surf in the 2-4 foot range, while north-facing shores will experience 5-7 feet. South-facing shores will see surf around 4-6 feet tonight, decreasing slightly to 3-5 feet on Saturday. Leeward coasts, including west-facing shores, will generally have smaller surf, around 2-4 feet, with south-facing shores mirroring the general south shore trend.

Maui's Moderate Conditions

Maui is forecast to experience moderate surf across its shores. North-facing shores will see surf in the 4-6 foot range through Friday, with potential for increased surf early next week. South-facing shores will have surf around 5-7 feet tonight, decreasing to 4-6 feet on Friday. East and west-facing shores are expected to have smaller surf, generally in the 2-4 foot range.

Swell Trends and Weather

Across the islands, a moderate north swell is a primary driver of surf activity, expected to trend down through Friday before a reinforcing swell arrives. A small west-northwest swell will add to conditions late Saturday. South shores will see diminishing surf from a moderate south swell, with a small reinforcing swell arriving over the weekend. Weather is expected to be mostly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the evenings and mornings, with winds generally light and variable or from the south/southeast.

Looking Ahead

Early next week, developing northeasterly trade winds could bring a potentially larger pulse of north-northeast swell, possibly approaching High Surf Advisory levels for some east-facing shores. Surfers are advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts as conditions can change rapidly.

Sources