UPDATE: County officials restore beach access after high surf advisory is lifted

Update 8:39 a.m. Dec. 2, 2025: The National Weather Service on Tues. Dec. 2, canceled the High Surf Advisory for north- and west-facing shores of Hawai‘i Island.

All beach parks that had been closed earlier because of hazardous conditions have been reopened.

Update at 11:56 a.m. on Dec. 1, 2025: A high surf warning for portions of Hawai‘i Island has been downgraded to a high surf advisory.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, the advisory is for west-facing shores. The current long-period northwest (310-320 degree) swell will continue to steadily decline through Tuesday with surf heights likely dropping below the advisory threshold around Tuesday morning.

Large breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet along west-facing shores are expected.

Impacts are moderate. Strong breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming dangerous.

Mahukona Wharf, Kua Bay and the ocean-entry at Kahalu‘u Beach Park remain closed.

Update at 8:48 a.m. on Dec. 1, 2025: Mahukona Wharf and Kua Bay remain closed and ocean-entry at Kahalu‘u Beach Park is closed due to the ongoing high surf warning.

The National Weather Service issued to warning for north- and west-facing shores of Hawai‘i Island, for North and South Kohala, and North and South Kona Districts, which remains in effect through today.

Beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers, please heed all instructions given by Ocean Safety Official.

Update at 11:37 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2025: A high surf warning continues for west-facing shores of the Big Island until noon Monday (Dec. 1), including the shorelines of North and South Kohala and North and South Kona.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reports that some Big Island beaches are closed because of the warning. Those beaches are: Māhukona Wharf and Kua Bay.

Other beaches could also close without notice.

Dangerously large breaking waves of 12 to 20 feet are expected, accompanied by significant shore break and dangerous currents that could lead to injury or death.

Because of the high surf warning:

• The public should heed all instructions of ocean safety personnel.
• Property owners and others along west-facing shores should take necessary precautions.

Civil Defense will be inform the public as conditions change.

Original story posted at 6:26 a.m. Nov. 29, 2025: The National Weather Service has issued a high surf warning for west-facing shores of the Big. Island from 6 p.m. on Saturday to noon on Monday.

The forecast calls for an extra large long-period northwest swell to rapidly build Saturday afternoon and peak later tonight into Sunday morning.

Dangerously large breaking waves are expected to build to 15 to 20 feet along exposed west-facing shores of the Big Island.

Surf heights will slowly decline from Sunday to Monday, finally falling below advisory levels by early Tuesday morning.

Expect ocean water surging and sweeping across beaches, coastal benches and lava flows, creating the potential for impacts to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways.

The National Weather Service said there also will be powerful longshore and rip currents will be
present at most beaches. Large breaking waves and strong currents may impact harbor entrances and channels causing challenging boat handling.

Stay away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Be prepared for road closures. Postpone entering or leaving channels affected by the high surf until the surf subsides.