Surf spot

Flags - aliomanu reef

Forecast conditions and map view for Flags - aliomanu reef in USA, Hawaii, Kauai. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, Hawaii, Kauai
Coordinates: 22.1649, -159.3082

Metric
Metric	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00
Wave height (m)	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.2	1	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6
Wave direction	ENE	ENE	E	E	E	E	E	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	E	ENE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E
Wave period (s)	5.5	5.5	5.1	5	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.7	6.8	6.7	6.8	6.8	6.6	6.8	7	7.3	7.2	7	6.8	6.7	7.1	7	6.9	6.9	6.9	6.9	6.8	6.7	6.7	6.5	6.2	6	6.1	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	7.7	7.8	7.8	8.4	8.4	8.4	4.8	4.8	4.7	8.5	7.8	6.8	7	6.8	6.5	6.5
Wave energy (kJ)	139	116	93	76	183	177	167	156	154	149	149	145	121	140	100	134	118	112	123	116	117	110	99	97	89	84	81	74	64	60	52	46	43	39	37	36	37	35	33	28	37	41	40	58	62	74	34	38	36	117	133	149	163	179	193	213
Wind speed (km/h)	14.6	13.4	13.4	16.1	15.7	13.3	11.3	13.1	11.3	9.8	10.8	14.6	16.3	13.1	9.4	9.4	8.9	5.4	11.4	12.3	16	13.5	11.3	11.6	11.2	12.2	10.8	12	12.8	10.9	11.4	11.3	8.3	6.9	5.9	11.2	15.5	14.8	11.2	10.3	13.5	13.9	14.8	15.7	15.9	15.5	13	14.4	13.7	13.8	14.5	15.4	14.3	14.7	14.8	15.1
Wind direction	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ECross-on	EOnshore	ECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ECross-on	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ESECross-on	SECross-on	ESECross-on	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ECross-on	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore

Flags (Aliomanu Reef), Kauai, Hawaii is a reef break on the northeast side of Kauai, near Aliomanu Beach. It’s a local spot that can offer clean, playful waves when the trades and swell line up, but it’s also known for being shallow, reefy, and more suitable for experienced surfers.

Quick description

Type: Reef break
Location: Aliomanu area, northeast Kauai, Hawaii
Wave character: Often fast, hollow, and somewhat punchy over reef
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers, depending on size and conditions
Hazards: Sharp reef, shallow water, changing currents, and strong surf on larger days

Conditions

Flags tends to work best with: - Northerly to northeast swells - Light winds or offshore wind direction - Moderate tide, though the exact preference can vary by the reef setup and swell size

Because it’s on Kauai’s windward side, conditions can change quickly, and the spot may be affected by trades and storm surf.

What it feels like

On the right day, Flags can produce fun, reeling lefts and rights with a reefy takeoff and decent shape. When larger, it can get powerful and less forgiving, with sections that demand quick reactions.

Safety and etiquette

Watch the reef before paddling out
Be aware of local surfers and surf etiquette
Enter and exit carefully to avoid reef cuts
Be cautious on bigger swells, as hold-downs and currents can be stronger than they look