Surf spot

Pounders

Forecast conditions and map view for Pounders in USA, Hawaii, Oahu. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, Hawaii, Oahu
Coordinates: 21.6303, -157.9210

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)	1.4	1.3	1.1	1	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.2	1	1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1.1	1.4	1.4	1.7	1.7	1.8	1.6	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.5	1.6	1.7	1.8	1.8	1.7
Wave direction	ENE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NE	E	E	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E
Wave period (s)	6.7	6.8	6.8	7.2	6.9	7	7	7	7	6.8	7	6.9	6.9	6.9	6.8	6.8	7	6.9	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.7	6.7	6.6	6.6	6.5	6.7	6.6	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.6	7	8.1	8.4	5	5.2	5.3	5.3	5	5.4	6.3	7	7.2	7.3	7.3	7.6	7.3	7.1	7.2	7.3	7.5	7.4	7.1	7	7.2
Wave energy (kJ)	176	166	104	100	176	179	179	181	179	174	173	156	142	128	102	92	104	103	90	85	78	68	62	56	45	40	48	48	44	44	40	36	33	44	55	39	41	45	51	55	76	156	179	282	294	326	303	333	334	321	250	299	317	327	322	289
Wind speed (km/h)	9.6	9.6	11.2	15.1	17.7	14.1	13	11.5	9.8	10.4	12.3	14.5	16.1	15.9	14.6	13.5	12.6	10.8	11.2	17.8	18.1	16.8	15.9	14.1	13.3	11.6	15.5	18	18.8	16.7	14.8	16.2	18.6	21.8	24	25.6	23.3	23.3	23.8	23.6	23.3	22.8	23.5	24.2	23.1	22.2	21.3	22	20.8	20	20.2	24.1	23.1	21.3	18.7	17.1
Wind direction	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	EOnshore	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore

Pounders is a well-known surf break on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, USA, near Laie.

Quick description

Type of break: Beach break
Wave quality: Fast, hollow, and powerful when it’s working
Best swell: North to northwest swells
Wind: Best in light offshore winds, usually from the south or southeast
Skill level: Advanced to expert on bigger days

What it’s like

Pounders is named for the heavy, “pounding” surf it can produce. When conditions line up, it can offer steep takeoffs, barrels, and strong shorebreak-style waves. It’s often compared to a punchy reef-beach setup with lots of power and limited room for error.

Best conditions

Winter swells bring the most consistent action
Lower tides can make it more hollow and more intense
Clean surf is best with minimal wind and good swell direction

Hazards

Powerful shorebreak
Shallow water in places
Strong currents
Heavy closeouts on larger swells
Can be dangerous for beginners

Atmosphere

Pounders tends to be a more local and less beginner-friendly spot than nearby mellow breaks. It’s a serious wave that rewards good timing and experience.