Kailua Beach, Oahu: dive & snorkel conditions and visibility today
Kailua Beach, Saturday, November 7: visibility Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m), and Caution from shore (68/100) to dive or snorkel, best 06:00–18:00 HST.
Updated ; the forecast refreshes every 6 hours. Confidence 93%.
Open Kailua Beach in the appNo Hawaii DOH Brown Water Advisory near Kailua Beach today.
Today by how you get in
Shore
– Caution 68
Surf ~3 ft at the entry (E swell, 7 s, partly sheltered) · Gusts 25 kt
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Nearshore reef
Kayak
– Caution 35
Seas ~7 ft out where you'd dive (E swell, 7 s) · Gusts 25 kt
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Boat
– Caution 63
Seas ~7 ft out where you'd dive (E swell, 7 s)
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Blue water (300 ft+) 3.5 km out
Next 7 days at Kailua Beach
| Day | Divability | Visibility | Wind | Swell | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – Caution 68 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 11 kt NE | 6.6 ft @ 8s | 93% | |
| – Caution 38 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 12 kt ENE | 6.9 ft @ 8s | 92% | |
| – Caution 51 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 12 kt ENE | 7.2 ft @ 7s | 87% | |
| ✓ Go 71 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 11 kt ENE | 6.2 ft @ 7s | 82% | |
| ✓ Go 70 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 11 kt NE | 5.9 ft @ 7s | 75% | |
| – Caution 54 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 13 kt ENE | 7.2 ft @ 8s | 68% | |
| – Caution 67 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 12 kt ENE | 7.2 ft @ 7s | 62% |
About Kailua Beach
A wide bay with a sand bottom close in and reef further out and around Popoia (Flat Island). Popular with kayaks and kitesurfers; the trade winds blow onshore most afternoons and the water near shore is often sandy. Kaelepulu Stream can cloud the south end after rain. Lifeguarded at the beach park.
- Kailua Beach faces northeast (55°): swell from that side arrives head-on.
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor.
- Water 100 ft (30 m) deep starts about 2.7 km out.
- Blue water (300 ft / 100 m and deeper) is about 3.5 km out.
What spoils the visibility here
- It faces the trade winds (east-northeast most days), so wind chop often cuts visibility.
- Heavy rain sends brown runoff into the water for a few days; Hawaii DOH posts Brown Water Advisories when it does.
Rules and wildlife
- Popoia (Flat Island) is a state seabird sanctuary: landing is allowed only on its beach area.
- Green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are protected: NOAA asks people to stay at least 10 ft (3 m) from turtles and 50 ft (15 m) from monk seals.
- Rules change: check Hawaii DLNR's Division of Aquatic Resources before fishing anywhere.
Questions about Kailua Beach
- Is it good to snorkel or dive at Kailua Beach today?
- On Saturday, November 7 DiveVis rates Kailua Beach Caution from shore (68/100) (Surf ~3 ft at the entry (E swell, 7 s, partly sheltered); Gusts 25 kt). Possible, but check conditions on site before going in.
- What is the water visibility at Kailua Beach today?
- Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m) expected on Saturday, November 7, with 93% confidence. It is an estimate from wind, swell, rain, runoff and ocean conditions, not a measurement.
- What's the best time to get in the water at Kailua Beach today?
- Between 06:00 and 18:00 HST on Saturday, November 7, from shore.
- How do you get in the water at Kailua Beach?
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor.
Other Oahu spots today, nearest first
- Lanikai · Caution
- Waimanalo Beach · Caution
- Moku Manu Islands · Caution
- Makapuu Point · Caution
- Sandy Beach · Caution
- Portlock · Caution
- Hanauma Bay · Caution
- Corsair Plane Wreck · Caution
- Kahala · Go
- Black Point · Go
- Magic Island · Go
- Kaimana Beach (Sans Souci) · Go
- Kualoa · Caution
- Diamond Head (Cliffs) · Go
- YO-257 & San Pedro Wrecks · Go
- Point Panic (Kakaako) · Go
- Sea Tiger Wreck · Go
- Ewa Beach · Go
- Kahuku · Caution
- Electric Beach (Kahe Point) · Go
- Waimea · No-go
- Turtle Bay · Caution
- Three Tables · No-go
- Sharks Cove · No-go
- Mokuleia · No-go
- Mahi Wreck · Go
- Makaha · Go
- Yokohama Bay · Go
- Kaena Point · No-go
Calculated from wind, swell, rain, runoff, tides and ocean conditions; check conditions on site before going in. How the forecast works.