Portlock, Oahu: dive & snorkel conditions
Portlock, Tuesday, November 3: visibility Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m), and Caution from shore (38/100) to dive or snorkel, best 06:00–18:00 HST.
Updated ; the forecast refreshes every 6 hours. Confidence 90%.
Open Portlock in the appNo Hawaii DOH Brown Water Advisory near Portlock today.
Today by how you get in
Shore
– Caution 38
Gusts 32 kt
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Nearshore reef
Kayak
✕ No-go 29
Offshore wind 14 kt — can blow a kayak out to sea
Blue water (300 ft+) 2.3 km out
Boat
– Caution 63
Gusts 32 kt
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Blue water (300 ft+) 2.3 km out
Next 7 days at Portlock
| Day | Divability | Visibility | Wind | Swell | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – Caution 38 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 14 kt ENE | 4.9 ft @ 7s | 90% | |
| – Caution 35 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 15 kt ENE | 4.9 ft @ 7s | 90% | |
| – Caution 35 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 15 kt ENE | 5.2 ft @ 7s | 86% | |
| – Caution 35 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 16 kt ENE | 5.6 ft @ 7s | 81% | |
| – Caution 35 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 16 kt NE | 5.6 ft @ 7s | 74% | |
| – Caution 35 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 14 kt ENE | 5.2 ft @ 7s | 68% | |
| – Caution 42 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 14 kt ENE | 5.2 ft @ 7s | 61% |
About Portlock
- Portlock faces south (180°): swell from that side arrives head-on.
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Maunalua Bay boat ramp.
- Water 100 ft (30 m) deep starts about 0.8 km out.
- Blue water (300 ft / 100 m and deeper) is about 2.3 km out.
What spoils the visibility here
- South swells, mostly May to September, reach it.
- It is sheltered from the usual trade winds; Kona (southerly) winds and swells are its weak spot.
- Heavy rain sends brown runoff into the water for a few days; Hawaii DOH posts Brown Water Advisories when it does.
Questions about Portlock
- Is it good to snorkel or dive at Portlock today?
- On Tuesday, November 3 DiveVis rates Portlock Caution from shore (38/100) (Gusts 32 kt). Possible, but check conditions on site before going in.
- What is the water visibility at Portlock today?
- Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m) expected on Tuesday, November 3, with 90% 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 Portlock today?
- Between 06:00 and 18:00 HST on Tuesday, November 3, from shore.
- How do you get in the water at Portlock?
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Maunalua Bay boat ramp.
Other Oahu spots today
- Yokohama Bay · Go
- Ewa Beach · Go
- Electric Beach (Kahe Point) · Go
- Makaha · Go
- Magic Island · Go
- Sandy Beach · Caution
- Kawela · Caution
- Makapuu Point · Caution
Estimates from wind, swell, rain, runoff, tides and ocean conditions; check conditions on site before going in. How the forecast works.