- Home
- ...North America
United States- Hanalei Bay
Conditions at Hanalei Bay in January
January: Deep-Winter Power
January sits at the peak of the Hawaiian winter, and Hanalei Bay is a gauge for the entire North Pacific. Average swell height reaches 8-9ft (2.4-2.7m) with a 12.8s period, putting it firmly in powerful, long-period territory. The direction table is dominated by NNW (15.8%) and NW (10.9%) swells, with NNE (5.5%) and due N (3.0%) adding more north quadrant energy. That mix works beautifully for this north-northwest-facing bay, allowing groundswell to wrap and stand up across the reef.
Winds are the great filter. Trade winds still blow from the E, ENE and ESE nearly 44% of the time, but ideal south and southeast offshore flow arrives 37% of the time, often in the wake of winter cold fronts. When those windows align, the bay can hold significant size with clean, sectioned faces. With air temperatures around 23°C (73°F) and water at 24°C (75°F), it is still warm enough for year-round comfort, though rain can push runoff into the bay on wet days.
Average Spot conditions at Hanalei Bay in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Hanalei Bay during January. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Hanalei Bay for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Hanalei Bay for January. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Hanalei Bay.