Surfing Cannons: The Complete Guide

Cannons is a reef break located in North Shore, Kauai, USA (HI), offering a left-hander along North America's diverse surf scene. Cannons is the equally hollow and shallow left on the other side of Ha'ena Bay from Tunnels. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is NNW (330°), with workable conditions from WNW to N (300°–360°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Cannons needs a minimum of 1.2m / 4ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the SSW (200°). The full offshore range spans S to WSW (190°–250°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Cannons runs November, December, January, February, March (Nov–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Nov-Mar. Other side of Ha'ena Bay from Tunnels. Equally hollow left.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 25°C / 77°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is LIH, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Access: Beach access at Ha'ena Beach Park. Shorter paddle than Tunnels.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
⚠️ Shallow — Very shallow at low tide
👊 Localism — Heavy local enforcement

Equally hollow and shallow as Tunnels. Shorter paddle. Powerful and localized.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Respect the lineup, wait your turn, and be friendly. A little humility goes a long way

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (7/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10). Recommended board: a performance shortboard.

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Cannons? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Cannons is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*