Live advisory data. Which resort areas are currently affected, and what to do.
The Hawaii Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Brown water advisories are informational only and do not close beaches in Hawaiʻi. The decision to swim is yours. But bacteria levels during brown water events are typically far above safe swimming thresholds.
The live advisory status above shows current statewide conditions. Below is how brown water typically affects each major resort area. Dry leeward coasts recover fastest; windward and river-adjacent areas recover slowest.
The Ala Wai Canal drains directly into the ocean at Waikikiʻs west end. After rain, the western end (near Hilton) is affected first and worst. The eastern end (near Kaimana Beach) recovers faster. Consider driving to Ko Olina (35 min west, dry side) if Waikiki has active advisories. Waikiki zone-by-zone guide →
West Maui is the dry side, so brown water events are less common than on windward Maui. Post-Lahaina fire runoff is a concern near the southern end of Kaʻanapali. Consider Napili Bay or Kapalua Bay (10-20 min north) as they are more protected. Kaʻanapali guide →
South Maui has the lowest advisory frequency on Maui. If there IS a brown water advisory here, conditions are very unusual. The beaches typically recover within 24-48 hours once rain stops. Wailea & Kihei guide →
Brown water advisories are rare on the Kohala Coast (less than 10 inches of rain per year). If one is active, it is likely a statewide advisory from a large storm. Kohala Coast guide →
Brown water days are an opportunity to explore Hawaiʻiʻs inland attractions: botanical gardens, waterfalls (which are at their most impressive during rain), cultural sites, farm tours, and shopping. Most resort concierge desks can suggest indoor and covered activities. Many snorkel tours operate in areas unaffected by nearshore advisories.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙