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Sugar Beach Water Quality in May

What to expect for water quality, rainfall, and ocean conditions

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May Conditions at Sugar Beach
May Advisory Risk Moderate

Sugar Beach sees lower advisory risk in may due to reduced rainfall. Occasional showers can still cause brief water quality concerns, but conditions generally recover quickly.

🌧️ Rainfall & Runoff

May is part of Hawaii's dry season (April through September). Sugar Beach sees only about 0.6 inches of rain. Runoff events are infrequent and brief. Water quality is generally at its best during dry months.

🌊 Ocean Conditions

May brings transitional ocean conditions to Sugar Beach. Swells shift between winter and summer patterns. Water temperature is 78-80°F. Conditions are generally moderate but can change quickly.

👥 Crowd Levels

Moderate. A quieter month before summer rush. Weekdays are particularly uncrowded at Sugar Beach.

If It Looks Brown, Don't Swim
Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky, even if no advisory is posted. Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories — not every beach is monitored. After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours and until the water clears before swimming.
Learn more about brown water advisories →
⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

The Hawaii Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. In may, rainfall is less frequent but individual storms can still produce contaminated runoff.

Book Tours & Activities

When conditions are clear, Sugar Beach has excellent ocean activities. Check the water quality above, then book with confidence.

⛳ Tours & Activities Near Sugar Beach
Browse snorkeling, boat tours, and ocean adventures in the area.
Viator
🏄 Snorkeling & Ocean Tours
Guided tours with equipment included. See marine life and coral reefs.
GetYourGuide

Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

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Safe to Swim Hawaii provides water quality information based on publicly available DOH data and seasonal patterns. This is not medical or safety advice. Always check current conditions, obey posted signs, and use your own judgment before entering the ocean. Privacy Policy

⚠️ 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. 🤙

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