Current conditions at Flat Island
Beach & Nearshore
No conditions available
Shoreline conditions do not apply to this location.
Primarily for beachgoers and surfers
Offshore
Caution
Be cautious and maintain alert for choppy seas, currents, and breaking waves. Users of kayaks and other unpowered craft must be aware of strong wind, wave, and current conditions that can carry you offshore, and are capable of changing unexpectedly.
Primarily for boaters and kayakers
Learn more about these rating signs and alerts. Ratings updated Thursday, February 02, 2023 - 3:35am
Weather
80°F
A Few Clouds
Winds Northeast at 6.9 MPH (6 KT)
Surf Forecast (Official)
Recommended Activities
Flat Island is also known as
Popoiʻa Island
Not lifeguarded.
Background
Popoiʻa Island, popularly known as Flat Island, is one quarter of a mile seaward of the boat ramp. Popoiʻa means rotten fish, and may refer to offerings that were left at a former fishing shrine in the middle of the island. The tsunami of 1946 destroyed the remnants of the shrine. Landing is permitted on the island's small sand beach, although Popoiʻa is part of the Hawaiʻi State Seabird Sanctuary. A popular surf site known as Flat Island breaks on a shallow reef on the island's south side.
This description is from John R. K. Clark's Beaches Series:
Beaches of Oʻahu,
Beaches of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau,
Beaches of Maui County,
and Beaches of the Big Island
published and available for purchase from the University of Hawaiʻi Press.
We thank John R. K. Clark for providing beach descriptions for use on this site.
21.399300000000, -157.721000000000
