Best Wetsuits for Hawaii: Year-Round Tropical Surfing

Surfing in Hawaii is the rare conditions where the wetsuit conversation flips. Instead of “what thickness for the cold,” the question becomes “what’s enough sun protection plus a thin layer for long sessions?” The best wetsuits for Hawaii are largely rash guards, light thermal tops, and the occasional 2mm shorty. This guide covers the right picks across the three main use cases (sun protection, occasional cool-water layering, spearfishing), plus what to skip.

For broader warm-water context, see our summer spring suit and shorty picks and rash guard buying guide.

Quick picks

Category	Pick	Price
Best long-sleeve UPF 50 rash guard (men’s)	O’Neill Basic Skins UPF 50 LS	$25 to $40
Best women’s UPF rash guard	Roxy Whole Hearted LS	$30 to $45
Best premium thermal top	Patagonia R0 Yulex Top	$129 to $159
Best 2mm shorty for cooler weeks	Hyperflex Access 2mm Shorty	$80 to $120
Best for spearfishing	Salvimar N.A.T. 100 5mm Two-Piece	$200 to $280
Best for night dives	Mares Reef 3mm	$150 to $220

Hawaii’s water reality

Across the four main islands (Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai), water temperature averages from NOAA buoy data:

• January: 75 to 76°F
• April: 75 to 77°F
• July: 79 to 80°F
• October: 80 to 81°F

The seasonal swing is ~5°F, much smaller than continental US coasts. Year-round, the water is functionally tropical. Air temperature, wind, and rain vary more than water temp.

For spot-by-spot reference, see the US coastal water temperatures buoy data reference.

Best long-sleeve UPF 50 rash guard: O’Neill Basic Skins LS

The O’Neill Basic Skins UPF 50 long-sleeve is the most-worn rash guard in the Hawaiian surf community we’ve spoken with. UPF 50 protection across full sleeve coverage, four-way stretch fabric, flatlock seams that don’t chafe. Athletic fit suits most builds. Multiple color options. Inexpensive.

Best women’s UPF rash guard: Roxy Whole Hearted LS

Roxy’s women’s-specific cut for UPF rash guards. Same UPF 50 protection as O’Neill Basic Skins with women’s-cut sizing that handles bust and hip proportions better than unisex or men’s-cut alternatives. Long-sleeve coverage, sleeves stay down through paddle strokes.

Best premium thermal top: Patagonia R0 Yulex Top

For surfers who want light warmth plus UPF 50 protection in a single garment, the Patagonia R0 Yulex Top is the premium pick. 0.5mm Yulex plant-based rubber for marginal warmth (about 1°F of effective comfort), UPF 50 sun protection, and the eco-positioning Patagonia is known for. Pairs with board shorts for the daily Hawaiian setup.

Best 2mm shorty: Hyperflex Access 2mm

For cooler-water Hawaii sessions (winter mornings on north-facing reefs, occasional weeks where water dips below 75°F, longer sessions where you want trunk coverage), a 2mm shorty fills the gap. Hyperflex Access is the budget shorty pick, suitable for occasional Hawaii use. Most Hawaii surfers don’t own one; those who do reach for it maybe 10 to 20 times a year.

Best for spearfishing: Salvimar N.A.T. 100 5mm

For spearfishing on Hawaiian reefs, even in 78°F water, a 5mm two-piece open-cell suit is standard. The Salvimar N.A.T. 100 covers the use case at mid-range price. Open-cell interior for warmth and reduced flush. Camo pattern for fish-evasion. Two-piece beavertail construction.

For deeper spearfishing context, see spearfishing wetsuits guide.

Best for night dives: Mares Reef 3mm

For night dives where ambient water temp matters less than the duration and stillness of the dive, a 3mm scuba suit fills the gap between a rash guard (too thin) and a 5mm spearfishing suit (overkill). Mares Reef 3mm is the standard mid-range choice.

What to skip

For Hawaii-based daily use, skip:

• 3/2 full suits. Too warm for almost all Hawaiian conditions.
• 4/3 full suits. Overkill year-round.
• Hooded suits. No water cold enough to warrant a hood.
• Cold-water booties and gloves. Not needed.

The exception: if you also surf cold water elsewhere (mainland California winter, PNW), the 3/2 or 4/3 has its own purpose. For Hawaii-only use, the rash-guard-and-shorty kit covers everything.

What about reef cuts and protection?

Hawaiian reefs are sharp. Lava rock and coral cause cuts that can take weeks to heal in tropical waters. Common protection strategies:

• Long-sleeve rash guard for arm coverage during paddling
• Reef booties for foot protection during walk-out and walk-in
• Skipping the suit entirely if you can avoid reef contact

The bootie buying guide covers reef-protective bootie options. For surf-specific Hawaii spots with shallow reef, booties are worth the marginal warmth penalty.

Putting it together

For most Hawaii surfers, the wetsuit kit is two items: a long-sleeve UPF 50 rash guard (worn daily) and a 2mm shorty (worn occasionally). Add a 3mm dive suit if you scuba; add a 5mm two-piece if you spearfish. Skip everything thicker.

For broader tropical context: best wetsuits for Costa Rica and Central America, best wetsuits for Florida, rash guard buying guide, spearfishing wetsuits, scuba diving wetsuits, snorkeling wetsuits. For thickness selection, the Wetsuit Finder tool takes 60 seconds.

How we tested

The O’Neill Basic Skins and Patagonia R0 Yulex Top are owned and worn by team members across PNW summer and Hawaii vacation use. The Hyperflex shorty is widely owned. The Roxy Whole Hearted, Salvimar N.A.T., and Mares Reef are picks based on conversations with Hawaii-based surf and dive friends rather than long-term firsthand use by our PNW-based team. We have flagged that. We bought what we own at retail.

Sources cited

• NOAA National Data Buoy Center. Mokapu Point Buoy 51202. Hawaiian water temperature monthly mean reference.
• Hawaii Department of Health. Clean Water Branch monitoring. Public water quality and temperature monitoring across Hawaiian beaches.
• Surfline. Hawaii surf forecasts. Real-time conditions and water temperature for Hawaiian breaks.