Great question. The north Pacific's west, north west and north swells start around November 15th, or so with great storms in the north Pacific. The swells travel throughout the Pacific and pound beaches and islands that have a western to northern exposure.
You can check
www.surfline.com for surf forecasts and to also see cams on most of the world's surf breaks (including Hawaii)
The best place to see surfers in action in late November would be on the northern shores of Kauai (Princeville and Hanalei Bay), Oahu, between Haleiwa and Sunset Beach (Pipeline is probably the best for close up viewing) and on Maui at Honolua Bay (the large bay just north of the 4 Seasons Hotel)
You will need a pair of field glasses just about everywhere other than Pipe and Pupakea on Oahu's north shore and Honolua Bay on Maui.
A word of caution. You will be right at the very first of the surf season in Hawaii and if you are there for the first meaningful swell, keep a good distance from the ocean. Every year casual beach goers that are unaware of the dangers are caught in horrific rips that can be very dangerous. The rip between Pipeline and Pupakea is especially dangerous. As a rule of thumb, just don't stand where the sand is wet even if it looks safe and you will be fine.
Enjoy the show!
Tom
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