Paramedics took an 18-year-old woman to the hospital in serious condition after she was swept into the ocean from a North Shore beach Thursday.

Emergency Medical Services reports the victim nearly drowned after she was swept off the shoreline by the big surf at about 11:30 a.m.

She was awake and breathing when paramedics took her to the hospital.

A large northwest swell has prompted a high surf advisory for north and west facing shores of most islands through 6 a.m. Saturday.

The National Weather Service said surf on north shores wwas 10 to 14 feet Thursday, rising to  15 to 20 feet on Friday.

West shores can expect wave faces of 10 to 14 feet Friday.

South shores are also expecting a small swell to bring 3 to 5 feet surf, but not reaching advisory levels of 8 feet.

East shores may also see a bump from increased tradewinds with waves of 2 to 4 feet.

Forecasters say beachgoers can expect strong breaking waves and shorebreak. Rip currents can also make swimming difficult and dangerous.

Beachgoers should heed advice from lifeguards and exercise caution, the National Weather Service said.