Baldwin Beach Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – if you’re looking for a proper surf session in the coming days, this stretch is going to be a real test of patience. We’ve got a long, long run of days where the conditions just aren’t coming together, so don’t get your hopes up for anything clean until we’re well into the second week.

Right now, through the end of August and into the first days of September, it’s a pretty grim picture. The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore from the ENE, kicking up a chop that’s ruining any chance of a decent wave. The swell is hanging around 4 ft to 5 ft, but it’s coming from the ENE with a short period of only 6 to 7 seconds – that’s windswell, not groundswell, so it’s weak and lacking any real push. The combined energy readings are mostly in the low to mid hundreds (156 to 319), which is weak to moderate, but it’s all messy. There’s a gap of absolutely nothing worth paddling out for from the 26th of August right through to the 4th of September.

We start to see a tiny shift on the 4th of September into the 6th. The wind eases back to a gentle breeze from the ENE, and the swell period stretches to 8 seconds. The surf is still small, around 4 ft to 5 ft, but the conditions are described as “marginal” rather than total rubbish. The combined energy is still moderate (261 to 338), but at least the chop is less angry. It’s not good, it’s just less bad. Don’t get too excited.

Then, around the 9th of September, we get a bit of a spike. The swell picks up to 6 ft from the east, with an 8-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 714 – that’s strong wave energy. The problem? It’s still cross-shore or cross-onshore with a moderate breeze, and the conditions are still labelled “marginal.” The 10th of September brings a bigger problem: a fresh breeze from the ENE at 22 mph, with rain showers and a risk of thunderstorms. The swell period jumps to 12 seconds, which is a proper long-period groundswell, but that wind is going to tear it to pieces. The combined energy hits 536, but it’s a no-go for paddle surfing – frankly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than for a regular board.

The water temperature is sitting at 80°F with a very small anomaly, so it’s perfectly normal for the time of year – no surprises there.

As for the only break on offer, Baldwin Beach Park (Maui), it’s a reef and point setup that’s very consistent and exposed to the swell. It’s best for beginners, but the quality is just not there. The wind is almost never doing us any favors, and the short-period swell isn’t giving the point the shape it needs. Crowds are often an issue here, but honestly, with this outlook, I doubt many will be out.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off, and the second week only offers small windows of marginal conditions. The best bet, if you’re desperate, would be to watch the 9th of September for that bigger east swell, but only if the wind forecast improves. As it stands, don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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