Chuns Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’ve had a look at the charts and the numbers for our little slice of paradise. Let’s get into it.

Honestly, the next week or so has been a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve had some energy in the water, but the winds have been making things messy, especially with that short-period stuff. The real standout is going to be further out. Let me walk you through it.

From Wednesday the 22nd through to the end of July, it’s a bit of a struggle. The swell is there, mainly from the ENE, but it’s short-period – only 7 to 8 seconds. That means a bumpy, weak wave that doesn’t really hold its shape. The wind is clocking in from the east at 18-19 mph, which is a cross-offshore breeze, but it’s just too strong to make that choppy swell look good. The combined swell energy is moderate (371 to 582), but the quality is poor. Honestly, for the first four or five days, you’re better off waiting.

Then we get a bit of a tease. On Sunday the 26th, the period starts to climb, hitting 15 seconds by the afternoon. The swell direction swings around to the E, and the energy jumps up to 972. That’s a proper groundswell signal. But the wind is still up at 15-16 mph from the ENE, and the surf is still marginal. It’s a promise of what’s to come, not the real deal yet. The crowd factor at Chuns Reef (North Shore Oahu) is listed as “often,” so even when it’s on, expect company.

Now, here’s the good bit. The real pay-off window is from Monday the 4th of August through Wednesday the 6th. That’s the highlight. We’ve got a solid ENE swell running, with heights between 7 ft and 8 ft. Periods are long, 12 to 14 seconds, which means real power and proper lines. The wind switches to a light E breeze, only 6 to 9 mph, and it’s cross-offshore. The combined energy readings are off the chart – we’re talking 1,300 to 2,100, heading toward 3,177 on the Thursday morning. That is serious power.

The standout session will be the morning of Tuesday the 5th of August. 8 ft of groundswell from the ENE, a period of 13 seconds, and glassy 6 mph cross-offshore wind. The water temp is a consistent 79°F which is bang on average for this time of year. That morning is rated excellent for experienced surfers. If you’re confident and can handle size, you will get the wave of your life. Wednesday the 6th morning is also peak: 8 ft from the ENE, 12 seconds, and a tiny 3 mph breeze. It doesn’t get much cleaner than that.

One thing to keep in mind with those long-period waves: at a reef like Chuns, they’ll hold their shape beautifully. But a 14-second period is very long; those sets will be widely spaced, so bring your patience and a strong paddle.

If the surf gets too big, especially over 8 ft, it’s for experts only. The Thursday the 6th afternoon session is a good example: it’s swinging in at 12 ft from the NE. That’s big, raw power and it might blow out the shape for the average punter. If it gets like that, the setup might even look more interesting for a kite than a paddle.

So, to wrap it up: the next week is a write-off for quality. Don’t waste your time. But mark your calendar for Monday the 4th of August through Wednesday the 6th. The morning of Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th are your absolute best bets. Clean, powerful, and with that light offshore. It’s going to be special.

Stay safe, respect the reef, and I’ll see you out there.

Rusty

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