
Surf Forecasts:
Cliffs surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 11,991 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cliffs this week:
The surf forecast for Cliffs over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cliffs in the next 16 days are 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 12s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cliffs over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty.
Overall Pattern
So, for Cliffs, the outlook is pretty average across the next couple of weeks. We start with a lot of blown-out, lumpy surf. The first few days are a right-off. There’s a big pulse of energy on Monday the 7th, but it’s getting mashed by a strong cross-onshore wind at around 22 mph, so forget it. The water’s a warm 81°, which is normal for this time of year.
Things clean up from Wednesday afternoon the 9th. The wind turns light and cross-offshore, making for some clean, rideable waves. The swell drops to about 3 ft from the SSW at a nice long period of 14 seconds. This is your best early window; the energy is moderate, but that long period will give you some proper shape on the reef.
The Best on Offer
The real standout though, is Friday the 18th afternoon. We’re looking at a clean 4 ft SSW swell with a long 17-second period and a gentle cross-offshore breeze. The energy hits a strong level, and conditions look primo for a good, clean session. That is the one.
Don’t sleep on Tuesday the 22nd morning either. The swell is tiny at just 2 ft, but the wind is forecast to be dead calm—totally glassy. For a little longboard or a funboard, you couldn't ask for better, even if the energy is low.
The Gaps and Caveats
There’s a big gap of nothing much from the 10th through to the 15th. The swell just dies, so don’t expect anything worth paddling for. This spot is normally consistent, so a dry spell like this is a bit of a bummer.
The longer period swells we see later on are full-on groundswells. They’ll run nicely down the reef sections, but they can straighten out a bit on the beach breaks. On Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th, with that huge energy and strong wind, this setup is gonna be rubbish for a surfboard but fun for a kite.
Stay patient. Aim for the afternoon of the 18th for the best waves, and the morning of the 22nd for a glassy, tiny session. Keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSE on Mon night, calm by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 13 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | NE 9 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1999 | 8841 | 1000 | 443 | 356 | 269 | 257 | 176 | 181 | 154 | 268 | 261 | 229 | 226 | 242 | 124 | 0 | 107 | 84 | 54 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:09AM0.32m | 2:28PM0.72m | 2:51AM0.39m | 3:05PM0.69m | 3:32AM0.45m | 3:39PM0.64m | 4:11AM0.50m | 4:12PM0.57m | 4:51AM0.54m | 4:42PM0.50m | 5:31AM0.57m | 5:11PM0.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:57PM0.08m | 7:26AM0.06m | 9:22PM0.06m | 8:21AM0.06m | 9:46PM0.05m | 9:12AM0.07m | 10:10PM0.04m | 10:02AM0.10m | 10:33PM0.04m | 10:52AM0.13m | 10:56PM0.05m | 11:45AM0.17m | 11:19PM0.06m | |||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | |
mm | 4 | 11 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | SSW 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 12 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
1999 | 1190 | 785 | 443 | 353 | 165 | 117 | 203 | 141 | 129 | 268 | 380 | 245 | 250 | 160 | 128 | 31 | 57 | 57 | 58 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | SSW 15 | W 10 | ENE 11 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 13 | SSW 13 | E 12 | E 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 15 | SW 12 |
672 | 696 | 552 | 650 | 137 | 269 | 257 | 156 | 129 | 101 | 93 | 261 | 229 | 226 | 242 | 49 | 75 | 46 | 84 | 38 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 9 | SSW 14 | E 13 | E 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | NNE 8 | SW 8 | NNE 8 | SW 16 | ENE 9 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 15 |
181 | 581 | 474 | 235 | 356 | 168 | 166 | 176 | 181 | 154 | 75 | 43 | 32 | 18 | 45 | 124 | 48 | 107 | 37 | 54 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
395 | 8841 | 1000 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 231 | 192 | 140 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 82 | 54 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 125 | 138 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 35 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cliffs Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cliffs provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cliffs can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cliffs surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Cliffs) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Cliffs may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Cliffs is 8 km (5 miles) from Honolulu. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in Honolulu. Honolulu has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










