Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s have a look at what we’ve got coming in over the next few weeks for Dunes.

Right now, there’s nothing really happening. We’re looking at a bit of a slow start, with Wednesday the 29th offering up small 2 ft SW swell, but it’s got a cross-on wind and the report says poor surf conditions. Not worth paddling out for. The combined energy is only moderate (391), so it’s a skippable session.

Thursday the 30th sees the swell bump up slightly to 3 ft from the SW, with a longer period of 17 seconds – that’s a nice groundswell pulse. The morning has cross-off winds, and it’s described as clean. But the score is marginal, so it’s probably a tide-dependent call. The afternoon stays similar with a light cross breeze, but still feels touch and go.

Friday the 31st morning is when things get a little more interesting. We’ve got 3 ft SW swell with a solid 16-second period and a clean offshore wind from the SE. The wave comment says "expect good surf conditions". Combined energy is moderate (387). That’s a nice little window for a few logging-style waves or a fun shortboard session on the incoming tide.

But the real standout in this run is Saturday morning, August 1st. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and the morning wipes clean with a moderate offshore from the ESE. The combined energy jumps to 655 – that’s moderate to strong energy. This is the pick of the first week. Dunes is a reef break, so that longer period groundswell from the SW is right in its optimum direction, and with clean offshore winds, it’s going to be peeling nicely. Just be aware that this spot can sometimes draw a crowd, so get there early if you want a peak to yourself.

The next few days hold 3 ft to 4 ft SW swell, but the winds get messy. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd suffer from moderate cross-shore and onshore winds. There are some clean moments, but the surf quality drops. Not worth chasing unless you’re desperate for a paddle.

Then we hit Tuesday afternoon, August 4th. This is another one to circle on the calendar. The swell drops slightly to 3 ft, but the period is a solid 15 seconds, and the winds go glassy. Absolutely dead calm. The combined energy is moderate (580) and the report says "expect very good surf conditions". That’s the kind of afternoon you dream about – clean, lined-up, and quiet.

But the heavy hitter arrives Wednesday morning, August 5th. Swell jumps to 5 ft from the SW with a 17-second period, and it’s glassy – zero wind. The combined energy is strong (1133). The report says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers". At 5 ft, this is still fine for strong intermediates, but the power and the long-period nature of this groundswell will make it a proper session. The morning is the call; the afternoon gets a cross-on breeze that chops it up.

Now, looking further out, Saturday morning, August 9th, sees the swell push 5 ft from the SW with a 15-second period. That’s solid. Combined energy is strong (1096). The wind is a strong offshore from the SE at 25 mph – that’s clean, but it’s going to be hard to paddle into. That one is really for the experts only; the swell size and the wind strength will make it a battle. The afternoon offers a much more manageable 5 ft with a lighter cross-off breeze, and that’s rated as very good. That afternoon session on the 9th is a promising long-range option.

After that, the swell slowly fades through the 10th and 11th, with clean conditions on the 10th morning (4 ft, gentle offshore), but the wind cranks up again on the 11th and 12th. The 12th has a strong offshore again, making it clean but challenging to get into.

To be honest, this is a classic Dunes run. The reef handles the long-period SW groundswell beautifully, and when the winds line up – especially offshore or glassy – it’s some of the best reef surfing you’ll find in the region (Big Island). The two absolute standouts are Saturday morning August 1st for the consistent chest-high waves with clean offshore wind, and Wednesday morning August 5th for the bigger, glassy, powerful groundswell. If you can only pick one session, August 5th morning is the one. But keep an eye on the long-range for the afternoon of August 9th too – that one looks promising, though it’s a way out.

The water temperature sits at around 75°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Wind and swell combine nicely for a few clear windows, but there are also plenty of days with cross-on slop. You’ll want to pick your moments.

Stay stoked and get out there when it’s clean.
- Rusty

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