
Surf Forecasts:
H-Reef surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, E swell with 649 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for H-Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at H-Reef in the next 16 days are 1.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for H-Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for H-Reef. I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half is pretty grim. The wind is locked in from the east and east-northeast, blowing cross-shore at 12 to 16 mph, and the swell is small, short-period windswell from the east. The water temp is 79°, which is right on the money for this time of year. But the wave comment says it all: "poor surf conditions." The combined energy readings are mostly in the 200s (moderate energy), but with that wind and short period, it’s just messy.
We’re looking at a solid block of no-go from Thursday, July 16th, all the way through to Friday, July 24th. Nothing worth paddling out for. The swell tries to pick up a little on the 18th and 19th, hitting 6 ft to 6 ft from the east, but the period is still a weak 8 seconds and the wind is cross. That’s a recipe for a bumpy, blown-out mess.
Then, things get more interesting from Saturday, July 25th. The swell period jumps to 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy rockets into the four-digit range, hitting 1025 on Saturday morning and building to 2346 by Sunday afternoon. That’s very strong wave energy. The swell height is around 4 ft to 5 ft from the east, which is a long-period east swell. The issue? The wind is still cross-shore from the east-northeast at 16 mph, so it’s not glassy. The wave comment upgrades to "marginal" – it’s not terrible, but it’s not clean.
The best bet in this whole 16-day window is Monday, July 27th, into Tuesday, July 28th. Swell holds at 5 ft to 7 ft from the east, with a period of 13 to 16 seconds. The wind finally drops to a light breeze, with speeds of 6 to 9 mph, though it’s cross-onshore. The combined energy is massive, hitting 2862 on Monday afternoon. That’s a lot of energy in the water. For a reef break like H-Reef, this long-period east swell is going to produce some proper, well-shaped lines. The optimum swell direction is from the north-northeast, so this east swell is a bit off-angle, but with that much energy and the wind easing, this is the standout. Tuesday morning looks like the pick, with 7 ft east swell at 13 seconds and a light 6 mph cross-onshore breeze. It’s still a bit bumpy, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see.
After that, it fades. Wednesday, July 29th, the swell drops back to 5 ft to 5 ft, period drops to 12 seconds, and the wind picks up to 9 mph cross-shore. By Thursday, July 30th, it’s back to poor conditions.
So, to sum it up: nothing for the first ten days. Then a long-period east groundswell arrives, but the wind is messy. The real standout is the last two days of July – Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. That’s when you want to be at H-Reef for the biggest, most powerful waves of the period. It’s a fairly consistent spot, and it’s exposed, so it handles the east swell. The water is normal temp. Look for the 7 ft sets on Tuesday morning. It’s still a little cross-onshore, but it’s the best on offer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
116 | 85 | 148 | 148 | 151 | 391 | 476 | 304 | 258 | 219 | 173 | 138 | 177 | 167 | 154 | 110 | 163 | 196 | 209 | 638 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:39PM0.96m | 4:18AM0.55m | 5:08PM0.89m | 5:17AM0.56m | 5:32PM0.81m | 6:25AM0.56m | 5:50PM0.73m | 7:52AM0.58m | 5:59PM0.66m | 9:49AM0.62m | 5:38PM0.60m | 11:30AM0.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:22PM0.29m | 10:06AM0.16m | 11:54PM0.27m | 10:46AM0.27m | 00:26AM0.25m | 11:28AM0.39m | 00:59AM0.24m | 12:20PM0.49m | 1:37AM0.23m | 2:16PM0.58m | 2:24AM0.22m | 3:23AM0.21m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
7:08 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | WNW 13 | NNE 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | E 8 | NNE 7 | E 13 | E 12 | E 11 | NE 7 | E 14 | E 12 | E 13 | NE 7 |
47 | 31 | 33 | 21 | 36 | 34 | 15 | 22 | 18 | 36 | 173 | 48 | 13 | 25 | 40 | 56 | 89 | 196 | 209 | 23 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | NNE 7 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | W 13 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | W 12 | NNE 8 | W 12 | W 11 | E 14 | E 16 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNW 11 |
69 | 31 | 40 | 39 | 19 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 11 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 21 | 39 | 36 | 25 | 25 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | WNW 14 | W 16 | W 16 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | SSW 15 | W 13 | W 12 | W 20 | W 12 | E 14 | W 18 | W 11 | W 11 | E 15 | NE 7 | N 12 | N 12 | SE 15 |
6 | 40 | 5 | 5 | 36 | 34 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 69 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 12 |
116 | 85 | 148 | 148 | 151 | 391 | 476 | 304 | 258 | 219 | — | 138 | 177 | 167 | 154 | 110 | 163 | 135 | 123 | 638 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maui | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the H-Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for H-Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at H-Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our H-Reef 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 (H-Reef) 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 H-Reef 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.
Are you planning a vacation in Maui? If you are looking for accommodation near H-Reef, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Maui, consider staying in Kahului which is 8 km (5 miles) away. Other places in and around Maui where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wailuku which is 15 km (9 miles) away, Kihei, Lanai - Lanai and Kaunakakai - Molokai.










