
Surf Forecasts:
H-Reef surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, E swell with 841 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 1.7m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for H-Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at the next 16 days for this reef, and I gotta be straight with ya – it’s a tough stretch. The first week and a half is pretty much a write-off, with cross-shore winds and short-period, weak energy swell just makin’ a mess of things. The water’s sittin’ at a warm 79° with a temperature anomaly of 0.4°, so it’s pretty much spot-on average for this time of year – no surprises there.
The first real chance of anything worth paddlin’ out for doesn’t show up until Wednesday the 22nd of July, and even then it’s marginal. The morning’s a dud with 2ft from the east at 11 seconds, but the afternoon picks up a bit – 4ft from the east, period jumps to 13 seconds, and the combined energy hits 578 (moderate). Problem is, the wind is still cross-shore from the ENE at 12 mph, so it’s gonna be choppy. It’s a “maybe” session, not a standout.
The real energy starts to build from Saturday the 25th of July into the following week. That Saturday morning sees 6ft from the ENE at 8 seconds, with 503 (moderate) energy, but the wind is still cross. The afternoon gets interesting though – 3ft from the east but with a 16-second period, and the energy jumps to 714 (strong). That’s proper groundswell. For a reef break like H-Reef, that long period means longer, more powerful lines, but it also means a bit more time between sets. The wind is still cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s the best of a rough patch.
The standout window is Sunday the 27th of July through to Tuesday the 29th of July. Swell sizes are up around 7ft to 8ft from the east, with periods of 15 to 16 seconds. The combined energy is massive – 1921, 2415, 2752, 2408 – that’s strong to very strong energy. This is big, powerful groundswell. For a reef break with an optimum swell direction of NNE, this east swell is comin’ in a bit off-angle, but it’ll still wrap in. The catch is the wind. It’s cross-onshore from the ENE to NE at 9 to 12 mph, which is gonna put a nasty chop on the face. These waves are gonna be big and powerful, but messy. For advanced surfers only – over 8ft, this is not for beginners. The set-up is a reef, so the long period (15-16 seconds) will make for some proper grinding walls, but the chop will make it a battle.
Honestly, there’s no truly clean, perfect day in the whole 16-day window. The closest thing to a highlight is Sunday the 26th of July, Monday the 27th of July, and Tuesday the 28th of July. The swell is there, the energy is there, but the wind is just not cooperating. It’s a classic case of “if you’re desperate, you’ll go,” but it’s not gonna be a classic session. Given the strong winds and the big, messy swell at a reef, some might even say this looks more interesting for a kite session than a paddle session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 13 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
488 | 481 | 346 | 258 | 217 | 208 | 156 | 214 | 81 | 94 | 99 | 191 | 118 | 543 | 841 | 565 | 147 | 200 | 159 | 289 | 355 | |
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 | cross |
High Tide | 5:32PM0.81m | 6:25AM0.56m | 5:50PM0.73m | 7:52AM0.58m | 5:59PM0.66m | 9:49AM0.62m | 5:38PM0.60m | 11:30AM0.68m | 12:23PM0.74m | 1:00PM0.80m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:27AM0.19m | |||||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | NNE 9 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 13 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 12 | E 11 | NNE 7 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 7 | E 16 | E 15 |
31 | 15 | 35 | 31 | 49 | 35 | 50 | 13 | 57 | 57 | 50 | 138 | 118 | 32 | 11 | 10 | 116 | 56 | 71 | 46 | 104 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | E 12 | E 11 | E 13 | W 11 | NNE 6 | N 12 | SE 15 | W 20 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | ENE 10 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
3 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 40 | 85 | 2 | 28 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 33 | 7 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | — | WNW 13 | W 21 | W 20 | W 19 | E 14 | W 18 | E 16 | E 15 | E 11 | W 16 | N 12 | SE 16 | W 18 | SE 15 | W 19 | SW 18 | NNW 9 | W 17 | E 18 |
3 | — | 17 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 38 | 21 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 13 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
488 | 481 | 346 | 258 | 217 | 208 | 156 | 214 | 81 | 94 | 99 | 191 | 113 | 543 | 841 | 565 | 147 | 200 | 159 | 289 | 355 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 9 | 9 | 23 | 2 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 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.










