Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cooking for Hakalau over the next 16 days.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this stretch is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with nothing that’s really going to get the heart pumping. The first real chance to even think about a paddle doesn’t come until Sunday, the 2nd of August, and even then, it’s marginal at best. The beginning of the period is a write-off; Friday the 31st through Saturday the 1st are just poor surf conditions with onshore wind and choppy, lumpy water. Not worth your time.

That Sunday morning, the 2nd, we finally see a drop in the trade wind to a gentle breeze, and the swell settles to about 7 ft from the ENE. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit of a bumpy, wind-affected mess. The combined energy is moderate, at 768. It’s a “marginal” call, but it’s the first window where you could maybe find a crumb if you’re really desperate. By Sunday afternoon, the wind goes light and the swell drops to 6 ft, still from the ENE, with energy down to 609. It’s still just a marginal tide-dependent situation.

Monday the 3rd sees the swell drop further to 5 ft, and the wind goes light cross-onshore. Energy is down to 477. Still marginal. The rest of that first week, from Tuesday the 4th through to Saturday the 8th, is mostly a mix of poor conditions and moderate cross-onshore breezes. Swell sticks around the 3 ft to 5 ft mark, but the wind is just never kind. There’s a brief spike on Saturday afternoon the 8th with 6 ft from the ENE and energy jumping to 683, but it’s onshore wind again, so it’s going to be a choppy mess.

Now, the most promising window in this whole bleak outlook is Sunday the 9th of August. The morning kicks off with a 7 ft swell from the E, period a short 8 seconds, and combined energy of 562. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore breeze, so it’s not glassy, but it’s the cleanest we’ve seen. The rating is “marginal,” but given the context, this is your best bet. Beware though, the afternoon brings a risk of thunderstorms and the wind picks up to 12 mph, making it choppy again.

After that, it’s back to the same story. Monday the 10th through the rest of the window, the swell drops to 3 ft or 5 ft, and the wind is either moderate or fresh cross-onshore, often with risk of thunderstorms or rain showers. The combined energy drops to the low 200s, which is weak. The last day, Saturday the 15th, sees a tiny 3 ft swell from the ESE with energy of just 183. That’s barely a ripple.

If you’re a kite surfer, the consistent onshore winds and chest-high chop might look fun, but for a paddle surfer, this is a real bummer. The break is a river mouth, exposed to the ENE trades, and it’s just not cooperating. For a bona fide standout, Sunday the 9th morning is the time to go, but keep your expectations low. The water temp is about average for the time of year.

Stay tuned, things can change.

Rusty.

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