Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut straight to it. We’ve got a 16-day look at Hakalau, and I gotta be honest with you – it’s a tough stretch. We’re looking at a solid block of poor surf conditions for a good week and a half. The first real chance to even think about paddling out doesn't show up until late in the window, so patience is the name of the game here.

Right out of the gate, Sunday the 13th, it’s a no-go. Lousy cross-on wind and small, weak swell. That ugly pattern sticks around, day after day. For the entire first week and into the second, we’re looking at persistent cross-onshore winds from the ESE, keeping that surface all chopped up. There’s some moderate energy in the water on the 16th and 17th (453 and 647), but it’s messy and onshore – honestly, that energy is better suited for a kite than a surfboard. This long stretch of junk runs right through the 22nd of September. A real bummer.

Now, things *finally* look like they might turn a corner on Wednesday the 23rd. We get a solid pulse of swell from the east pushing up to 10 ft. That’s a lot of water moving, with the energy meter absolutely cranking at (1821). For a river mouth like Hakalau, a swell this size pushing in from the east is proper expert territory – way too much for anyone but the experienced crew. The wind goes light and variable, even turning onshore from the ENE, which could keep it from being totally unmanageable. It’s surfable, but it’s a beast. That’s your best shot in the whole outlook.

After that big day, things settle back down through the 25th and 26th with smaller, cleaner windows but weaker swell. The water temp is hanging around 81°, which is dead normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you wait for a set.

So, here’s the bottom line: The one true standout is the morning of the 23rd of September. It’s big, it’s powerful, and it’s the least windy day in the whole forecast. If you’re an expert and you want a serious slab, that’s your window. Everyone else, save your energy. This area tends not to stay poor forever, and forecasts can change, but right now, the 23rd is the only light in the tunnel.

Rusty.

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