Halawa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s look at what’s on the table for Halawa. It’s a slow stretch, with a lot of flat spells and windblown slop, but there are a couple of moments that make it worth keeping your board handy.

Starting off on Sunday, September 6th, it’s a bust. There’s only 1 foot of N swell with a short 8-second period, and an east wind blowing 22 mph making a cross-shore, lumpy chop. Wave energy is a weak 18. Water temp is 80°, right where you’d expect it for this time of year. Not much to talk about.

Monday, September 7th, is flat and messy. A tiny 0.6 foot swell with a long period of 15 seconds, but it can’t stand up to the 25 mph cross-shore wind. Best to stay on the beach.

Now, here is the standout of the entire forecast. Tuesday, September 8th. Morning gets a clean 7 foot ENE swell with a solid 11-second period, and a fresh offshore south wind at 19 mph. That is clean, groomed surf. Wave energy is a strong 904. The afternoon holds up with a 6 foot ENE swell (601 energy) and a moderate offshore wind at 16 mph. Halawa is a reef/river break, and while the optimum swell is from the NNW, that ENE direction with clean, offshore wind is hard to beat. At 7 feet, it’s solid intermediate territory – a bit too punchy for beginners, but a great day for a confident surfer.

Then we hit a long, dry spell. From Wednesday, September 9th right through to Wednesday, September 16th, the swell drops off and the wind stays cross-shore from the east. Swell runs from 2 to 4 feet with short periods (5 to 8 seconds), and the combined energy barely climbs above the low hundreds, often below 100. It’s lumpy, choppy, and poor. The longest gap for decent surf here is from the 9th all the way to the 16th.

There’s a glimpse on Saturday, September 12th morning – clean conditions with a gentle breeze and a 4 foot ENE swell (368 energy). But the overall conditions are still not good enough to really recommend.

The second week finally shows some potential. On Sunday, September 20th, we get a clean, small swell. The morning brings 2 feet of NW swell with a long 14-second period (122 energy). Winds are light and cross-offshore, so the surface is clean. Afternoon is similar, 2 feet of NW swell at 13 seconds (155 energy). It’s small, but the long period groundswell works well at a reef break like Halawa. Good for a mellow cruise.

Then, the last real standout. Monday, September 21st afternoon. We get glassy conditions – a light 5 mph breeze from the ESE – and a 2 foot NW swell with an 11-second period (138 energy). That’s as clean as it gets. The swell is minimal, but the glassy surface and long period will make for some fun, shapey waves. This is your sleeper session.

Crowds at Halawa are listed as “sometimes” – expect a few other surfers out on the clean days, especially when that long-period groundswell lines up.

Bottom line: wait it out. Tuesday, September 8th is your best bet for some real, clean overhead surf. The 20th and 21st offer smaller but incredibly clean conditions for those who don’t mind a quiet, glassy session.

Rusty.

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