Halawa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me tell ya what’s on the cards for Molokai’s south shore over the next couple weeks. We’re looking at Halawa and honestly, it’s a bit of a grim run to start with. There’s a solid gap for a week or more where you wouldn’t bother paddling out.

From Wednesday the 22nd right through to the afternoon of Monday the 27th, it’s plain ugly. The wind is hammering in cross-shore and the water’s a mess of lumpy chop. Swell’s coming in from the ENE at around 4 ft to 7 ft, but the period is short, around 6 to 8 seconds, so there’s no real push or shape. The energy is weak to moderate, between 146 and 436, but it’s all blown out. A total write-off for paddle surfing.

Tuesday the 28th morning actually has some size – 7 ft from the ENE, and the period jumps to 13 seconds, which is good, long-period groundswell. The energy is strong (1491). But the wind is still cross-onshore, so it’s only rated as marginal. For a reef/river break like Halawa, that longer period should make for some proper lines, but the cross-onshore chop will spoil it. Still, if you’re desperate, there might be a rogue set. That afternoon it drops off.

Wednesday the 29th has another pulse, 7 ft to 8 ft from the ENE with 11-12 second periods and strong energy (1148-1313). But again, cross-onshore wind and a risk of thunderstorms on the afternoon. Water temp is sitting at 80°F, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no worries there.

Now, here’s the one bright spot – Thursday the 30th. Morning is where it’s at. The wind swings around to a light offshore from the SSE, just 9 mph. The swell is 6 ft from the NE with an 8-second period. That’s not a long period, but with offshore wind, Halawa will clean right up and offer some fun, punchy lefts. The energy is moderate (450). It’s a ‘fairly consistent’ break, but it can be inconsistent in general, so don’t expect a conveyor belt. Crowds are ‘sometimes’ an issue at this spot, so you might have a few others out, but it’s not a zoo. This is the standout. Afternoon is still clean but the wind goes cross-offshore.

After that, Friday 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are tiny – 1 ft to 1 ft. Don’t even think about it.

Then there’s another pulse that kicks off Sunday the 2nd of August with 7 ft to 7 ft from the ENE, but the period is short (7-8 seconds) and the wind is onshore again. It’s mushy, choppy, poor. That pattern of middling, blown-out ENE swell continues right through until Tuesday the 5th of August.

Wednesday the 5th of August afternoon shows a big jump: 8 ft from the ENE with a 13-second period and very strong energy (2270). But it’s still cross-shore wind. That’s a lot of water moving, and over 8 ft, it’s expert territory, especially on a reef. The period is long enough to bend around the point, but with the wind, it’s only rated marginal. Something to keep an eye on if you’re a strong surfer.

Thursday the 6th of August has another 6 ft from the ENE with 10-second period and moderate to strong energy (715), but the wind remains cross-shore and it’s only marginal. The afternoon drops away.

So, to be honest, the only real shot for a fun, clean surf in this 16-day window is Thursday the 30th of July. Get on it that morning. The rest is a lot of noise and wind. For kite surfers, there’s heaps of wind and swell most of this time, so that might be your angle instead.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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