Halawa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looking at the 16-day window for Halawa, a reef-river break that’s fairly consistent but needs a decent NNW swell to fire. Unfortunately, it’s a rough stretch ahead. The water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is about average for this time of year.

We kick off on Sunday morning, September 13, with clean conditions and clear skies, but the swell is tiny — only 3ft from the NNE with a short period of 9 seconds and weak energy (189). The wind is a light cross-shore from the E at 9 mph, but the wave comment says poor surf conditions. That sums it up: not worth paddling out. The rest of the week is grim. Monday and Tuesday offer even smaller swell, dropping to 2ft with messy wind and energy falling below 100. Wednesday morning, September 16, sees swell bottom out at 1ft with a 7-second period and just 27 energy — barely a ripple. Then on Wednesday afternoon, a bump appears: 6ft from the ENE, but the period is short (6 seconds) and the wind is cross-onshore at 19 mph, creating lumpy, choppy conditions. Not surfable.

Thursday, September 17, actually sees some size — 7ft from the ENE with a 10-second period and strong energy (909). But the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore, the surf is lumpy and messy, and with a risk of thunderstorms, it’s far from clean. That 8ft is also too big for beginners and only just within range for stronger surfers, but the poor quality means it’s a pass.

From Friday, September 18, through the end of the first week and into the second week, we hit a major lull. From the 18th to the 20th, swell drops to 0.3ft – 0.7ft with long periods up to 13 seconds but energy in the single digits. There’s nothing to ride. Tuesday, September 22, has a tiny 1ft NNW groundswell with a 14-second period, but again almost no energy (63) and fresh cross-shore wind. Not happening.

Wednesday, September 23, offers 2ft from the NNW with an 11-second period and moderate energy (105), but with a risk of thunderstorms and 19–22 mph cross-shore wind, it’s blown out. Thursday the 24th is similar but smaller. Then on Friday, September 25, a pulse returns: 6ft from the ENE with an 8-second period and strong energy (571). But the wind is 22 mph cross-shore, making it lumpy and messy. Saturday the 26th is similar, with 5ft from the N (10 seconds, 509 energy), but still cross-shore wind.

The tail end of the window, Sunday, September 27, through Monday, September 28, shows consistent 6ft–8ft NNE/NE swell with 9–11 second periods and strong energy (700–900+). Again, though, the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore and the surf is described as poor. There’s never a clean glassy or offshore moment across the whole 16-day period.

Bottom line: there are no standout days. The setup is better for kiting than paddle surfing given the consistent cross-shore wind and lumpy conditions. The break is inconsistent by nature, so a blank run like this isn’t unusual for Halawa. Forecasts can change though. Keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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