Surf Forecasts:
Hanalei Bay surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, E swell with 377 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hanalei Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Hanalei Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hanalei Bay in the next 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hanalei Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for Hanalei Bay.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a flat spell. The first few days are a write-off for quality surfing. Monday the 17th through to Wednesday the 20th of August, you're looking at small, weak, short-period windswell out of the east. Heights are struggling to get above 3ft, with periods under 8 seconds, and the combined wave energy is weak. It's not worth paddling out for. Thursday the 21st is even smaller, with barely enough energy to be called surf. We're looking at a solid four-day gap of nothing.
Things start to stir on Saturday the 22nd. The morning is still tiny, but the afternoon sees a pulse of longer-period swell (13 seconds) from the west-northwest. The combined energy climbs to a moderate 326, but the swell height is still only 2ft. It’s a tease. Sunday the 23rd through Monday the 24th brings a slight bump in size up to 5ft, but it's short-period stuff (7 seconds) and the wind is a moderate cross-offshore breeze from the east. The energy is moderate (231-398), but the quality is just ordinary.
Now, the real talking point is the end of the month and into September. From Tuesday the 25th of August, we see a solid building trend. The swell starts to push up to 7ft from the east-northeast, with a period stretching to 8-9 seconds. The energy is building into the strong range (570-875). By Thursday the 27th, we're looking at 8ft east swell with a 9-second period, and the energy is tipping over into the 1100’s. This is serious swell for Hanalei Bay. The wind stays a consistent cross-offshore breeze from the east, which will keep the surface reasonably clean. The standout window is Friday the 28th of August through Saturday the 29th. We’re looking at a solid 10ft to 12ft of east swell, with a 9-second period and massive combined energy over 1500. This is big, powerful, and while it’s consistent, the size means it’s strictly for advanced surfers. Beginners should stay well clear.
The water temperature sits at 80°F, with the anomaly showing it’s bang on average for this time of year. So don't expect any surprises when you hit the water. That big east swell direction is a perfect match for Hanalei’s optimum swell direction from the north, wrapping nicely into the bay.
Remember, the long-range forecast for the end of the month and into the first of September is promising, but we’re still a week or more out, so keep an eye on it. The wind should hold, but the size will be a handful.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 7 | E 8 | NE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
435 | 329 | 186 | 161 | 139 | 125 | 70 | 84 | 84 | 64 | 60 | 54 | 41 | 52 | 75 | 75 | 154 | 247 | 220 | 220 | 206 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:06PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.52m | 4:36PM0.34m | 8:57AM0.53m | 10:21AM0.56m | 11:26AM0.59m | 10:10PM0.20m | 12:13PM0.62m | 11:40PM0.22m | 12:51PM0.64m | 00:24AM0.25m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:43AM0.25m | 11:24PM0.07m | 2:22PM0.29m | 11:58PM0.08m | 00:46AM0.09m | 2:05AM0.10m | 8:11PM0.17m | 7:48PM0.16m | 4:34AM0.07m | 7:52PM0.15m | |||||||||||
6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | |
mm | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | W 11 | ENE 7 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | E 7 | NE 6 | E 8 | NE 6 | NE 7 | E 8 | NE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NW 10 |
41 | 21 | 186 | 57 | 49 | 48 | 70 | 34 | 84 | 51 | 54 | 54 | 41 | 52 | 75 | 75 | 154 | 247 | 149 | 143 | 84 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WSW 7 | E 9 | SSE 10 | NE 7 | WNW 11 | NE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | W 10 | NNE 6 | W 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SE 11 |
10 | 12 | 23 | 4 | 15 | 9 | 36 | 24 | 33 | 64 | 60 | 46 | 26 | 37 | 50 | 15 | 78 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 6 | WNW 12 | SSE 10 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | E 8 | W 10 | SW 16 | WNW 16 | SSW 16 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 14 |
4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 26 | 9 | 23 | 9 | 18 | 18 | 28 | 31 | 40 | 48 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
435 | 329 | — | 161 | 139 | 125 | — | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 64 | 94 | 215 | 220 | 220 | 206 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 153 | 153 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 144 | 0 | 7 | 29 | 0 | 34 | 29 | 29 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaua'i | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Hanalei Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Hanalei Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hanalei Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hanalei Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Hanalei Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Hanalei Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a vacation in Kaua'i? If you are looking for accommodation near Hanalei Bay, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Kaua'i, consider staying in Lihue - Kauai which is 31 km (19 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Nawiliwili which is 31 km (19 miles) away











