Honokohau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s be straight up – we’re looking at a pretty grim run for Honokohau over the next 16 days. The whole period is plagued by a persistent cross-shore wind from the ENE, blowing at 12 to 22 mph, which is going to keep the surface lumpy and messy. The swell energy is mostly weak to moderate, sitting between 193 and 742 (combined energy), but it’s all coming from the wrong direction – the break needs swell from the north to really work, and we’re getting ENE, E, and even a bit of west swell that doesn’t match up. The water temperature is 79°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first few days are a total write-off. From Monday 13 July through to Sunday 26 July, every single session is tagged as “poor surf conditions” with a score of zero. That’s two solid weeks of nothing worth paddling out for. The swell height hops around between 2 ft and 6 ft, but the period is short – mostly 6 to 8 seconds – so the waves are weak and crumbly. The wind stays cross all the way, meaning no chance of clean faces. Even the few days where the swell jumps to 6 ft or 6 ft, the wind is a fresh 19–22 mph cross-breeze, just making it choppy.

There is a glimmer way out in the second week. On Monday 27 July morning, we start seeing a shift: the swell period climbs to 15 seconds, and combined energy hits 742. Still cross-wind, but the energy is stronger. Then on Tuesday 28 July, it gets interesting. The morning brings 6 ft swell from the east at 14 seconds, with combined energy of 1205 – that’s moderate wave energy, and the period is long, meaning better shaped waves. The wind is still cross at 12 mph, but it’s a moderate breeze, so the chop might be manageable. The afternoon on the 28th pumps up to 8 ft from the ENE at 13 seconds, with combined energy of 2212 – that’s strong wave energy. But the wind is still cross, and the swell direction is not ideal for Honokohau (needs north). This is the only standout in the whole forecast. It’s too big for beginners at 8 ft, and the long period (13–14 seconds) means the waves will have long gaps between sets, but at a reef and point break like this, the shape should be solid. Expect crowds likely here.

To sum it up: don’t bother for the first two weeks. The only real chance to get wet is on Tuesday 28 July, when the swell and energy finally come together. But even then, the wind is not your friend, so it’s not a perfect day. If you’re desperate, that’s your window.

- Rusty

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