Honokohau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Oi, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Honokohau (Big Island) over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the first week and a half is a write-off. From Saturday, 18 July, right through to Friday, 31 July, it’s a long, grim stretch of poor surf conditions. The wind is stuck in a cross or cross-off direction, mostly from the ENE, and it’s fresh to moderate, so the surface is constantly chopped up and lumpy. Swell hangs around 4 ft to 7 ft, but it’s short-period windswell, 7 to 8 seconds, and the energy is weak to moderate (values between 204 and 673). The combined energy is just not enough to overcome the messy wind. Honestly, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one for most of this period. I wouldn’t bother paddling out.

Now, things start to get a bit more interesting from Sunday, 26 July, towards the end of the second week. The swell picks up some serious grunt, with a proper groundswell arriving from the east. On Sunday, 26 July, we’re looking at 5 ft to 6 ft swell from the east with a very long period of 16 to 17 seconds. The combined energy jumps right up to strong levels (1757 to 2042). That’s a lot of push. The wind is still cross-shore, but lighter at 12 mph, so it’s not ideal, but it’s manageable. The wave period is so long that sets will be well-spaced, making it easier to get out the back, but at a reef and point break like Honokohau, that long-period east swell should wrap in nicely and offer some good shape. Keep in mind though, the forecast for these days is marked as “marginal,” so it’s not a sure thing, but it’s the best we’ve got. The water temperature is sitting at 80°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no wetsuit needed.

The real standout, if it comes together, is Monday, 27 July. We’ve got 7 ft swell from the east, still with a very long period of 15 to 16 seconds, and the energy is strong (2270 to 2359). This is a solid groundswell, but at around 7 ft, it’s getting into the size where it’s more for experienced surfers – beginners should sit this one out. The wind remains a cross-shore from the ENE at 12 mph, so it won’t be glassy, but it’s not terrible. The optimum swell direction for Honokohau is from the north, so this east swell is a bit off-angle, but given the size and period, it’ll still produce plenty of rideable waves. Tuesday, 28 July, is similar, with 7 ft to 6 ft and a 14 to 13-second period, energy still strong, but it’s starting to back off.

After that, the swell fades going into the end of the month. The last few days of July and into August see the size drop back to 4 ft to 6 ft, and the period shortens up again, with the wind staying cross-shore and fresh. It’s back to being a poor, lumpy mess.

So, if you’re waiting for a window, the best bet is around Sunday, 26 July, through Tuesday, 28 July. It’s a long-range call, so don’t lock it in, but it’s the only time in the 16 days that looks like it could be worthwhile for a surf. The rest of the time, you’re better off finding something else to do.

Rusty.

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