Honokohau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get real about this stretch. We’re lookin’ at Honokohau, a reef and point set-up on the Big Island, and honestly, it’s a tough run. The whole 16-day window is a grind, with near-constant easterly trades blowing cross-shore, making things lumpy and messy. There’s a real gap of poor surf for the first week and a half, with hardly a moment worth paddling out for. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.

The first real flicker of something doesn’t come until around Saturday, August 15th, but even then it’s a fight. There’s some bigger swell pushin’ in, but the wind is still a problem. The morning of the 15th shows a clean cross-off wind and a 7ft E swell with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate to strong (593). It’s not perfect, but it’s the cleanest we’ve seen. The swell is solid, but that period is short, so it’ll be a bit crumbly. For a reef and point, that’s a little less ideal, but it’s the best on offer.

Then, Sunday, August 16th, the morning shows a promising 8ft ENE swell, period still 8 seconds, and clean conditions with that cross-off wind. The combined energy is strong (882). That’s a big wave, and it’s only for experts – too much for a beginner. The wind is as good as it gets for this forecast, but the short period means the sets won’t have that long, drawn-out feel you’d want on a point. It’s the standout, but it’s a heavy, short-period wall.

Honokohau is a consistent spot, but the crowds are often there, so when the window opens, expect a few folks eager for a clean wave. The optimum swell direction here is N, and we’re getting E to ENE, so it’s not the best angle. The energy is there, but the quality is marginal. The rest of the forecast after that? More of the same lumpy, cross-shore mess. If you’re a kiter, those big, windy days might look interesting, but for a surfer, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more