Honokohau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Look, I’m gonna level with you – this stretch ahead for Honokohau is a real mixed bag, and honestly, it’s pretty grim for the first week and a half. We’ve got a long dry spell until things start to look vaguely interesting around the end of July. Let’s walk through it.

Right now, starting Sunday the 19th of July, it’s a write-off. We’ve got cross-shore winds at 16 mph, a weak, short-period 4.3 ft easterly swell with a period of just 8 seconds and combined swell energy of only 277 – that’s weak. The water temp is sitting at 79.7°, which is about average for this time of year. The conditions are just poor, and the forecast doesn’t offer any relief. Monday through Thursday of the coming week are all the same story: cross-shore winds, lumpy chop, and those short-period swells barely scraping 4.9 ft to 5.2 ft. The energy stays low, mostly in the 200–300 range. Honestly, it’s not even worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 22nd sees a brief spike in energy to 677 with a 5.2 ft swell from the east and a 12-second period, but the wind is still cross and the waves are rated poor. That’s a tease. Then it drops off a cliff Wednesday afternoon – 0.7 ft from the north, energy of just 10. Dead. From there, the size starts climbing again – Thursday the 23rd brings 6.2 ft, but the period is a pathetic 6 seconds and the wind is still cross. Friday the 24th pushes 7.2 ft, but with a 7-second period and 22 mph cross-winds, it’s a messy, lumpy mess. The energy is moderate (431-444), but it’s not surfable for a good wave.

The weekend of the 25th and 26th isn’t any better. Saturday the 25th has 6.2 ft swell with energy up to 810, but still cross-winds and short period. Then Sunday the 26th of July is where it finally gets interesting – but only just. The swell jumps to 5.6 ft from the east, but the period goes to 16 seconds – that’s very long-period groundswell. The combined energy is strong at 1819. But here’s the catch: the wind is still cross-shore at 16 mph, and the rating is only marginal. That long-period swell is going to be a bit too straight for a beach break like Honokohau (a reef and point setup), so it’ll be more suited to the point. Still, it’s the best we’ve seen in days.

Monday the 27th of July offers a similar story: 5.2 ft-6.2 ft east swell, 15-second period, strong energy around 1432-1690, but cross-shore winds keep it from being clean. The rating is still marginal. Tuesday the 28th has a 6.6 ft east swell with a 13-second period, but the wind shifts to a gentle cross-onshore from the NNE, which isn’t ideal. Energy is still strong at 1534, but it’s lumpy.

Wednesday the 29th fades back to poor surf, with 5.2 ft swell and weak energy. Then we hit a real standout, but it’s a long way out. On Thursday the 30th of July, Honokohau gets a moment of glass. The morning is glassy – wind from the ESE at 3 mph, nearly calm, with a 4.3 ft swell from the NE at 9 seconds. Energy is moderate at 257. The conditions are “surfable but very ordinary” – but the glassy wind is a major positive. That’s your best window for a clean, small wave session. The afternoon sees a bit more size at 5.9 ft, but the wind goes cross-off and the rating is still marginal.

After that, we’re back into the grinder. The end of the forecast – from Friday the 31st of July through to Monday the 3rd of August – is all cross-winds, 6.9 ft to 7.2 ft swells, short periods, and fresh, lumpy wind. The energy is moderate to strong (410-789), but it’s just not clean. The waves are too big for beginners (over 4.9 ft) and the chop makes it only for the hardiest.

So, the best on offer? Honestly, it’s a thin pick. The standout is Thursday the 30th of July – the morning glass-off at Honokohau (Hawaii). That light 3 mph wind and 4.3 ft swell will give you the cleanest, most civilized surf of the whole period. If you can wait that long, you’ll be rewarded. The second pick is Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th, with that long-period groundswell from the east, but you’ll have to deal with the cross-wind. It’s promising, but less certain as it’s a week out.

Crowds at Honokohau are often there, so expect company on that Thursday morning. The break is consistent and fairly exposed to the swell, so it’ll handle the size. For the rest of the time? I’d say leave the

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