Honokohau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking for this stretch. We’ve got Honokohau on the radar, and I gotta be straight with you – it’s a bit of a waiting game. The surf is there, but most of the time, the wind is working against us, so we need to pick our moments.

Right off the bat, from Tuesday the 7th all the way through Monday the 20th, we’re looking at a long stretch of frustrating conditions. The swell hangs around in the 5ft to 8ft range, mostly out of the ENE, but here’s the kicker: the wind is a stubborn cross or cross-off breeze, often blowing at 15 to 22 mph. That’s creating a lumpy, choppy mess on the faces most days. The water temp is sitting at a warm 79°, which is about normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be cold while you’re getting frustrated.

There are a couple of early mornings that look a bit cleaner, like Wednesday the 8th and Sunday the 19th, when that cross-off breeze cleans the surface up. On those days, you’ll see a head-high wave around 7ft, and it might be worth a paddle if you’re desperate. But honestly, the wave quality is just poor for the vast majority of this period. The combined energy is moderate, bouncing between 370 and 700, but it's all short-period windswell (6-8 seconds), which just doesn't wrap in nicely here.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The standout session is Tuesday the 21st of July. This is the one you want to circle on your calendar. The swell drops to 4ft, coming from the E, but the period jumps right up to 16 seconds – that’s a proper, long-period groundswell. The combined energy spikes to a strong 1196 (moderate to strong). This kind of energy suggests better shaped waves, more push, and longer lulls between sets, which makes paddling out easier. Because Honokohau is a reef and point setup, this long-period swell will wrap in beautifully, giving you some proper, lined-up waves. The wind is still a cross breeze at 12-16 mph, so it won’t be glassy, but it’s workable. This swell is a bit on the small side for groundswell, so it’s a fun size for intermediates.

Looking further into the following week, Wednesday the 22nd looks promising too. Swell is smaller at 3ft, but still a long 14-second period from the E, with a clean, cross-off breeze at 12-16 mph. The conditions will be much cleaner, making for a fun, smaller-wave session. The energy is still moderate at 738.

So, to put it simply: the first two weeks are a write-off unless you love choppy, lumpy slop. Hold out for Tuesday the 21st for the best mix of quality swell and reasonable wind. Wednesday the 22nd is your backup for a cleaner, smaller day.

Stay patient, and keep your eyes on that date.

Rusty.

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