Honokohau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a seat and let’s talk about Honokohau. This is a reef and point set-up that’s consistent and favours an offshore from the SSE, but the next 16 days are a real mixed bag.

Right now, we’re in a poor stretch. The water temp is sitting at about 80°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there. But the wind – it’s cross and cross-off from the ENE, blowing 15 to 19 mph, and the swell is mainly short-period E/ENE stuff, around 6 to 8 seconds. That’s giving us weak to moderate wave energy (mostly in the 200-300 range), and the surf is just messy. From Sunday the 19th right through to Friday the 25th, it’s all “poor surf conditions” – lumpy, cross-chop, and not worth paddling out for. The waves are around 5ft to 7ft, but with that wind and short period, it’s a choppy mess. Not a single standout session in that first week.

Now, things get a little interesting toward the end of the month. On Sunday the 26th of July, the swell period jumps way up to 16 seconds, coming from the east. The combined energy rockets to 1258 – that’s strong wave energy. The wave height is only 5ft to 5ft, but that long period means the waves will have serious push and shape. The problem is, the wind is still cross from the ENE at 15 mph, so it’s not glassy. The forecast says “marginal surf” that day, but a 16-second period on a reef and point like Honokohau is always worth a look. The currents might be stronger, and the sets will be more spaced out, but the quality of the wave itself could be excellent. Monday the 27th keeps that long period (14-15 seconds) and strong energy, but the wind remains cross. It’s a tease.

The absolute best of the lot, if you can wait, is the afternoon of Tuesday the 28th of July. We’re looking at 8ft of ENE swell, with a period of 12 seconds, and combined energy hitting 1599. That’s serious, powerful groundswell. The wind is still cross from the ENE at 15 mph, but honestly, for a point break, that’s workable. This is expert territory – 8ft on a reef with that much energy is not for beginners. It’s going to be a heavy, powerful wave. The morning of the 29th is also solid with 7ft and 12-second period, energy at 1013. That week from the 26th to the 29th is the window.

After that, it drops off again. The first week of August sees the energy drop back into the 500-900 range, with shorter periods and that same persistent cross wind. Nothing to write home about.

So, the standout call? The afternoon of Tuesday the 28th of July. That’s the biggest, longest-period swell in the whole outlook, and the reef at Honokohau should handle it well. It’s a powerful, expert wave, but if you’ve got the skills, it could be the best session of the month. The crowd factor is “often” at this spot, so with that size and quality, expect company.

No other break to compare it to – this is the only one on the cards. A long, quiet first week, then a short, promising window of real groundswell. Keep your eyes on the 28th.

Rusty

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