Hookipa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight with you, the immediate outlook is a bit of a bust. We’re looking at a stretch of nearly two weeks where the surf just isn’t cooperating. From now through to the 24th of July, the conditions are pretty poor across the board. The winds are stubbornly cross-shore or cross-onshore, and the swell is weak and short-period, never really getting its act together. The wave energy is pitiful, sitting in the low hundreds for most of that time, which is barely enough to push a floater through. It’s a long, flat spell, so don’t be in a rush to grab your board.

However, things start to look a bit more interesting heading into the back end of the month. The standout window is from the 25th of July onward, when a proper groundswell pushes in. The pick of the bunch is Hookipa (Maui). On the morning of the 25th, we’ll see the first pulses of a very long-period groundswell arrive, with a period of 14 seconds and combined energy jumping up. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, which will keep things reasonably clean. The water temp is sitting at 79°, which is pretty much bang on average for the time of year, so no wetsuit worries there.

The real fireworks, though, are on the 26th and 27th of July. This is the best the forecast has to offer. The swell builds to 5ft to 6ft from the east, with period stretching to 15 and 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The energy readings blow up, indicating strong wave energy. For a reef break like Hookipa, that long-period, east-swell should wrap in nicely and offer some solid, powerful lines. The wind is a cross-onshore or cross-shore, which is a bit of a bummer, but the quality of the swell is good enough to make for a decent session. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so there should be waves to be had, but expect a few other souls out there, as it does get crowded sometimes.

Just a heads-up: by the 28th and 29th of July, the swell pushes over 7ft and up to 8ft. For a spot like Hookipa, that’s firmly in the expert zone. The energy is massive, so the ocean will be a powerful place. The period is still long (12-14 seconds), but the wind is mostly cross-shore, so it won’t be a pristine, glassy peak. This is for the big-wave crew only.

So, to sum it up: forget the first two weeks, it’s a write-off. The 26th and 27th of July are your best bet, with a solid, powerful east swell and long-period energy. Get on it.

Rusty.

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