Hookipa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, I’ll be honest with you, looking at the next 16 days for Hookipa, it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a real flat spell coming up, and the conditions are just not playing ball for a decent paddle. The first bit of surf that’s even worth mentioning doesn’t show up until Monday morning, the 3rd of August, but even then it’s a real struggle.

Let’s start with the pattern. From Thursday the 30th of July right through to Sunday the 2nd of August, the swell is there, but it’s just ugly. We’re looking at a moderate east wind, cross-shore, blowing at 15 mph, chopping up a 5ft to 8ft easterly swell. The energy is moderate on the scale, hitting 453 to 992, but it’s all windslop. That short 8-second period means it’s just bumpy, crumbly, and not worth your time. The water temp is about average for the year at 79°F.

Now, Monday the 3rd of August morning, we see a slight drop in the breeze to a gentle 9 mph cross-shore, and the swell drops to 5ft from the east-northeast. The energy is still moderate (535), but it’s still a cross-shore mess. The wave comment calls it “marginal” at best, and honestly, that’s being generous. It’s a 1/10 day. The rest of the week is more of the same: moderate cross-shore winds, lumpy chop, and short-period windswell.

The only real glimmer comes on Tuesday the 4th of August. The morning swell is 6ft from the east-northeast, but the period bumps up to 11 seconds, which is a proper groundswell. The energy is moderate (733). The wind is a gentle 9 mph cross-shore. This is the best of the bunch, but it’s still only a “marginal” rating. The longer period might give it a bit more shape, but with that cross-shore wind, it’s going to be hard work. The afternoon sees the period drop back to 10 seconds and the wind picks up a notch.

After that, it’s a long, bleak run. From Wednesday the 5th right through to Friday the 14th of August, we’re stuck with 3ft to 6ft slop, short periods of 7-9 seconds, and persistent cross-shore winds. The combined energy drops into the low 200s to 500s, just weak, messy stuff. The wind is consistently 12-15 mph from the east or east-northeast, keeping that cross-chop on the surface.

For a spot like Hookipa, which is a fairly consistent reef break, this is a real downer. The setup is exposed to the north-northeast, and we’re getting swell from the east and east-northeast, which isn’t the optimum direction. A lot of this period is better suited for a kite than a surfboard, with that strong cross-shore wind and lumpy ocean. The crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, but with this quality, I’d be surprised to see many out.

Look, I’d say the best you’ve got is that Tuesday morning, the 4th of August, but even then, it’s a long way from a standout. The forecast is a bit more reliable for the near-term, and it’s not good. The long-range into the second week is just more of the same poor quality. It’s a frustrating stretch for the North Shore.

Rusty.

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