Hulihee Palace Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming our way for the next couple of weeks. The surf window's got a bit of a slow start, but there's a couple of moments that might just make it worth paddling out.

The first proper chance we get is on Tuesday the 8th of September. Hulihee Palace (Big Island) is our only spot in the game, so that's where we're looking. Tuesday morning starts off with a 8 ft swell from the WSW, which is a solid size – probably too much for the groms, but for the experienced crew, there's power there. The period is 11 seconds, so it's a proper groundswell with good energy behind it. The combined energy is sitting at 1958, which is strong. The wind is a cross-shore from the south at 16 mph, so it'll be a bit bumpy, but manageable. The water temp is 82°, which is a little warmer than average for this time of year, so you'll be in boardshorts.

Tuesday afternoon cleans up nicely. The swell drops to 3 ft from the SSW, but the period stretches out to 14 seconds – long lines. The wind eases to a gentle cross-shore at 9 mph, and the combined energy is still a healthy 1054. This is a much more user-friendly window. It's not a standout day, but it's the best of the first week.

From Wednesday the 9th through to the end of the first week, it goes pretty flat and sad. We're talking tiny waves, mostly under 2 ft, with a mix of cross and onshore winds. The energy drops right off, and the scores are poor. There are a few moments of glassy conditions on the 17th and 19th, but with swell around 2-2 ft, you're not going to get much more than a knee-high ripple. It's a long stretch of nothing.

Moving into the second week, the pattern stays weak. There's a slight pulse around the 15th and 16th of September with 2-2 ft swell and periods up to 20 seconds, but the winds are mostly cross-onshore. The energy levels are moderate, around 300-400, but the size is just too small to get excited about. A couple of afternoon glass-offs on the 21st and 19th might give you a clean little wave, but it's still marginal at best.

The absolute best chance in this whole period is actually the Tuesday afternoon session on the 8th. The swell direction from the SSW matches the optimum for the break, the wind is light and cross-shore, and the period is long. It's the only real window where you've got a decent wave with clean-enough conditions. If you're an intermediate or above, that's your go.

For the rest of it, there's a lot of waiting. If you're a kiter, the windy, choppy days might look fun, but for paddle surfing, it's a lean run. Keep your eyes on the forecasts, things can turn around.

Rusty.

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