James Kealoha Beach Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for the Hilo side through the next couple of weeks.

The first few days are a total write-off for a clean session. Starting Monday, July 27, we’ve got onshore winds and a lot of swell energy that’s just not lining up. The surf is there, but it’s messy, with winds blowing straight on and a lot of chop. The energy levels are high – readings of 1487 to 2945 – but it’s all wind-affected and sloppy. Hard pass.

We hit a bit of a lull in quality from Wednesday, July 29 through to Thursday, July 30. The wind shifts cross-offshore from the southeast, which is a big improvement. Swell drops to around 4ft to 5ft from the ENE, with a short period of 8 to 9 seconds. The energy drops to the 300-range, making it weaker but cleaner. Still, the scores are only marginal, so it’s worth a look if you’re desperate but nothing to get excited about.

Now, the first real standout comes on Thursday afternoon, July 30. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 9 mph, and the conditions are clean. Swell is a small 5ft from the E with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is 429. This is your best bet for a clean, fun little session on the inside at James Kealoha Beach Park. It’s a reef break, so it holds that swell well. Water temp is about average for this time of year, so no need for a thick wetsuit.

Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1 see a return of onshore wind and chop, so we’re back to marginal at best. The swell picks up to 6ft to 7ft from the ENE, but the wind is cross-on, making it a messy, bumpy affair. The energy is moderate to strong (1072 to 1411), but it’s not worth the paddle out for a clean ride.

Sunday, August 2 and Monday, August 3 are still a bit average, but we see a shift. The wind drops to nearly nothing on Monday morning – a slight air from the NE at 3 mph. The swell is 5ft from the ENE, period short at 8 seconds. Energy is 620. It’s still cross-on, but the light wind means it’s not as blown out. It’s a maybe, not a yes.

The next real highlight doesn’t come until Tuesday afternoon, August 4. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the SE at 9 mph, and the swell is 5ft from the ENE with a longer 11-second period. Combined energy is 465. This is a solid, clean option for a reef break. The longer period should give the waves some shape and push, but it might make them a bit wally at the beach. Still, this is the best looking session in the second week.

Wednesday, August 5 keeps the clean theme going on the morning session. Light cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 6 mph, swell 4ft from the ENE, period 9 seconds, energy 275. It’s small but clean, a good one for the longboard or a fun fish.

After that, we hit a dry spell. From Thursday, August 6 right through to the end of the forecast, the wind turns onshore and the swell drops to 3ft or less. The last few days have some cross-offshore winds returning, but the swell is tiny and short period. There is a glimmer on Monday, August 10 morning with a clean cross-offshore breeze and a 6ft NE swell at 8 seconds, giving 495 energy. That’s a solid-sized, clean option, but it’s 14 days away, so take it with a grain of salt.

Overall, the best windows are Thursday afternoon, July 30 and Tuesday afternoon, August 4. The first is the standout for the near term, the second is your best bet in the second week.

Rusty.

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