James Kealoha Beach Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, this stretch looks like a bit of a struggle. We’ve got a long period of mediocre conditions, with light winds but mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the swell just doesn’t have the punch or the direction to make things really sing. The best window is looking like the middle of the second week, but even then, it’s not a classic.

The only spot in the game is James Kealoha Beach Park, a reef break that’s fairly consistent. The water is sitting at 81°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off on Monday, 7 September, with a solid 7ft ENE swell running at 12 seconds, and the combined energy is strong at 1125. That’s a lot of water moving around, but the wind is a cross-off SE breeze at 16 mph, which keeps things clean. The problem is the forecast says "marginal surf or questionable tide conditions," so it’s not firing on all cylinders. Monday afternoon is similar, 7ft, 12 seconds, 1222 energy, but the wind picks up to 19 mph.

Tuesday, 8 September, the swell drops to 5ft from the NE, period 10 seconds, energy down to 856. The morning is still clean but the wind is cross-off. The afternoon is the best of the early run: 4ft, period 10 seconds, 645 energy, and the wind drops to just 6 mph from the SSE. That’s light enough to be glassy. The forecast says "expect very good surf conditions," but it’s still a beginner-friendly size, and the direction is NE, which is not the optimum NE direction for this break. It’s a solid option, but not a standout.

From Wednesday, 9 September, through to the end of the first week, we’re looking at a steady drop in swell size and energy. The wind stays mostly cross-off or light, but the waves are small, between 2ft and 4ft, with periods mostly under 10 seconds. The energy dips into the 100s and 200s, which is weak. Thursday, 10 September, is a washout with poor surf and cross-on wind.

The weekend of 12-13 September is tiny and messy. The best chance for a decent surf comes around Tuesday, 15 September, with a 4ft E swell, 8-second period, 213 energy, and light ESE cross-off wind. The forecast says "expect good surf conditions." That’s the pick of the second week, but keep in mind the period is short, so the waves will be a bit weaker and more crumbly.

The following days through to the end of the forecast on 22 September are mostly in the 3ft to 5ft range, but the wind turns cross-on or cross, and the energy stays moderate at best. None of it is worth waking up early for unless you’re desperate for a paddle.

So, the standout is the Tuesday afternoon session on 8 September. It’s not going to be a day for the history books, but with light winds, clean conditions, and a solid 4ft on offer, it’s the most surfable moment in the whole run. The rest of the time, you’re looking at a lot of waiting and hoping the forecasts change.

Rusty.

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