Kahului Harbor Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for Kahului Harbor over the next two weeks.

Honestly, it's a tough stretch. The wind is a real problem. For the first ten days or so, it's a constant battle with cross and cross-onshore breezes, making nearly everything choppy and messy. The swell is running, but the quality just isn't there. The water temperature is sitting at a comfortable 79°, which is about average for this time of year, but that's the only thing that's easy to enjoy.

We start off on Thursday, July 16, with a weak 2 ft NNE swell (wave energy a low 83). It's a sad little thing—poor surf conditions with a moderate cross-shore chop. The afternoon brings a little more size at 4 ft from the east, but it's still a mess. This pattern pretty much holds through the weekend and into the start of the next week. The swell stays small, often under 5 ft, but the wind is relentless, keeping things choppy. The combined energy is moderate, climbing into the 100s and 200s, but it doesn't translate to any real quality.

There is a glimmer on Tuesday, July 21, when a very long-period 14-second swell from the east shows up. The wave energy jumps to 298, but the wind is still cross-onshore, so it's a frustrating tease. The next few days are more of the same: some moderate wave energy (up to 422 on Thursday, July 23) but with a cross-shore wind that keeps the surface bumpy.

Then we get to the real standout, but it's not for everyone. Saturday, July 25, and especially Sunday, July 26, see a big jump in size. The swell hits 5 ft to 6 ft from the east-northeast, with energy readings climbing into the mid-to-high hundreds. By Sunday the 26th, we're looking at a 5 ft to 5 ft groundswell with a very long period of 16 to 17 seconds. The combined energy is massive (1490 to 1584), showing a lot of power is coming in. This is a proper groundswell, but the wind is still cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. With the size and the chop, it's really only something for the more experienced crew.

The real monster is brewing for the end of the month. Monday, July 27, is a write-off for most, but Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29, are the real story. The swell is predicted to arrive at 10 ft to 12 ft from the east-northeast, with a very long period of 12 to 13 seconds. The combined energy readings are absolutely massive, hitting 3172 and 3399 on Tuesday, and 3858 on Wednesday. That's a huge amount of water moving. The wind is actually forecast to be light, with a light cross or cross-onshore breeze. This is a serious, powerful swell, but it's too big for this spot. The forecast itself says it's too big for the break. This is for absolute experts only, and even then, expect a washing machine. The wind is better, but the size is the limiting factor.

After that, things drop off quickly. Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31, are back to small, choppy, and poor surf conditions.

So, the best of a bad lot? If you're an expert with a death wish, the 28th and 29th of July are the most powerful, but it's a serious, dangerous proposition. For the average surfer, there's really nothing clean to recommend. The wind and the chop ruin nearly every day. The whole setup is so messy that for the first ten days, it honestly looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The gap between the start of the period and the first real swell is filled with constant poor conditions. It's a rough outlook.

Rusty, signing off.

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