Kahului Harbor Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next stretch. We’re looking at Kahului Harbor on Maui, and honestly, it’s a bit of a slow burner for the first week and a half. The swell is coming in from the ENE, mostly around 4 ft to 6 ft, with a short period of 7 to 8 seconds, which means weak, choppy, and messy energy. The combined swell energy is low to moderate, with values like 169 and 355 (weak to moderate energy). The wind is a persistent cross-shore or cross-onshore breeze, 12 to 16 mph, so the surface is going to be a constant battle with wind chop. It’s poor surf, plain and simple. The water temperature is 79°, which is about average for the time of year, with a normal anomaly.

The first real sign of life shows up on Wednesday, 22nd July, in the afternoon. The swell picks up a bit to 5 ft from the ENE, with a period jumping to 11 seconds, which is a proper groundswell. The combined energy hits 524 (moderate wave energy). The wind is still cross-shore, but the longer period means there’s some shape to be had. It’s only a marginal call, though, and the wind might still mess it up. It’s not a standout, but it’s the first glimmer.

Then, from Sunday, 26th July, things get interesting. The swell direction shifts to due East, and the period goes nuclear – 16 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy rockets up to 1314 (strong wave energy) on Sunday morning, and stays high through Monday and Tuesday, with values over 1500 and 1800. The swell heights are 5 ft to 7 ft, so it’s got size with that incredible energy. The caveat here is that a long period swell like this, at a reef break like Kahului Harbor, can be really good. It tends to hold its shape and offer some proper stand-up barrels. But the wind is a cross-onshore, 6 to 12 mph, so it won’t be glassy. It’s a marginal forecast, but this is the best period on offer. The Sunday morning, 26th July, is the pick of the bunch for this stretch, with that 16-second period and lighter winds.

Now, the big one comes on Wednesday, 29th July. The forecast is calling for a massive 13 ft to 20 ft swell from the East and ENE, with a 14-second period. The combined energy is 6605 and 12203 (very strong wave energy). That is a serious, serious wall of water. The wind is a light cross-onshore, but the swell is simply too big for this spot. The guidance says it’s too big, and I agree. For an advanced-level reef break, anything over 8 ft is expert-only, and this is triple that. You’d be putting yourself in real danger. The following morning, Thursday, 30th July, it’s dropped to 10 ft, with glassy conditions in the morning, but still too big and powerful for the break. The entire week from 29th July is a warning, not a recommendation.

After that, the swell drops back down to 6 ft to 7 ft by Friday, 31st July, with a short period, and the wind is back on, so it’s back to poor conditions.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The standout is the window from Sunday, 26th July, through Tuesday, 28th July. It’s a long-period groundswell with good energy, but the wind is the enemy. The absolute best single session is Sunday morning, 26th July, with that 16-second period and lower winds, giving you the best chance of clean, powerful waves. Don’t even think about the 29th or 30th – that’s for the hero crew only, and even then, it’s likely too gnarly. The rest of the run is a dud.

Rusty.

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