Kailua Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Kailua Beach.

Right off the bat, it’s a rough start. We’ve got a long stretch of ugly weather ahead. From Monday the 31st of August all the way through to Monday the 7th of September, the surf is basically a write-off. Strong onshore winds from the ENE, constantly blowing in the 19 to 25 mph range, are just shredding the surface. Even with solid swell in the water – we’re seeing consistent 5.9 ft to 8.2 ft – the conditions are just poor. The wave energy is moderate to moderate-strong (408 to 996) but it’s all wind-affected junk. Not worth paddling out for. That’s a solid 8-day gap where I wouldn’t bother.

Then, finally, things take a wild turn. On Tuesday, September 8th, the winds swing offshore from the SW in the morning. The swell jumps up to a solid 16.4 ft from the east, with a moderate period of 11 seconds. The combined energy rockets to 5204 – that’s strong to very strong. This is a power day. But fair warning: 16.4 ft at a point break like Kailua is expert territory only. It’s not for the faint of heart. That said, the morning session could be a true standout if you’ve got the skills. The wind is moderate offshore and clean. By the afternoon, the wind goes cross-off from the south, and the swell drops to 11.5 ft from the east. Still solid, still heavy. This is the only real highlight in the whole 16-day window.

After that big pulse, it settles back down. From Wednesday the 9th of September into the following week, it’s back to onshore and cross-onshore winds, with swell easing from 8.2 ft down to 4.9 ft. The energy drops from moderate back to weak (864 down to 304). It’s mostly poor surf through that whole stretch.

There is a small window late in the period where the wind goes light. On Sunday, September 13th, the afternoon looks glassy with a light WNW air and the swell sitting at 6.2 ft from the ENE. Period is short at 8 seconds, but the combined energy is moderate (489). The water temp is 80.4°F, which is about average for this time of year. This session is listed as "expect good surf conditions" – so if you want a clean, cruisy session without the heavy juice, that Sunday arvo is your best bet later on.

Bottom line: the entire first week is a no-go. The big standout is Tuesday morning, September 8th – but only for experts. For everyone else, hold out for that glassy Sunday afternoon on September 13th.

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