Kalapaki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Kauai's got cookin'.

Straight up, the 16-day window for Kalapaki Beach looks, well, more like a bit of a downer than a proper swell window. We've got a bit of a dry spell to start. The first thing that pops is from Saturday the 9th of August, but it’s not exactly something to write home about.

For the first few days, we’re dealing with crumbly, short-period windswell from the ENE around 5ft, but the wind is a problem. It’s coming across the bay from the ENE at 15-16 mph, so it’s cross and cross-on, kicking up a lumpy cross-chop. That’s not the clean stuff we dream about. The wave energy is moderate, coming in around 435 to 537 on the scale.

There’s a real glimmer late on Wednesday the 12th and into Thursday the 13th. A long-period southerly groundswell starts to arrive with periods climbing to 16 to 18 seconds. The combined energy jumps into the three-figure range, hitting 1193 and even 1258. Swell heights are only around 3ft, but that long period means it’ll have some shape. The drawback? The wind is still cross from the NE at 15-16 mph, which keeps it from being pristine. It’ll be a bit lumpy, but those long lines from the S should wrap in and offer something better than the windswell. This is the most promising stretch.

Then things get interesting, but not necessarily good. Around Saturday the 15th, the wind backs off slightly to a cross-off from the NNE, and the swell jumps to 8ft to 10ft from the ENE. The energy rockets up to 2560. The wind is clean, which is a major positive. But 10ft with that short 9-second period and strong cross-shore current? That’s a lot of closeout, chunky power. This is expert territory, and honestly, with the lumpy wind and that short-period swing, it might be more fun on a kite.

By Sunday the 16th, it looks even gnarlier. A strong breeze from the N at 25 mph with a cross-off wind, but that southerly swell is still in the mix at 8ft. The energy is massive at 4768. That is powerful, confused, and dicey. Not for the casual surfer.

After that, the second week from Monday the 17th onward sees the swell stay in the 5ft-8ft range, but the wind stays stubbornly cross, cross-on, or onshore from the ENE to SE. The period drops back to 7-8 seconds. It’s a week of poor, choppy conditions, with moderate wave energy hanging around 400-600. Not much to chase.

One thing to mention: the water temp is sitting at 27°C (about 80°F) with no anomaly, so it’s exactly what you’d expect for this time of year in Hawaii.

The standout: If you’re going to paddle out, make it the morning of Thursday, August 13th. The 5ft swell from the S with 16-second period (1258 energy) is your best shot at a clean-ish, long-period wave. It’s a reef break, so that long period should really peel nicely. The wind is still cross, but it’s the best compromise we get.

Crowd note: Kalapaki is often a busy spot, so expect company, especially if it looks half-decent.

Rusty, signing off.

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