Kawela Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty.

Alright mate, let’s be straight—Kawela’s got a rough road ahead for the next sixteen days. The surf is coming in pulses but the wind is mostly a stubborn cross-off from the ENE, and a lot of the time the conditions just aren’t there for a decent paddle. Water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing wild.

We start with Sunday the 26th of July. It’s clear skies but that wind is up at 19 mph, making it a cross-off breeze. Swell is just 3 ft from the SSW, period a very long 16 seconds, with weak combined energy (544). The call is marginal at best. Honestly, not one to bother with.

Monday the 27th is much the same story. Same small 3 ft to 3 ft swell, cross-off wind, moderate energy (551 to 591). The odd risk of a thunderstorm too. Still nothing doing.

Tuesday the 28th sees the swell bump up—5 ft in the morning and 7 ft by afternoon, both from the ENE, period 13 seconds. Combined energy jumps to strong territory (1058 to 1612). But the ENE cross-off is still 12 mph and the forecast says marginal surf. This is getting a bit more size but messy with that wind.

Then Wednesday the 29th—now this is where it gets interesting. The wind drops to just 3 mph in the morning, glassy conditions, then some clouds but still glass in the afternoon. Swell is small, only 2 ft from the SSW with a long 14-second period, and combined energy is weak (215 to 219), but that clean surface is rare here. It’s an inconsistent spot at the best of times, so to have glassy conditions is a standout. This is your best bet across the whole forecast. If you’re a beginner, the size is fine. For the rest of us, it’s about the clean, lined-up sets on the reef. Crowds are often a thing here—expect company.

Thursday the 30th morning goes cross-shore light, tiny 2 ft S swell, period 14 seconds, energy building (465). Not terrible but not a clear winner. Afternoon goes back to cross-off ENE 16 mph, 4 ft short-period 7-second windswell, messy.

Friday the 31st through the first week of August is a write-off. Friday sees 5 ft to 6 ft short-period ENE windswell, cross-off winds 19 to 22 mph, energy moderate but conditions poor. Saturday the 1st of August the swell pushes 8 ft to 8 ft, still a short period 7 to 8 seconds. That’s expert-only territory given the size and wind, and even then it’s not going to be pretty. Kite surfers might get more out of it than paddle surfers.

Sunday the 2nd of August: 6 ft to 8 ft, still short period, cross-off winds—still poor.

Monday the 3rd of August: drops to 4 ft from the ENE, 8-second period, moderate breezes, marginal.

Tuesday the 4th of August: 4 ft ENE, periods stretch to 11–12 seconds, combined energy moderate-low (447 to 474). Cross-off winds still blow. Still marginal.

From Wednesday the 5th of August onward, the swell fades significantly, down to 1 ft to 3 ft, with periods varying but winds stay up around 16 to 19 mph, cross-off. Conditions are poor all the way to Monday the 10th of August. There’s a long gap of no decent surf from the 5th right through to the end of the forecast window.

So the real standout is Wednesday the 29th of July—that glassy window on a small but clean swell is the one to pencil in. After that, keep an eye on the long-range around Tuesday the 4th of August—that 4 ft ENE groundswell with a 12-second period might offer something if the winds ease, but it’s a long shot.

Stay keen, Rusty.

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