Keaulanas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s check out the waves for the next couple of weeks.

This is a long, drawn-out period of really small, clean but forgettable surf. The whole 16-day stretch is a grind, with no big, punchy swells to get anyone fired up. The swell energy is weak to moderate, and the wave heights stay tiny. The only real highlight is a brief window of slightly better, cleaner conditions towards the end of the first week and into the start of the second.

The only spot in the game is Keaulanas, a beach and reef setup that’s consistent and open to the west. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

The first few days, from Wednesday the 22nd through Friday the 24th, are a bit of a letdown. You’ve got a long-period groundswell from the SSW, but the swell height is only 2ft to 3ft. The combined energy is moderate (627-795), but the wind is a steady cross-off or fresh offshore breeze. The reports call it marginal, just surfable but nothing to rush out for. The period is very long, over 15 seconds, which means the waves will have good shape and energy for their size, but the lulls between sets will be long. You’ll be waiting a while.

Saturday the 25th is more of the same: a small SSW swell, 3ft at the peak, with moderate wave energy (779). The wind turns to a clean offshore in the afternoon, which is a nice touch. It’s still small, but it’ll be clean.

Now, here’s the one window that’s worth the paddle. Sunday morning, July 26th. The swell is still only 3ft from the SSW, but the period is 16 seconds, giving it a bit of push. The combined energy is moderate (506). The wind is a moderate offshore, and the report says “expect very good surf conditions.” For this tiny stretch, that’s your best bet. Keep in mind, it’s a beach and reef break, so the long period might make it a bit straight at the beach, but the reef sections could hold it together. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it won’t be packed.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th slide back into the “surfable but very ordinary” category. The swell drops to 2ft to 3ft, the period shortens, and the energy fades (187-303). The wind is still offshore, so it’ll be clean, but it’s small.

The real bummer hits from Wednesday, July 29th, through the end of the forecast. The swell direction switches to the S and then SW, the wave heights hover around 1ft to 2ft, and the combined energy plummets. On the 30th, we get onshore wind and choppy conditions, which is just a write-off. There’s a glimmer on Friday morning, July 31st, with glassy conditions and a 2ft SW swell, but it’s weak.

From August 1st onwards, it’s a real struggle. The swell is tiny, 1ft to 2ft, with very weak energy (73-204). The wind is mostly offshore or cross-off, so it’s clean, but you’re surfing ankle-biters. The 4th of August sees the weakest energy of the entire run at 73-80, just a ripple.

So, to sum it up: if you’re itching for a paddle, Sunday morning, July 26th is your one chance for a decent, clean session on small, long-period groundswell. After that, it’s a long, flat grind. This is one of those stretches where the forecast can change, but for now, it’s looking like a good week to wax the longboard or just watch the horizon.

Rusty.

Read more