Kewalos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for us.

We’re kicking off a slow start here. The first few days are looking pretty average, with nothing really firing. The water temp at Kewalos is sitting at 80.8°, which is about normal for this time of year – nothing weird going on there.

Thursday, September 3rd through Friday, September 4th are a write-off for any decent surf. We’ve got a messy 7.2ft swell coming from the ENE, but with a short, weak 7-second period and strong cross-off winds around 22 mph, it’s just not going to shape up. The combined energy is moderate, hitting around 977, but the quality is poor. Don’t bother.

Saturday, September 5th shows a little promise. The swell drops slightly to 7.2ft to 7.5ft from the ENE, but the period jumps to a more respectable 13 seconds, giving it some push. The combined energy ramps up strong to 2378. Winds are still cross-off at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean but a bit on the hefty side. This is getting into the territory where beginners might want to sit it out – over 5ft and clean but punchy. Still, not a standout yet.

Sunday, September 6th – the swell hangs in at 7.5ft from the ENE with a 12-second period. Energy is still strong at 2609. Morning winds drop to 12 mph cross-off, which is better. The issue is the risk of thunderstorms and the afternoon wind swinging cross-shore, lumping it up. It’s okay, but not the best.

Now, Monday, September 7th – this is where things get hairy. A big SSW groundswell pushes in. Morning sees 9.8ft at a very long 15-second period, with combined energy shooting up to a very strong 6186. That’s serious power. But the wind is cross from the east at 19 mph, making it lumpy. By afternoon, it jumps to 16.4ft with the same 15-second period, energy at a massive 13292 – but cross-onshore winds at 28 mph will absolutely trash it. This is only for the most experienced, and honestly, the wind is going to ruin it. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Tuesday, September 8th – the swell drops fast to 6.2ft from the south with a short 9-second period. Onshore wind in the morning, too. Not worth it.

Wednesday, September 9th through Thursday, September 10th – tiny. Swell drops to 2.6ft to 3.3ft from the east, with long 14-15 second periods. Clean with light cross-off winds, but just not enough size. Great for a log or a longboard, not a proper session.

Friday, September 11th – a bit more size, with 6.2ft from the ENE and a 12-13 second period. Winds are cross-off and moderate. Energy is moderate at around 1458. It’s clean and could be fun, but nothing to write home about.

Saturday, September 12th through Sunday, September 13th – holding steady at 6.2ft to 7.2ft from the ENE, but the period drops to just 8 seconds. That short period makes it weak and crumbly. Energy drops to the 578-751 range. Clean, but sloppy.

Monday, September 14th – a slight uptick. 7.5ft to 7.9ft from the ENE, period still short at 8 seconds. Energy is moderate at 1016-1211. The wind is light and cross-on, so a bit of ripple on the face. Still average.

Now, here’s the standout of the whole forecast: Tuesday, September 15th, morning. We get a clean 3.0ft SSW groundswell with an incredibly long 21-second period. That’s proper, deep-ocean energy. Combined energy is moderate at 1448, but with that period, the waves will have real shape and length. The wind is almost glassy – just a slight air from the ENE at 3 mph, making it cross-off and clean. This is a true window of excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The swell direction (SSW) matches well with what Kewalos likes. Because the period is over 15 seconds and it’s a reef break, it should line up beautifully. Keep in mind, though, for a reef break with that long period, it can push through a bit straight, but here it should be a gem. Crowds are often a thing here, so expect company.

After that, Wednesday, September 16th through Friday, September 18th – swell drops back to 3.0ft to 3.6ft from the SW and SSW, with periods hanging around 16-18 seconds. Clean and cross-off winds, but the size is small. The energy is moderate, around 616-1199. It’ll be a nice, mellow end to the period with clean conditions but not the punch of that Tuesday morning.

The Best Bet: Without a doubt, it’s Tuesday, September 15th, morning at Kew

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