Kewalos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Kewalos.

Overall, this is a stretch that’s going to test your patience. For the next week to ten days, the surf is on the small side and the wind is a constant cross-off from the ENE, which keeps things clean but not exactly pumping. The real standout energy doesn’t show up until the second half of the window, so we’ve got a bit of a lull to sit through first.

Right off the bat, Tuesday August 4th morning, we’ve got the pick of the early period. Swell is coming from the ENE at about 5 feet, with a period of 11 seconds, and the water is sitting at a warm 81°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 561 (moderate wave energy). The wind is a gentle breeze from the east, giving us that cross-off. It’s not firing, but it’s the most surfable we’ve got for a few days.

Wednesday August 5th drops off a bit, with the swell fading to about 4 feet and the period dropping to 10 seconds. The energy eases to 356 (moderate wave energy). Wind stays moderate from the ENE, still cross-off, but the wave quality is just not there.

Thursday August 6th and Friday August 7th are a write-off. The swell is tiny and mixed up, with some long-period SSW energy in the background that’s not hitting the break right. The wind picks up to a fresh breeze on Friday, so honestly, it’s a good time to do something else.

The weekend of August 8th and 9th sees a little bump in size, with swell around 5 to 6 feet, but the period is short at 7 seconds. That’s windswell, not groundswell, so the waves will be a bit lumpy and weak. The energy is climbing into the 500-600 range (moderate wave energy), but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off, which just makes it a messy, choppy affair. Not worth a paddle.

Monday August 10th through to Wednesday August 12th is more of the same – small to mediocre, with the wind staying strong. The energy on Wednesday afternoon does jump to 1018 (strong wave energy) from a south swell with a long 18 second period, but the direction is straight south, and the break (Kewalos) is a reef setup that really needs that optimum SSE direction. The wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-off, so the waves will be powerful but likely closed out and unruly.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The best window is the second week. Sunday August 16th brings a solid pulse. Swell hits about 10 feet from the ENE with an 8 second period. The energy is massive at 1541 (strong to very strong wave energy). The wind finally drops to a moderate 19 mph cross-off. That’s a lot of water moving, and at 10 feet, this is expert territory only. If you’re an experienced surfer, this is the one to circle.

Monday August 17th is the standout. The swell peaks at about 12 feet from the ENE, period 9 seconds, and the energy is off the charts at 2756 (very strong wave energy). The wind is a moderate 16 mph cross-off. This is big, powerful, and clean. The period is still short for a groundswell, so it’ll be a bit stacked, but on a reef, this will be a heavy, fast wave. Forget beginners, this is for the crew with the big balls only.

Tuesday August 18th is still pumping but dropping off, with about 8 feet of swell and the energy at 1090 (strong wave energy). The wind is still moderate and cross-off, making it a solid day for advanced surfers.

After that, Wednesday August 19th sees a quick fade to a long-period, small SSW swell, but the wind is back up, and it’s not worth the effort.

The real standout here is Monday August 17th. That combo of size, energy, and clean wind is the best on offer. Get on it if you’ve got the experience.

Rusty.

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