Kihei Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for this stretch.

We’ve got a solid run ahead, starting right now and carrying through the whole 16-day window. It’s not going to be a week of pumping barrels, but there’s plenty of small, clean, rideable fun to be had, especially for the beginner crew and anyone who just wants to get wet on a longboard. The standout period sits in the middle of the forecast, and we’ll talk about that.

We kick off on the morning of Thursday the 10th of September at Kihei Cove with tiny 2ft swell from the SW. It’s glassy as, and the water’s sitting at a pleasant 80°, pretty much spot on average for this time of year – nothing unusual there. The energy is moderate, around the 264 mark, but these are long period swells pushing 16 seconds. That means some nice shaped waves, but it might be a bit clean and straight-running for a beach setup. Still, for a beginner reef, it’s nice and gentle.

Moving through Thursday afternoon it cleans up even more, offshore wind fills in from the ENE at 6 mph, and you get 2ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period. The energy is still moderate (287). It’s a good little afternoon cruise.

Friday the 11th through to Sunday the 13th stays consistent: same story, clean, glassy mornings, light offshore afternoons, tiny swell between 1ft to 2ft. The period starts dropping from 16 seconds down to 12 seconds by Sunday morning, and the energy fades from 252 down to 117 by Sunday morning. That Sunday morning is glassy, 1ft from the SSW – basically a millpond. The afternoon bumps back up a touch, but nothing major.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 14th afternoon, a real long period groundswell shows up: 22 seconds out of the SW, height pushing 2ft but the energy jumps to 276. The wind is cross-offshore from the N at 9 mph, so the waves will be clean but a bit lined up. The real highlight starts Tuesday the 15th. Tuesday morning we get 2ft SW swell at 20 seconds, combined energy climbing to 392. Light offshore wind, glassy. That’s your best session in the whole run: consistent, clean, long period groundswell. This spot is very consistent, so you know it’ll be breaking. Watch out for crowds though – the spot sees people often, so get in early.

Tuesday afternoon turns to glass with zero wind, still 2ft and 20-second swell, energy up to 426. Maybe a risk of a t-storm, but if you’re in the water, the surface will be butter.

Wednesday the 16th keeps delivering: morning glassy 3ft from the SSW, 18 seconds, energy 434. Afternoon picks up to 3ft from the SW, 18 seconds, with cross-offshore wind – tops out with energy at 468. That’s a notably fun little bump.

From Thursday the 17th through to Sunday the 21st, we stay in the 2ft to 3ft range, mostly SW and SSW swells, periods between 14 and 17 seconds, energies hovering in the 400s and 500s – moderate to strong energy. Winds stay favourable: glassy mornings, light offshore or cross-off afternoons. The strongest reading hits on Friday the 18th afternoon with 3ft SSW, 17 seconds, and energy at 613. That’s the punchiest conditions of the outlook, though still mellow enough for beginners. Not a single day goes above 3ft, so it’s never too big for beginners.

Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd drop off a little – 2ft S swell, periods around 13 seconds, energy in the low 200s. Still clean, still surfable, but nothing special.

The final few days from Wednesday the 24th to Friday the 25th fade out. We get another bump on Wednesday the 23rd morning with 2ft SW at 18 seconds, energy 370, but after that the winds get a bit stronger and more cross-offshore. Thursday the 24th sees 2ft to 2ft, but the wind picks up to 12 mph by afternoon and there’s a marginal tide note. Friday the 25th afternoon drops to 2ft, only 15 seconds, energy at 196.

Bottom line: Kihei Cove is the only show in town, and it’s a solid, consistent little run of clean, small waves. The real standout is Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th – that’s the sweet spot: glassy, long period groundswell, moderate energy, swells coming from the SW which matches the optimum direction for this spot. It’s not big, but it’s clean as a whistle.

Rusty out.

Read more