Lahaina Breakwall/Harbour Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first real surfable waves show up on Friday the 4th of September, but conditions are pretty ordinary. The swell is small, only 2ft from the S with a 13-second period, so it’s a long-period groundswell that will wrap in nicely. The offshore wind is a solid 12 mph from the ENE, which will keep it clean, but the wave energy is only moderate (163-215). Nothing to get too excited about.

Saturday the 5th sees a tiny bump – the swell pushes to 3ft from the SSW, 12-second period. The wind on Saturday morning is light and cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. By the afternoon, the wind shifts to a gentle offshore from the NE, and the energy picks up a bit (283). It’s still not a standout, but it’s a step up.

Sunday the 6th gets a bit more interesting. The swell builds to 4ft-4ft from the SW, with a 13-second period that stretches to 14 seconds by the afternoon. Wave energy climbs to moderate-to-strong (421-581). The wind is light and cross-offshore, so the surface will be clean. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is about average for this time of year.

Now, Monday the 7th is where it gets a bit rowdy. The swell jumps to 6ft from the SW, with a 15-second period, so we’re talking serious groundswell energy. The combined energy shoots up to 1793 – that’s strong. The morning looks clean with light cross-offshore wind from the E. By the afternoon, the swell hits 8ft from the WSW, still with a 15-second period, and the energy is pumping (2585). But the wind goes cross-shore, so there’ll be a bit of cross-chop. This is big, powerful swell – over 8ft, so it’s really only for experienced surfers. The long period means it’ll be better at the reef, and with that much energy, expect some big sets.

After Monday, it drops off quickly. Tuesday the 8th sees messy conditions – the swell is much smaller (4ft) and the period drops to 10 seconds, with cross-onshore wind making it choppy. The rest of the week from the 9th through the 14th is pretty small – 0.9ft to 2ft swells, mostly from the SSW or SW. The wind is often offshore, so the surface will be clean, but there’s just not enough push to get excited. Wave energy is weak to moderate (57-173). You’ll have a few surtable waves, but it’s very ordinary.

There’s a gap of about 5 days of small, weak surf before things start to perk up again around the 15th. That Tuesday, the 15th, we see a tiny swell from the SW with a very long period of 21 seconds – that’s a real groundswell, but only 1ft to 2ft. The energy is still moderate (115-219). Wind is offshore and clean, so it’ll be glassy, but you’ll be scratching for waves.

The real standout of the second week looks like Wednesday the 16th of September. The swell is only 2ft, but the period is 18 seconds, so it’s a long-period groundswell. The energy is moderate (300). The wind is light offshore from the NE, so it’ll be glassy and clean. This is a classic small but clean groundswell day for the reef. Perfect for a longboard.

The rest of the week from the 17th to the 19th stays small, with 2ft to 2ft swells from the SW, long periods (16-19 seconds), and mostly light offshore winds. The energy stays moderate (245-287). It’s not pumping, but it’s consistent and clean. If you’re patient, there’ll be fun waves.

Best on offer: If you’re an expert, Monday the 7th is the biggest swell of the whole period, with strong energy and a solid 8ft face. For everyone else, Wednesday the 16th looks like the pick: clean, glassy, and that long-period groundswell will wrap around the reef nicely. Crowds are possible at Lahaina Breakwall/Harbour, so keep that in mind.

Rusty.

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