Nanakuli Blackrocks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Nanakuli Blackrocks. This spot is a sneaky little reef setup that rarely breaks, but when it does, it can be a treat. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a slow burn, but there’s one clear standout that’s worth circling on the calendar.

The first week is all about small, clean, but very marginal surf. Saturday the 22nd through to the end of August sees a persistent, moderate offshore breeze from the ENE, keeping the surface glassy, but the swell is tiny—hovering around 2ft to 3ft. The swell is coming from the SSW and S with a long period (14 to 18 seconds), which is a proper groundswell, but there’s just not enough size to get excited about. The combined energy sits in the moderate range (between 264 and 789), which sounds decent, but the wave height is just too small for a proper session. It’s more of a longboard or a funboard rig if you’re desperate. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit needed.

The real standout comes mid-week, on Wednesday the 26th of August. That afternoon, the swell ticks up to 3ft from the south (S) with a 18-second period, and the combined energy hits 546—still moderate, but the quality is there. The wind is a moderate offshore from the ENE, meaning clean, lined-up waves. This is the best on offer in the first half of the window. Thursday the 27th is also solid, with a 4ft south swell (17-second period) and energy up to 789, but the wind remains offshore, so it’s a close second.

After that, the surf fades again through the end of August and into the first week of September. The 30th of August sees a drop-off, with energy falling to 103 on the Sunday afternoon, and the wind picking up to a fresh 19 mph. Not worth paddling out.

Then, a promising window opens up from the 1st of September. Tuesday the 1st has a 2ft to 3ft south swell with a very long 19-second period, and the wind is light cross-off. The energy is moderate (354 to 460). The real gem is Wednesday the 2nd of September, afternoon. The wind goes glassy (NW, 3 mph), the swell is 3ft from the south with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is 470. This is the top pick of the entire forecast. Glassy conditions, a solid long-period groundswell, and a wedgey reef break that handles that direction well. Crowds are possible at Nanakuli Blackrocks, so get there early.

Thursday the 3rd is also clean, with a glassy morning and a light cross-off afternoon, but the swell is dropping (2ft to 3ft). The 5th of September has a 1ft swell with a 20-second period—very long period but tiny, so it’s more of a novelty. The 6th of September brings a 2ft swell from the SW with a 18-second period and moderate offshore wind, a decent way to close out the window.

Overall, don’t expect much action until the 26th of August, then again on the 1st and 2nd of September. The absolute best is Wednesday afternoon the 2nd of September. Mark it. A rare break, glassy, clean, and a touch of south swell with real energy. It’s a long wait, but worth it.

- Rusty

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