Nimitz Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty lookin’ at what we’ve got on offer for the next couple of weeks. To be honest, it’s a real quiet stretch for Nimitz Beach (Oahu). There’s no standout surf right at the start, so we have a gap of several days with no real recommendation.

The first flicker of anything worthwhile shows up on Sunday, July 5th. We’ve got a very long-period groundswell rollin’ in from the SSW at 3 ft, with a period of 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and that long period (over 15 seconds) is usually a good sign for a reef break like this – the waves will have real shape and energy, but the sets will be spaced out, makin’ the paddle out a bit easier. The combined swell energy is moderate, sittin’ at 716. The big dampener here is that nasty 19 mph cross-offshore wind from the ENE. That’s a fresh breeze and it’s goin’ to mess with the face, so it’s really just a marginal call. It’s clean on the surface, but that wind is strong.

We then hit a long, dry spell. From Monday, July 6th through to Saturday, July 11th, it’s all poor surf or tiny, weak waves that just aren’t worth paddlin’ out for. The swell drops right off.

The next wave of interest kicks off on Sunday, July 12th. We see that same long-period SSW groundswell stickin’ around (3 ft, 16 seconds) and the combined energy is back up to a moderate 745. But again, that ENE wind is crankin’ at 16 mph. It’s a consistent pattern of moderate swell but with that persistent cross-offshore breeze that just ruins the quality.

Maybe the most interesting period is around Tuesday, July 14th through Wednesday, July 15th. We get a shift in swell direction to a nice long-period W swell at 2-3 ft with a period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is climbin’ into that high end of moderate, peepin’ at 970. The wind is still a moderate breeze from the ENE at 16-19 mph. This is probably the best on offer – it’s the biggest pulse of energy, and the W swell is a better match for the break’s optimum direction (South). Still, that wind is the enemy here, so it’s only a marginal option for the experienced who really want to get wet.

By Thursday, July 16th, we finally get a small break in the wind. The morning is a cross-shore with some chop, but the afternoon lightens up to a moderate 12 mph ENE breeze, and the score bumps up to a 2. Still, the swell is only 2 ft from the W. The following Friday, July 17th, has a short-period 5 ft E swell (7 seconds) in the morning, but that’s a messy, wind-swell combo that won’t hold up well on this reef.

Overall, this is a lean stretch. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. If you’re desperate, the best bet is that W swell window around July 14th and 15th. Otherwise, pick up a longboard and hope the wind lays down.

- Rusty

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