Pohoiki Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Pohoiki (Big Island) – the only spot on the map, and it’s not doing us any favors. The water’s sitting at 27°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least the bath’s warm.

Sunday the 13th afternoon kicks things off with a weak knee-high pulse – 0.9m from the NNE, period around 9 seconds. Energy’s low, only 212, and there’s a cross-off wind that’ll clean it up, but it’s marginal at best. You’d be fighting for scraps.

From Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 15th, it drops to waist-high mush – 0.8m to 0.6m, short-period 8 to 11 seconds, but the wind goes cross or cross-on, so it’s chopped and messy. Not worth the drive.

Wednesday the 16th sees a bit more push – 1.2m in the morning, building to 1.5m by afternoon, with energy jumping to 378 and 448. But the period’s only 10 seconds, and the wind’s cross-off in the afternoon, so it’ll be clean-ish, though still junky. The comment flags it as poor – and I trust that.

Thursday the 17th gets real – 1.9m to 2.2m from the ENE, period 9 seconds, energy up to 581 and 711. But it’s full onshore and messy. This is where I’d start thinking about a kite rather than a board – the waves are there, but the quality is shot.

Friday the 18th through Sunday the 20th stays in the 1.8m to 2.0m range, but every session is cross-on or cross with chop. Periods drop to 8 seconds, so it’s junky, walled-up beach-break style, even though Pohoiki’s a reef. You’re getting pushed around more than you’re getting waves.

Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd keep the size – 1.7m to 2.3m – and energy climbs from 539 up to 986. But it’s still cross-on with that short 9-second period. Poor conditions written all over it.

Then Wednesday the 23rd throws a bit of a tantrum – 3.0m in the morning, energy at 2040, but the period’s only 10 seconds and the wind’s cross. That’s a lot of raw power with zero finesse. The comment says marginal, and honestly, at that size with that wind, you’re looking at a washing machine. If you’re a expert charger, maybe – but I wouldn’t.

From Thursday the 24th through Sunday the 28th, it backs down gradually – 1.9m down to 1.0m – but the period never gets above 8 or 9 seconds, and the wind stays cross or cross-on the whole time. Energy drops from 608 down to 181. It’s just grind, day after day.

The one bright spot in terms of raw size is Wednesday the 23rd’s morning – 3.0m, energy 2040 – that’s strong stuff. But it’s short-period and cross-shore, so it’s going to be lumpy and walled. Not the kind of swell that lights up a reef. And with that much water moving, it’s expert-only if anything.

Honestly, there’s no standout day here. No clean groundswell, no offshore wind, no long-period juice. The only consistency is the inconsistency of quality. It’s a blank run – happens sometimes.

Keep the board in the car, but don’t get your hopes up. This stretch is about as dead as it gets.

Rusty

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