Rock Point/Pohakuloa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for Rock Point/Pohakuloa.

Looking at the big picture, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’re staring down the barrel of a long, disappointing run with very little to get excited about for the next couple of weeks. There’s a gap of almost a full week with no real recommendations, and most of what we do see is just not worth paddling out for.

The only spot that even gets a mention is Rock Point/Pohakuloa, a reef and point setup that’s inconsistent and can get crowded. It’s exposed to the NE, but the swell energy we’re seeing is mostly weak to moderate (196) early on, with a short, choppy period of 8 seconds. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much average for this time of year.

Right from the start, Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are write-offs. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the ENE, but the wind is a cross-shore mess, and the conditions are just poor. The energy is weak, and the sets are short and fat.

Thursday the 20th offers a slight glimmer. The swell drops to 3ft from the E, and the wind turns light cross-offshore, making things clean. The energy is low (126), but for a beginner or someone just wanting to get wet, it’s surfable. The period is still short at 8 seconds, so don’t expect any power.

Then we hit a massive dry spell. From Friday the 21st right through to Monday the 1st of September, it’s all poor surf conditions. The swell builds from 4ft up to a chunky 12ft late in August, but the wind is a relentless cross-shore gale, turning the ocean into a lumpy, choppy mess. The energy climbs from moderate (163) to very strong (1441) by the 30th, but it’s all for nothing with that wind. By Sunday the 30th, the swell is 12ft from the E with a period of 8 seconds – that’s big, steep, and messy. Way too big for beginners, and probably only fun for experts if you can find a clean corner, but the cross-shore wind will ruin it. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Finally, on Wednesday the 2nd of September, we get a little hope. The swell drops to 6ft from the E, and the period stretches to 10 seconds, which is a nice groundswell. The wind turns cross-off from the NE, giving us clean conditions. The energy is high (950). It’s still a marginal call, and the tide could be tricky, but it’s the first time in over a week that the conditions line up. It’s a long way out, so take it with a grain of salt, but if you’re keen, mark that Wednesday afternoon.

So, the standout? It’s a weak one, but Thursday the 20th is the only clean, small-wave option for the near future. For the long-range, Wednesday the 2nd of September is the promise of a proper swell with clean wind, but it’s a long way off. Keep your eyes on the forecast.

Rusty.

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