Surf Forecasts:
Tunnels surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, E swell with 329 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tunnels this week:
The surf forecast for Tunnels over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tunnels in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tunnels over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s take a look at what’s brewing for Tunnels.
We’re starting off with a bit of a lull. The first few days are pretty weak, with small waves that just don’t have the juice. You’re not missing much if you stay on the beach.
It’s not until the 9th of August that things start to tick up a little, but even then, it’s still marginal. You’ll see waves around 5ft from the east, but the period is short – only about 7 seconds – so the energy is limited. The combined swell energy is around 300, which is moderate. Wind is cross-off from the east at 12 mph, keeping the surface clean, but the waves themselves are pretty average.
The real highlight in this 16-day forecast is the weekend of the 16th and 17th of August. The swell builds to a solid 7ft from the east-northeast, with an 8-second period. The combined energy jumps into the strong range, hitting 657 and 685. That’s serious push for Tunnels. The wind stays cross-off from the east at 12 mph, so the faces should be clean. This is expert territory – at 7ft, it’s too big for beginners. Water temperature is about 80°F, which is normal for this time of year.
Earlier, around the 13th and 14th of August, there’s a gradual increase, but it’s still in the marginal zone. The swell direction is east-northeast, which suits Tunnels’ optimum from the north. But the short period means the waves won’t have that deep, lined-up feel. Still, the wind is consistent and cross-off, so the conditions will be clean even if the waves aren’t firing.
Tunnels is a reef break, so it’s consistent and handles a good range of swell. Crowds can build when the waves get good, especially around the 15th and 16th when the swell peaks.
The second week sees the swell drop off. By the 19th and 20th of August, it’s back down to around 4ft to 5ft, with the period shortening again. The energy fades, and by the 20th, it’s looking pretty poor.
So, the standout window is the 16th and 17th of August. That’s when the size, direction, and wind all come together for a proper session at Tunnels.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | N 7 | NE 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 307 | 253 | 213 | 157 | 144 | 105 | 97 | 8 | 14 | 91 | 126 | 181 | 245 | 251 | 138 | 164 | 196 | 239 | 181 | 160 | 176 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:55AM0.55m | 10:16AM0.62m | 11:22AM0.69m | 12:17PM0.75m | 11:06PM0.21m | 1:04PM0.79m | 00:20AM0.24m | 1:46PM0.81m | 1:16AM0.28m | 2:25PM0.81m | 2:06AM0.33m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 1:19AM0.03m | 2:25AM0.02m | 3:36AM-0.00m | 7:49PM0.16m | 4:42AM-0.03m | 8:07PM0.13m | 5:39AM-0.05m | 8:30PM0.12m | 6:31AM-0.06m | 8:55PM0.11m | |||||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | ENE 8 | NNW 7 | N 7 | NE 7 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | N 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | W 10 | W 10 | E 7 |
| kJ | 307 | 253 | 213 | 20 | 19 | 105 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 29 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 91 | 54 | 196 | 164 | 19 | 19 | 176 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 12 | NNW 8 | W 12 | W 12 | NNW 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 14 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 10 |
| kJ | 25 | 25 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | W 12 | NNE 8 | SW 14 | W 11 | W 13 | NE 12 | NE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | N 6 | N 11 | N 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 25 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 56 | 157 | 144 | — | 97 | 55 | 54 | 91 | 126 | 181 | 245 | 251 | 138 | 164 | — | 239 | 181 | 160 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaua'i | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tunnels Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tunnels provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tunnels can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tunnels surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Tunnels) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Tunnels may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a vacation in Kaua'i? If you are looking for accommodation near Tunnels, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Kaua'i, consider staying in Lihue - Kauai which is 36 km (22 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Nawiliwili which is 36 km (22 miles) away
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