Surf Forecasts:
Tunnels surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, NW swell with 398 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period with NW 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 (Sep 09) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tunnels in the next 16 days are 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tunnels over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Tunnels. This is a consistent, exposed reef break that takes a northerly swell. The water temp is sitting at 80°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
Right now, this Wednesday morning, we’ve got a clean 5ft NW swell with glassy conditions. The combined swell energy is moderate at 797. It’s a solid start, but the swell direction is a bit off the optimum and the period is only 10 seconds, so the ride might not be as lined up as it could be. Still, a very good session for the advanced crew.
The real standout window is later in the forecast. The whole second week builds up nicely. Starting on the 21st of September, Monday afternoon, we see a 3ft swell from the east with a very long period of 14 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy jumps to 598. The wind is glassy from the east-southeast. This is where Tunnels will really shine. The long period means it’ll be a bit more selective, but on a reef like this, the shape will be beautiful.
The best of the best, though, looks to be the 24th of September. Thursday morning and afternoon both have 5ft to 6ft east swell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is strong, over 1100. The wind is light and cross-off, making for clean, powerful waves. This is expert territory at that size, and it’s going to be a standout session if you can handle it. The reef will be firing.
There’s a bit of a lull in the middle of the first week with some smaller, weaker swell and cross-shore winds, so don’t expect much from the 12th to the 16th. But after that, the energy builds back up.
Keep your eyes on the 21st through the 24th. That’s the gold window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 10 | NW 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | E 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NW 10 | NNE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 398 | 260 | 128 | 138 | 228 | 163 | 117 | 300 | 328 | 160 | 122 | 112 | 112 | 107 | 129 | 86 | 82 | 54 | 42 | 37 | 62 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:54PM0.72m | 2:04AM0.46m | 2:25PM0.67m | 2:46AM0.52m | 2:54PM0.60m | 3:27AM0.57m | 3:18PM0.53m | 4:10AM0.60m | 3:40PM0.45m | 4:53AM0.61m | 3:55PM0.38m | 5:40AM0.60m | 3:55PM0.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:59PM0.09m | 7:20AM0.04m | 8:20PM0.07m | 8:07AM0.08m | 8:40PM0.06m | 8:54AM0.12m | 9:01PM0.05m | 9:43AM0.17m | 9:22PM0.05m | 10:38AM0.21m | 9:44PM0.05m | 11:55AM0.25m | 10:07PM0.06m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 11 | NE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 398 | 260 | 128 | 138 | 228 | 163 | 93 | 56 | 328 | 160 | 95 | 112 | 112 | 107 | 129 | 86 | 82 | 54 | 42 | 30 | 57 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NW 8 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NNE 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NE 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 269 | 184 | 69 | 108 | 73 | 71 | 44 | 13 | 12 | 70 | 122 | 85 | 59 | 42 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 25 | 24 | 27 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | NW 13 | W 11 | WNW 10 | SE 8 | SSW 22 | ESE 8 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 130 | 125 | 119 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 9 | 22 | 21 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 28 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 46 | 6 | 60 | 37 | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 117 | 300 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 27 | 38 | 30 | 25 | 27 | 37 | 62 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6 | 25 | 0 | 25 | 32 | 0 |
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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