Surf Forecasts:
Tunnels surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, S swell with 617 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period with SSW 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s is also forecast. 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 1.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tunnels over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking at Tunnels.
We start off with nothing to write home about. The first few days are a total dud – cross-off breeze, small, weak swell, and not a surfer’s friend. The water is sitting at 27° with the anomaly basically flat, so about average for the time of year. You’ll be waiting until Monday the 7th of September before the ocean wakes up.
Monday morning the 7th, a proper long-period groundswell starts rolling in from the SSW at 3ft with a 17-second period. The combined energy is solid (813), and by the afternoon the wind goes light offshore from the ESE at just 3 mph. That’s glassy, clean conditions. This is a real standout – the kind of day you remember. The swell direction is SSW, which is a good match for the optimum SW direction at Tunnels. The energy builds further on Tuesday the 8th, with the morning still offshore and the afternoon seeing a jump to 5ft from the SSW, period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy cranks up to 1511. That’s expert territory, but on a reef like this, it’ll handle that long-period energy beautifully. Crowds are often an issue here, so expect company.
The quality window holds through Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th, then it fades. Wednesday the 9th is back to marginal with moderate cross-off breezes. There’s a tiny, clean snippet on Friday the 11th afternoon with 2ft from the SW and a long 16-second period, but it’s small and the energy is low (206). Not a standout.
The big story for the second week is the swell that arrives on Sunday the 13th of September. That morning we’re looking at 10ft from the SSW with a period of 12 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 2568. The afternoon pushes to 12ft and 3210 energy. That’s way too big for Tunnels, and the file itself says it’s too big for this break. Leave that one to the big-wave crew who know the place inside out, or don’t even bother. Monday the 14th is still solid but dropping, with 7ft from the WSW (a bit off the optimum) and a shorter 9-second period, and the winds are cross-off. It’s surfable but not the clean, lined-up perfection of the 7th and 8th.
After that, it’s all downhill. The last few days of the forecast drop right off, with tiny swell and fresh winds. A few days of nothing to get excited about.
So, if you’re picking your days, the clear standout is Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th of September. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Fri morning, light winds from the ENE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSE 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
422 | 314 | 360 | 422 | 396 | 275 | 206 | 318 | 505 | 566 | 563 | 584 | 569 | 532 | 466 | 354 | 344 | 459 | 589 | 596 | 481 | |
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-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:45PM0.44m | 7:29AM0.60m | 4:17PM0.39m | 9:01AM0.62m | 10:35AM0.66m | 11:45AM0.71m | 10:48PM0.23m | 12:37PM0.75m | 00:20AM0.28m | 1:19PM0.77m | 1:13AM0.34m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 12:20PM0.34m | 11:38PM0.09m | 2:33PM0.39m | 00:15AM0.09m | 1:09AM0.11m | 2:38AM0.12m | 8:32PM0.22m | 8:20PM0.20m | 5:39AM0.10m | 8:31PM0.18m | |||||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSE 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 |
422 | 314 | 360 | 422 | 396 | 275 | 206 | 318 | 505 | 566 | 563 | 584 | 569 | 532 | 713 | 825 | 725 | 713 | 953 | 762 | 819 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 12 | S 13 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 12 | S 14 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | E 13 | SSW 17 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 12 |
30 | 77 | 79 | 21 | 37 | 37 | 136 | 144 | 12 | 6 | 37 | 173 | 119 | 73 | 466 | 354 | 344 | 298 | 589 | 596 | 325 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 14 | E 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | S 21 | SW 13 | N 11 | NNE 10 | SSW 18 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 15 |
52 | 53 | 51 | 30 | 16 | 55 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 21 | 120 | 45 | 171 | 268 | 459 | 224 | 237 | 481 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NNE 6 | — | — | NNE 6 | — | NE 14 | — |
368 | 321 | 378 | 414 | 429 | 482 | 449 | 804 | 752 | 661 | 565 | 247 | 894 | 928 | 59 | — | — | 19 | — | 251 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 68 | 71 | 71 | 102 | 68 | 69 | 71 | 68 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Molokai | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 Molokai? If you are looking for accommodation near Tunnels, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Molokai, consider staying in Kaunakakai - Molokai which is 20 km (12 miles) away. Other places in and around Molokai where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Lanai - Lanai which is 53 km (33 miles) away, Kailua, Honolulu and Kane'ohe.











