Surf Forecasts:
Tunnels surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 368 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period with SW 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period. 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 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tunnels over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on offer for this stretch.
First up, we’ve got Tunnels. It’s a spot that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the swell, so it’s got potential. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing too wild.
The outlook is a bit of a slow burn. There’s a real gap at the start. Tuesday the 18th brings a tiny 2ft S swell with a long 13-second period, but the ENE wind is blowing 12-16 mph cross-off, so it’s only marginal. The combined energy is moderate early on (237) but drops off fast. Wednesday the 19th is even smaller, with 2ft S swell and poor conditions. Honestly, for the first few days, you’re better off waiting.
The first real standout pops up on Thursday the 20th. The morning session is looking nice with a 2ft SW groundswell, a long 18-second period, and light ENE breeze at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (249), and the surf is clean. This is a proper little window for a longboard or a funboard. The swell direction is the sweet spot for Tunnels.
Friday the 21st of August is the absolute pick of the bunch. The morning is glassy – zero wind from the SSW, with a 2ft SW swell and a 17-second period. The combined energy is moderate (295). That’s as clean as it gets. The afternoon stays clean with a light 3 mph cross-off. This is the one to circle.
Saturday the 22nd starts clean and moderate in energy (343) with a 2ft SW swell, but the wind picks up to 12 mph by morning and 19 mph by the afternoon, making it a cross-off mess. The energy is still there, but the wind ruins it.
From Sunday the 23rd all the way through to the end of the first week of September, it’s a tough run. The wind is a relentless ENE cross-off, blowing 19-22 mph day after day. The swell fluctuates between 2ft and 3ft from the S or SSW, with periods ranging from 11 to 18 seconds, but the energy is often moderate (200-411 range) or even weak (down to 49 at the end). But with that constant fresh breeze, conditions are poor. The only real note is that on the 26th of August, the combined energy hits 411, which is moderate, but it’s still blown out.
So, if you’re hanging out for a wave, the morning of Thursday the 20th is a solid option, but the absolute standout is the glassy morning on Friday the 21st of August. After that, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions until the 31st of August, where the swell bumps up to 3ft but with a short 9-second period and that same pesky wind. It’s a bit of a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
222 | 162 | 162 | 117 | 69 | 71 | 129 | 249 | 200 | 278 | 295 | 201 | 322 | 261 | 255 | 152 | 146 | 100 | 100 | |
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 | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:06AM0.54m | 4:39PM0.41m | 9:38AM0.56m | 11:09AM0.58m | 12:10PM0.62m | 12:53PM0.66m | 11:49PM0.25m | 1:28PM0.69m | 00:44AM0.28m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 00:19AM0.13m | 2:29PM0.40m | 00:47AM0.14m | 1:26AM0.15m | 2:37AM0.16m | 4:10AM0.16m | 9:14PM0.24m | 5:23AM0.13m | 9:06PM0.23m | ||||||||||
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
6:57 | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | ENE 6 | S 13 | E 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | E 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | SW 17 | NE 6 | SSW 16 | ENE 6 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
222 | 75 | 162 | 86 | 40 | 26 | 61 | 36 | 35 | 82 | 295 | 43 | 322 | 100 | 255 | 152 | 146 | 100 | 100 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | S 13 | E 7 | S 13 | E 8 | E 8 | NNE 6 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | NNE 7 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 15 | SSE 13 |
24 | 162 | 48 | 117 | 47 | 33 | 26 | 249 | 200 | 278 | 38 | 201 | 49 | 261 | 75 | 103 | 90 | 76 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SW 17 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | E 8 | E 7 | S 11 | ENE 7 | E 7 | S 13 | S 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SSE 13 | SSW 15 |
37 | 75 | 27 | 26 | 69 | 71 | 129 | 40 | 26 | 37 | 29 | 24 | 54 | 82 | 34 | 81 | 47 | 35 | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | — | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — | NE 7 | ENE 7 | — | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
97 | 131 | 36 | 42 | — | — | 44 | 20 | — | — | — | 100 | 93 | — | 121 | 300 | 293 | 406 | 177 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 68 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 14 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Molokai | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











