
Surf Forecasts:
Tunnels surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 19s period, SSW swell with 687 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tunnels this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tunnels in the next 16 days are 1.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tunnels over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here.
Water temp is sitting about 79°F, right on the average for this time of year.
It’s a tricky forecast. Tunnels is the only game in town, and it’s a real mixed bag. We’ve got a steady stream of long-period groundswell, mainly from the SSW, but the wind is a problem. It’s a cross-off from the ENE, blowing a steady 18-20 mph most days, which is going to mess up the surface. The wave heights are tiny, 1 to 3 feet, but the energy numbers are big – jumping from 390 up to over 1000 (moderate to strong energy). The periods are 16 to 24 seconds in the middle of the run, which is proper long-period stuff. That kind of energy will jack up fast and can look a bit straight at a beach break, but Tunnels can handle it.
From Friday the 17th through Sunday the 26th, it’s a long stretch of marginal to poor surf. The swell is there, but it’s not clean. The ENE wind just won’t let up. The first time we see a glimmer of something better is the afternoon of Friday the 24th. That afternoon, you’ve got 2 feet of SSW swell with a 21-second period and a massive energy reading of 1009 (very strong). It’s still cross-off, but the power is serious. That’s a moment for the strong paddlers.
The real standout, the only one worth planning around, is the morning of Thursday the 30th of July. The wind drops to a light breeze from the NE at 9 mph. We’ve got 2 feet of S swell at 13 seconds, with a combined energy of 317 (moderate). The wind is lighter than any other day, and the swell is from a better angle for Tunnels. It’s the cleanest window in the whole 16 days. Tunnels is fairly consistent, so it’ll be breaking, and it’s exposed, so it’ll pick up that energy. Expect a crowd, but that’s the price for a good one.
After that, it fades out. The last week into August is all small, messy surf with dropping energy. Swell drops to 2 feet and the periods fall back to 13-15 seconds, with the wind coming back up. Not worth chasing.
So, the call is: Thursday the 30th of July morning is your chance. It’s the one session where the wind gives you a break. The rest is a grind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 19 | SSE 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
280 | 215 | 143 | 213 | 75 | 117 | 109 | 156 | 412 | 402 | 339 | 401 | 298 | 273 | 437 | 426 | 480 | 523 | 395 | 616 | |
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 | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:46PM0.70m | 6:31AM0.40m | 6:11PM0.62m | 7:48AM0.44m | 6:30PM0.54m | 9:17AM0.49m | 6:33PM0.46m | 10:45AM0.54m | 11:52AM0.59m | 12:40PM0.64m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 00:52AM0.16m | 11:29AM0.24m | 1:20AM0.15m | 12:30PM0.33m | 1:49AM0.14m | 2:10PM0.41m | 2:21AM0.14m | 3:00AM0.14m | 3:49AM0.13m | 4:46AM0.12m | ||||||||||
— | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | ENE 7 | S 13 | S 13 | ENE 6 | S 13 | SSW 20 | S 13 | SSW 18 |
280 | 215 | 143 | 213 | 75 | 83 | 95 | 156 | 412 | 402 | 339 | 401 | 83 | 273 | 126 | 69 | 199 | 523 | 219 | 616 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | S 19 | SSE 18 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | S 14 | SW 15 | S 11 | S 13 | SSW 22 | S 12 | SSW 20 | S 11 |
142 | 92 | 57 | 57 | 55 | 117 | 109 | 69 | 83 | 81 | 69 | 73 | 298 | 60 | 82 | 264 | 480 | 67 | 395 | 56 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | S 20 | W 12 | W 12 | S 14 | W 11 | W 12 | W 11 | E 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SW 17 | E 12 | E 11 | S 13 |
34 | 35 | 55 | 8 | 68 | 25 | 25 | 32 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 104 | 224 | 437 | 426 | 148 | 71 | 64 | 85 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
88 | 131 | 299 | 363 | 197 | 129 | 176 | 110 | 129 | 163 | 121 | 83 | 123 | 106 | 120 | 35 | 82 | 88 | 116 | 227 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 69 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 57 | 68 | 27 | 57 | 68 | 68 | 69 | 90 | 62 | 68 | 98 | 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.










