
Surf Forecasts:
Tunnels surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 541 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tunnels this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tunnels in the next 16 days are 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
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 the table for Tunnels. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, but there's a genuine gem waiting for us if we’re patient.
Right now, though, it's a grind. The water temp is sitting at a very average 80°, so nothing unusual there for this time of year. But the surf? It's small and pretty weak through the first week and a half. You're looking at tiny 1ft to 2ft swells from the SW and SSW, with the combined energy struggling to get out of the double digits most days, sitting around (340) or dropping down to (84). The wind is a constant cross-off from the ENE or NE, meaning the waves look clean but there's just no power behind them. It’s poor surf, pure and simple, and honestly, for a break this exposed, that lack of energy is frustrating.
There’s a very long gap here with nothing worth getting wet for. The energy does build a bit around the middle of the month, the 15th and 16th seeing combined energy numbers of (434) and (577), but the quality is still rated as poor or marginal. The swell is just too weak and the wind is still that cross-off at a solid 15-19 mph. Not the combo we want.
The first real standout arrives on Tuesday the 22nd. For the first time in the whole run, we see a proper offshore wind, with the E breeze dropping to that light 9 mph range in the morning. The waves are still modest at 2ft from the SSW, but with the smoother wind, the conditions are described as "gentle offshore and clean." The combined energy jumps to (204) - not huge, but a solid boost. This is a morning session for the surfer who wants clean lines, even if the swell isn't pumping. Still, it's ordinary in the afternoon as the wind shifts.
But the real golden window, the one you want to mark in your calendar, is Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th of September. That’s our true standout. Thursday morning brings that magical phrase: glassy. The wind from the SSE is just 3 mph, the combined energy is a strong (650), and the swell is a clean 3ft from the SSW. The forecast says "expect very good surf conditions," and with a period of 18 seconds, that's proper groundswell energy. This long-period swell could make the beach break a bit straight, but at Tunnels, it should wrap in nicely. Friday morning is almost a carbon copy, with that sweet offshore SE breeze at 6 mph, a solid 3ft swell, and combined energy of (615). The afternoon stays good too. This is the time to be there. The water is clean, the wind light, and there’s real power in the water.
So, the short story: a whole lot of nothing for most of the next two weeks, then a couple of promising but not perfect days around the 22nd, followed by a very promising, clean couple of days right at the end of the month. If you can hold out, the 24th and 25th are the ones to chase.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
209 | 268 | 261 | 229 | 226 | 245 | 124 | 99 | 107 | 84 | 100 | 76 | 227 | 224 | 392 | 384 | 470 | 455 | 541 | 429 | |
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 | 2:56PM0.69m | 3:21AM0.54m | 3:22PM0.63m | 4:00AM0.59m | 3:44PM0.56m | 4:40AM0.62m | 4:03PM0.49m | 5:22AM0.63m | 4:15PM0.43m | 6:08AM0.62m | 4:11PM0.38m | 7:05AM0.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:25PM0.12m | 9:09AM0.15m | 9:44PM0.11m | 9:56AM0.20m | 10:03PM0.10m | 10:44AM0.25m | 10:22PM0.10m | 11:37AM0.30m | 10:41PM0.10m | 12:46PM0.35m | 11:01PM0.12m | 11:24PM0.14m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 16 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 |
131 | 268 | 230 | 164 | 106 | 72 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 132 | 129 | 115 | 132 | 96 | 82 | 91 | 470 | 455 | 541 | 429 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NE 7 | SW 16 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | N 7 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
209 | 77 | 261 | 229 | 56 | 245 | 67 | 99 | 107 | 84 | 100 | 76 | 227 | 224 | 392 | 384 | 28 | 35 | 31 | 19 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 12 | E 11 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SW 15 | ENE 10 | SW 16 | ENE 9 | SSW 12 | ENE 8 | SSW 24 | SSW 24 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 10 | S 8 | SSE 11 |
46 | 64 | 36 | 50 | 226 | 100 | 124 | 27 | 57 | 14 | 54 | 54 | 49 | 68 | 42 | 38 | 38 | 18 | 5 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 5 | NE 7 | — | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | E 4 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
168 | 109 | 151 | 35 | 91 | — | 12 | 11 | 7 | 21 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 86 | 200 | 222 | 294 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 60 | 66 | 57 | 57 | 14 | 57 | 38 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 14 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Molokai | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










