Surf Forecasts:
Tunnels surf forecast from 20 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: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, S swell with 390 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM.
| 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 | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tunnels over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, let’s talk about what’s coming up for Tunnels. It’s a bit of a waiting game here, but there’s a real gem hiding in the second week if you’re patient.
Right now, the immediate outlook is pretty flat and choppy. We’ve got a weak, long-period southwest groundswell on the 19th, but it’s tiny at 1 ft and the wind is up. The water is 80° - that’s bang on average for the time of year, feels like normal tropical bathwater. Honestly, the first week is a write-off; the swell is too small and the wind is too strong for anything fun. You’ll see a few days of marginal conditions, like Thursday the 21st afternoon with a cleaner cross-off breeze and a 2 ft, 16-second swell, but it’s just not enough to get excited about. There’s a big gap of poor surf here until we get into the end of August.
Now, hold on to your board. The standout window is the morning of Thursday, 27th August. That’s the one. We’re looking at a 4 ft south swell with a solid 17-second period. The combined energy jumps to 1022, which is moderate to strong, and the wind is a light east-northeast cross-off, keeping things clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, and that long period will really make the reefs and points at Tunnels (Kauai) stand up. The south swell direction is a good match for the spot’s optimum southwest exposure. With a strong breeze and clean conditions, this is a real opportunity. The Thursday afternoon is smaller from the same swell, but the morning is the call.
After that, the 28th and 29th are a drop-off, with the wind freshening up hard on the 30th. The first few days of September look mostly weak, but keep an eye on the 3rd of September. Thursday morning, the 3rd, has a glassy 4 ft southwest swell with a 12-second period and a light south-southeast breeze. The water is still warm, and while it’s not as strong as the 27th, the glassy conditions make for a clean, fun session. The 3rd afternoon is clean too, with a light north-east breeze. That’s a nice little backup.
So, the big call is Thursday 27th August morning. Everything aligns: decent size, clean wind, and that long-period groundswell. It’s a long-range prospect, so keep an eye on the forecasts, but it looks promising. The rest of the window is mostly for the patient or the kite surfers, because when the wind is up and the swell is small, it’s a kite-fest. Stay keen.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Sun night, light winds from the E by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 19 | 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 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
100 | 129 | 249 | 200 | 278 | 295 | 201 | 322 | 261 | 255 | 152 | 144 | 100 | 100 | 143 | 156 | 129 | 146 | 196 | 165 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:09AM0.58m | 12:10PM0.62m | 12:53PM0.66m | 11:49PM0.25m | 1:28PM0.69m | 00:44AM0.28m | 1:58PM0.72m | 1:24AM0.32m | 2:25PM0.73m | 2:01AM0.36m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 1:26AM0.15m | 2:37AM0.16m | 4:10AM0.16m | 9:14PM0.24m | 5:23AM0.13m | 9:06PM0.23m | 6:15AM0.10m | 9:12PM0.21m | 6:59AM0.09m | 9:23PM0.20m | ||||||||||
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SW 17 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | SSW 15 |
71 | 40 | 54 | 84 | 67 | 295 | 67 | 91 | 104 | 255 | 152 | 144 | 100 | 100 | 143 | 156 | 129 | 117 | 121 | 121 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | E 8 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | NNE 7 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | W 11 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 |
100 | 55 | 249 | 200 | 278 | 40 | 201 | 322 | 261 | 62 | 103 | 90 | 76 | 96 | 50 | 47 | 15 | 146 | 196 | 81 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 16 | E 7 | S 11 | W 10 | ENE 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | S 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 17 | SSE 6 | SSW 12 | S 18 |
92 | 129 | 26 | 37 | 30 | 28 | 83 | 50 | 53 | 76 | 33 | 48 | 22 | 71 | 14 | 19 | 93 | 13 | 81 | 165 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 144 | 237 | 302 | 261 | 234 | 170 | 192 | 153 | 148 | 74 | 93 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 57 | 14 | 14 | 27 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 72 | 69 | 0 | 4 | 62 |
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.











