Waikiki Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this outlook for the next 16 days at Waikiki is a real mixed bag, and it’s mostly a waiting game. The first week and a half is pretty grim, with a lot of weak, short-period slop blown out by onshore winds. There’s a spark of hope right at the end, but you’ll need some patience.

For the first ten days, from Tuesday the 14th of July right through to about Thursday the 23rd, it’s honestly a write-off for any decent paddle surf. The swell is small, mostly under 3 feet, and the period is short (7-10 seconds), so the waves are weak and lack any punch. The combined swell energy is low to moderate – mostly in the 40-170 range – and the wind is predominantly cross or cross-onshore, making everything lumpy and choppy. There’s a brief window on the morning of Saturday the 18th with a light offshore, but the swell is still tiny at 2 feet, so it’s only just surfable and very ordinary. You’d be better off with a kite on most of these days, given the persistent wind and small, poor-quality waves.

Then you’ve got a real gap – from the afternoon of the 23rd through to the 26th, there’s really nothing to recommend. The wind swings onshore again, and the swell stays messy.

Now, hold on to your board, because things finally look up on Monday the 27th of July. That’s your standout day. The morning brings a moderate offshore breeze from the WSW, cleaning up a 4-foot east swell with a period of 11 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, giving the waves shape and power. The combined energy jumps to 326, which is moderate to strong, and the offshore wind will keep the faces clean. This is the best surf on offer – a solid, fun-size wave for intermediates and above. The afternoon looks good too, with a similar 4-foot east swell and that offshore wind holding. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

The following morning, Tuesday the 28th, is a bit more marginal with a cross-on breeze, but Wednesday the 29th of July has a real treat: glassy conditions and a 3-foot swell from the ESE with a long 11-second period. The combined energy is 259, and with the wind flat, it’ll be clean and inviting. That’s a close second for the best session.

For the water temp, it’s about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

So, to wrap it up: the first ten days are a bust. Don’t bother. Save your energy for Monday the 27th and Wednesday the 29th. Those are the only windows where Waikiki will show you what it’s got.

Rusty.

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