Waikiki Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s going on in the water.

First off, straight up: the next week and a half is looking pretty grim. There’s no surf worth chasing for days at a stretch. The first chance to even paddle out with a shred of hope is until Monday the 21st of September, but even then, it’s not exactly setting the world on fire.

Let’s get real about Waikiki. The water temp is sitting at 51°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t be freezing your toes off.

The whole stretch from the start of the forecast (Sunday the 13th) through to the 20th is a write-off. Tiny swell, messy wind, and scores that just aren’t there. You get a little pulse of 4ft to 4ft from the NE on Sunday the 20th, but with a fresh onshore wind and short-period junk, it’s not worth the effort. That’s over a week of flat to poor conditions.

Monday the 21st morning is the first real flicker. Swell bumps up to 5ft from the east, with a 8-second period, and the wind swings to a cross-off from the WNW. Combined energy is moderate at 266. The waves are clean, but the period is short, so expect lumpy, sectiony lines. It’s not a standout, just the best of a bad bunch. The afternoon drops off to 4ft, still clean, but weaker.

Tuesday the 22nd morning has a 3ft east swell, but the period stretches to 11 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. Wind is howling offshore from the WSW at 22 mph, so it’ll be clean but a real battle to paddle out. Combined energy is 188, moderate. This one’s for the locals who know the channel.

Wednesday the 23rd morning is a weird one – glassy conditions, 1ft of east swell with a 11-second period, but the energy is weak at 36. It’s a flat, clean pond. Not really surfable, but you could take a longboard out for a meditation session.

After that, it’s back to tiny, choppy junk through to the end of the month. The 28th shows a 2ft to 3ft north swell with a pathetic 4-second period and offshore winds near gale force. That’s not surf – that’s a washing machine with a hairdryer.

The best on offer: If you’re desperate, Monday the 21st morning has the most size and clean conditions at Waikiki. Tuesday the 22nd morning has cleaner, longer-period energy but the wind is a paddle-out nightmare. Neither are true standouts. This is a lean stretch, folks. Forecasts can change, but right now, don’t get your hopes up.

Rusty.

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