Waikiki Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and let’s be straight up – this is a tough run for Waikiki. The next two weeks are looking pretty flat and messy. The ocean’s got a bit of pulse, but it’s all cross-onshore chop and short-period slop, so don’t be in a rush to paddle out at dawn.

Friday, the 11th, is a write-off. We've got a 5 ft swell from the south, but it’s getting hammered by a 9 mph cross-onshore wind straight away in the morning. That 8-second period just churns it up – combined energy (633) is moderate, but the quality is poor. As the day goes on, the wind picks up to 12 mph, and it’s just choppy, bumpy, no-good surf. Keep the board in the car.

Saturday the 12th might be your only real look, and even then it’s marginal. The morning has 5 ft south swell, but you’ve got a clean line with a light offshore (SW, 6 mph). That might clean it up for a short window. The swell period is still a weak 8 seconds, and combined energy is down to 495. It’s not epic, but if you’re desperate for a quick session, dawn patrol is the play. Afternoon goes cross-onshore and choppy again.

Sunday the 13th stays poor, with 4 ft to 5 ft of the same short-period slop and cross-onshore winds.

Then, weirdly, a long-period groundswell arrives Monday the 14th. Swell drops to 3 ft, but the period jumps to 18 seconds, and combined energy spikes to 759. That is a proper long-period pulse for Waikiki. The morning sees a light SSW offshore at 6 mph. The problem? At beach breaks, super long-period swells (over 15 seconds) tend to break straight and close out. But at a reef like Waikiki, this could set up some nice, lined-up waves with long lulls between sets – easier to paddle out. Monday morning is your best bet for clean, organized waves, even if they’re small. Afternoon goes cross-onshore.

Tuesday the 15th through the end of the week is a sad story of 2 ft to 4 ft surf, short to moderate periods, and a constant cross-onshore breeze. Combined energy sits between 214 and 434 – weak. Not worth the paddle.

Looking further out, Saturday the 26th has a tease. A tiny 2 ft swell from the SW with a massive 20-second period (combined energy 314). That’s a very long interval, which means clean, organized lines at the reef, but at 2 ft, it’s knee-high at best. Don’t plan the road trip.

The water temp is sitting at 69°F, which is a massive 7° warmer than normal. That’s very unusual for this time of year – feels more like a warm bath.

The one standout session is Monday morning, September 14th. The light offshore wind and the 18-second groundswell at Waikiki’s reef should line up a few clean, rideable waves. It’s small, but it’s the cleanest wave in the whole two weeks. Other than that, it’s a lot of chop and frustration.

Rusty.

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