Wailua/Horners Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for getting a proper wave at Wailua/Horners. This isn’t a time for high hopes, but we’ll walk through it day by day so you know when to swap the board for the beach chair.

The long-range picture is a real bummer, to be honest. We’ve got a solid wall of small, short-period, onshore wind swell for most of the period. The energy readings are mostly in the low hundreds, which tells you how weak this is. We’re looking at a lot of close-outs and blown-out conditions. There is one tiny glimmer of something later on, but we'll get to that. For now, prepare for a flat spell.

The pick of a very weak bunch is Tuesday, September 8th. It’s not good, but it’s the best we’re going to see for a while. The morning has a 6ft east swell with a 12-second period, which gives it a bit of push. The combined energy is up at 1447, which is decent. The wind is a cross-off at 19 mph, and it’s keeping the surf clean. This is a reef break, so a longer period like that can work in its favor, but it’s an inconsistent spot, so you’ll be waiting around. The afternoon drops off a touch to 6ft, but the energy backs off to 1086, and the quality is only marginal. Still, it’s the only time you’ll have a chance at a clean wave. Since this is the first spot we’re talking about, the water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing weird there.

From Wednesday, September 9th, things fall apart. The swell drops quickly to 4ft and then stays weak. The wind goes onshore or cross-on, and the period drops below 10 seconds, so you're looking at short, crumbly, and choppy surf. The energy readings are mostly under 500, and the wave comments don’t pull any punches: “poor surf conditions” is the phrase of the week.

From Thursday, September 10th, right through to Wednesday, September 16th, it’s a complete write-off. There’s a lot of onshore wind and small, weak swell. The periods are short, often in the 7 to 8-second range, and the energy is low. It’s not worth paddling out. This stretch of poor, blown-out conditions is a long one, so don't hold your breath.

There’s a flicker of something on Thursday, September 17th. We see a 4ft swell from the NW with an 11-second period, and the energy jumps back up into the 500s. It’s still labeled as “marginal,” but at least it’s a different direction. The wind is light, which will help. It’s not a standout, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

After that, it’s back to the same old story. From Friday, September 18th, through to the end of the outlook on Wednesday, September 23rd, we’re back to small, weak, and onshore. The energy is consistently under 360, with the occasional NW pulse getting lost in the noise. It’s just not happening.

Honestly, with this much weak, onshore swell, Wailua/Horners is going to be a mess. The small, choppy conditions with the onshore wind look more like a frustrating paddle than a fun surf. You might get more out of a kiteboard this week than a surfboard.

Bottom line: If you're desperate, Tuesday morning is your only real shot. Everything else for the next two weeks is a whole lot of nothing. Keep your board in the car, but don't be surprised if it stays dusty. Forecasts can change, but this one looks pretty stubborn.

Rusty.

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