Wailua/Horners Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Wailua/Horners.

Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a grind. The wind is stubborn out of the ENE, blowing straight onshore, and the swell is just a messy, short-period wind chop. We’re seeing a lot of days with poor surf conditions and that’s backed up by the energy readings – it’s moderate at best, but not doing us any favours with the onshore breeze. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Monday, July 27th. The surf starts to get a bit of shape, with the swell dropping in at 6 ft from the east, and the period stretches out to a nice 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy – the combined energy jumps to 1552, so there’s some serious push behind it. But the wind is still onshore from the ENE at 12 mph, so it’s going to be a bit messy. That said, the long period means the waves will have more power and better shape, with longer lulls between sets making the paddle out a bit easier. This is better for a reef setup like this, as the long period tends to wrap in nicely.

The best window looks like it’s going to be Thursday, July 30th into Tuesday, August 5th. On Thursday afternoon, the wind drops to a light breeze from the ENE at 6 mph, and the swell is 6 ft from the ENE with a 10-second period. The energy is still moderate (785) but with the lighter wind, the surface will be a lot cleaner. That’s your standout moment. The swell is just over 5 ft, so it’s a bit more for the experienced surfers – beginners might find it a bit much.

The following week, the swell holds in the 6 ft to 7 ft range, but the wind picks up again. The period sticks around 10 to 12 seconds, which is solid. The energy readings stay in the four digits, so there’s plenty of grunt, but you’ll be battling the onshore breeze. This spot is exposed, so the wind is always a factor. The optimum swell direction is from the north, but we’re getting it from the east and ENE, so it’s not breaking in its ideal form. Still, if you’re keen, the last few days of the forecast have the best chance of a clean-ish wave, especially on the mornings with lighter winds.

The crowds are listed as “often” here, so expect company. It’s an inconsistent spot, so when it’s good, everyone knows. But given the wind conditions, it might not be as packed as usual.

Rusty out.

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