Wailua/Horners Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Wailua/Horners is a tricky spot. It’s a reef break that’s exposed to the north, and for this whole 16-day stretch, the wind’s going to be hammering it from the east and northeast. That’s onshore for this break. The water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year.

Honestly, it’s a rough run. The surf is there, but the wind and conditions are just not lining up. For the first week, from Friday 28 August right through to Thursday 3 September, it’s all “poor surf conditions.” Swell hangs around 4 ft to 7 ft, mostly from the E or ENE, with short, weak periods of 6 to 8 seconds. The wave energy is moderate, ticking between 244 and 622 (combined energy). But with a constant onshore breeze of 12 to 16 mph, it’s going to be choppy and messy. There are rain showers mixed in there too. Not one of these days is worth paddling out for.

The second week brings a bit more size, but the quality doesn't improve. On Friday 4 September, the swell jumps to 7 ft from the E with a 12-second period, and the energy ramps right up over 1200 (combined energy). That’s a solid groundswell, but the wind is still onshore at 12-16 mph. Still “poor surf conditions.” The same goes for the weekend and into the next week. By Tuesday 8 September, the swell is hitting 10 ft from the ENE with moderate energy around 1400 (combined energy), but that’s big, onshore, and unruly. For experts only, if you’re desperate for a beating, but it’s not clean.

There’s a real rough patch from Wednesday 9 September onward. The wind picks up to 19-22 mph, with cross-on conditions and even a risk of thunderstorms. The swell stays in the 6 ft to 7 ft range, but the wind is just ruining any chance of a good wave face.

The last glimmer is on Saturday 12 September. The morning shows 3 ft from the NE, 8-second period, still onshore wind but lighter at 12 mph. Then in the afternoon, it drops to 2 ft, but the period stretches to 12 seconds from the E. That long-period groundswell is for the reef, but with it being so small and the wind still onshore, it’s not going to offer much. Still “poor surf conditions.”

So where’s the stand-out? There isn’t one. Not a single day in this 16-day window gives us good wind, decent swell quality, and clean conditions at Wailua/Horners. This break is inconsistent and often crowded, but this forecast is a write-off. If the wind ever swings offshore (WSW is what this reef likes), then we’d be talking. But right now, it’s a no-go.

Rusty

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