Waimanalo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here.

First off, the next week and a half is a grind at Waimanalo. Onshore trades and short-period junk are all we’ve got. The combined wave energy is mostly in the moderate range (222 to 475), so there’s no real push. Water temp is about average for the season.

From Friday, August 28th, through Wednesday, September 9th, it’s a 10-day dry spell. Winds are fresh and onshore or cross-onshore, with swell heights from 5ft to 7ft, but the period is only 6 to 8 seconds. That’s pure windswell – chop city. The report says “poor surf conditions” the whole way, and I’m not arguing.

Things finally change on Thursday, September 10th. The wind drops to a light breeze, and the period bumps to 10 seconds. The morning brings a 5ft swell from the ENE with energy of 641 (moderate), and the afternoon jumps to 8ft from the NE with energy of 1012 (strong). It’s only a 1 out of 10 score, but it’s getting close.

The real standout is Friday, September 11th. Mark it. The morning has a solid 10ft swell from the ENE, 9-second period, and combined energy of 1382 (very strong). Wind is light from the east, cross-onshore but only light, so it’s clean with just small ripples. The score hits 11 out of 10. That’s monster surf – for experts only. At that size, it’ll be powerful and raw, and since Waimanalo is an exposed beach, those long-period waves might section off. The afternoon drops to 8ft and a 2 out of 10, but still worth looking at if you’re solid.

Saturday the 12th drops back to 6ft with 10-second period, but the onshore wind returns.

Bottom line: Ten days of blown-out junk, then one true standout – Friday morning, September 11th. Big, clean, and powerful. Get on it if you’ve got the nerve. Long-range, so keep watching, but it looks like the real deal.

- Rusty

Read more