Surf Forecasts:
Waimanalo surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, E swell with 1,080 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waimanalo this week:
The surf forecast for Waimanalo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waimanalo in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waimanalo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way on this stretch of coast for the next sixteen days. I’ll be honest with you, it’s not a pretty picture.
The only spot in the game is Waimanalo. It’s a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent beach break that’s open to the swell. Water temp is 81°, which is about average for the time of year. That’s the only good news.
The first few days are a total loss. Sunday the 16th starts with a big, raw 13ft east swell running on a short 9-second period, but a strong 25 mph cross-shore wind is wrecking it. The wave energy is massive, but with that wind it’s just a churning mess. Sunday afternoon has 8ft with the same cross-wind. Not a single drop to surf.
From Monday the 17th right through Thursday the 21st, it’s a dead zone. Swell drops into the 2ft to 5ft range, periods are short, and the wind is onshore or cross-onshore constantly. That’s about four or five days of blown-out knee slop. No surf at all.
We get a little glimmer on Friday the 21st with a clean 3ft from the NE and a light breeze, but it’s weak. Not a standout, just a break in the clouds.
Heading into the second week, the swell builds back up, but so does the wind. From Sunday the 23rd, we see chest-high 5ft, building to a solid 12ft by Friday the 28th. There is real power in the water, but it’s all onshore, blown out, and messy. For a beginner spot like Waimanalo, a 5ft onshore day is already big, and when it hits 10ft-12ft, that is expert-only, and with the wind on it, it’s just dangerous. Honestly, with that combo of big swell and strong wind, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The last couple of days, the 30th and 31st, drop back to smaller 3ft-4ft, but they’re still plagued by a fresh onshore breeze. No clean windows.
So, to wrap it up: there is not a single standout session in this entire 16-day window. The best you can hope for is a quick look at the 3ft NE swell on Friday the 21st, or the 4ft on Saturday the 22nd, both with light winds, but they are not worth a special trip. Everything else is a write-off. Keep the wax in the wrapper, check the cam, and wait for a better pattern to roll in.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Sun morning, light winds from the E by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2411 | 1080 | 484 | 310 | 261 | 195 | 152 | 161 | 186 | 109 | 84 | 168 | 57 | 54 | 69 | 75 | 59 | 31 | 111 | 141 | 175 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:40PM0.52m | 6:27AM0.44m | 4:40PM0.47m | 8:02AM0.45m | 4:17PM0.43m | 10:23AM0.47m | 11:48AM0.51m | 12:32PM0.55m | 1:04PM0.58m | 10:27PM0.27m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:41AM0.19m | 11:25PM0.08m | 11:25AM0.27m | 11:52PM0.07m | 12:27PM0.33m | 00:26AM0.08m | 1:15AM0.09m | 2:41AM0.09m | 4:16AM0.08m | 9:18PM0.23m | |||||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — |
mm | 28 | 8 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | ENE 8 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | 416 | 119 | 484 | 103 | 65 | 55 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 109 | 84 | 82 | 57 | 54 | 69 | 75 | 59 | 31 | 26 | 38 | 49 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 6 | E 9 | SW 17 | SSE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | S 12 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | SSE 15 | SSE 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 48 | 46 | 38 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 42 | 11 | 46 | 42 | 42 | 29 | 21 | 13 | 30 | 42 | 30 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | S 13 | S 13 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 12 | SSE 9 | S 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 7 | 30 | 56 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 50 | 26 | 25 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | NE 6 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 2411 | 1080 | — | 310 | 261 | 195 | 152 | 161 | 186 | — | 39 | 168 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | 111 | 141 | 175 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 225 | 48 | 9 | 44 | 44 | 17 | 44 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Waimanalo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Waimanalo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Waimanalo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waimanalo surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Waimanalo) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Waimanalo may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Waimanalo is 7 km (4 miles) from Kailua. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kailua. Kailua has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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