Waimanalo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next stretch.

Honestly, mate, it’s a tough one. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a bust for surfers. The trade winds are just howlin’ from the ENE, shredding any chance of clean waves. The swell is there, but it’s all short-period, onshore slop. No real standout days, no magic window. It’s a long gap between now and anything worth paddling out for.

Let’s start with the only spot on the cards: Waimanalo (Oahu). It’s an exposed beach break, beginner-friendly, but the conditions are just plain ugly. The water’s at 80°, which is about average for the time of year, so nothing weird there.

The pattern starts on Friday, August 7th, with a weak 4 ft swell from the ENE, but the wind is a solid 19 mph onshore. The combined energy is only 80 (weak), and the report says “poor surf conditions.” That theme sticks. Saturday the 8th sees a bit more size, 4 ft to 5 ft, but still the same fresh onshore breeze and a short period of 6 seconds. It’s choppy and messy.

Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th bring 5 ft from the ENE, period edging up to 7 and 8 seconds, and the energy climbs into the mid-200s (moderate). But the wind is still howling 19 mph onshore or cross-onshore. The wave comment calls it “poor surf conditions” and “fresh cross-onshore and lumpy.” Not worth a look.

Tuesday the 11th through Thursday the 13th, the swell stays around 5 ft to 6 ft, but the wind is relentless, 16 to 25 mph ENE. The period is short, 6 to 7 seconds. It’s just a wind-blown mess.

Now, from Friday the 14th into the weekend, the swell gets bigger. Friday the 14th sees 7 ft to 7 ft, energy hitting 486 and 540 (moderate to strong). But the wind is a strong 25 mph. By Saturday the 15th, it’s 8 ft with a cross-on 28 mph wind, energy up to 986 (strong). This is getting too big for beginners, and with that wind, it’s just a washing machine. Sunday the 16th pumps up to 10 ft, energy hitting 1450 (very strong), but it’s the same story: strong cross-onshore wind. The setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Monday the 17th peaks at 12 ft, energy 1879 (very strong), but it’s still cross-onshore and lumpy. This is expert-only territory, and even then, the wind will ruin it.

After that, the swell drops quickly. Tuesday the 18th has 7 ft, but the wind is still onshore. Wednesday the 19th through Saturday the 22nd, the swell fades to 4 ft down to 4 ft, with periods as short as 5 seconds. The energy drops to 140-150 (weak). The wind stays onshore or cross-onshore, with a risk of thunderstorms on the 19th. Just a quiet, flat-ish end to the period.

So, bottom line: there’s no standout, no clean window. The whole 16 days is a write-off for a decent surf. The wind is the killer, and the swell direction is all wrong for Waimanalo’s optimum NE. It’s a long, frustrating stretch. Keep the board in the car, but don’t bother waxing up.

Rusty.

Read more