Tuesday, September 1, 2026
North Kohala Conditions π’
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hapuna Beach | 8.0 π’ | Good AM | E 10-15 mph | 1-2 ft Light Ripple | Low |
| Wai’alea Bay (69) | 8.5 π’ | Good Inside Coves | E 10-15 mph | 0-1 ft Flat Inside | Low Inside |
| Makaiwa Bay | 8.0 π’ | Good AM | E 10-15 mph | 0-1 ft Flat | Low |
| Anaeho’omalu Bay | 7.5 π’ | Good Inside | E 10-15 mph | 1 ft Light Ripple | Light Ripple |
Description: North Kohala remains a good snorkeling area on the island today under moderate easterly trade winds (10-15 mph). Sheltered from arriving south swell energy, protected coves from Hapuna down through Anaeho’omalu Bay offer clear water early in the day before afternoon trade breezes produce light surface chop.
Kona Coast Conditions π‘
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honokohau Rock | 6.5 π‘ | Fair AM / Building Sand Haze | Variable 5 mph AM | 2-4 ft AM / 3-5 ft PM Arriving SSW Swell | Moderate Building Surge |
| White Sands Beach | 5.5 π‘ | Fair AM / Building Shorebreak Turbidity | Variable 5 mph AM | 3-5 ft Building Shorebreak | Moderate-Active Shorebreak Rip |
| Kahalu’u Beach Park | 6.0 π‘ | Fair Inside Basin / Building Outer Haze | Variable 5 mph AM | 1-2 ft Inside / 3-5 ft Outer Reef | Moderate Outer Surge |
Description: Marginal: A new south-southwest swell fills in today across Kona exposures, building from 2-4 ft this morning up to 3-5 ft by afternoon. Glassy morning land breezes keep surface waters smooth, but arriving long-interval set waves will begin stirring up sand turbidity along White Sands and outer reef drop-offs at Kahalu’u ahead of Wednesday’s peak.
South Kona Conditions π‘
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kealakekua Bay | 7.5 π’ | Good Inside Wall | Variable 5 mph AM | 0-1 ft Flat Inside Wall | Low Inside |
| Pu’uhonua O Honaunau | 6.0 π‘ | Fair AM / Building Ledge Wash | Variable 5 mph AM | 2-4 ft AM / 3-5 ft PM Arriving Swell | Moderate Building Ledge Surge |
| Ho’okena Beach Park | 5.5 π‘ | Fair AM / Sand Turbidity | Variable 5 mph AM | 3-5 ft Building South Swell | Moderate-Active Surge |
Description: Protected waters inside Kealakekua Bay along the Captain Cook monument wall remain clear and calm from swell energy. However, exposed rock entry ledges at Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (Two-Step) and Ho’okena will experience building ledge wash and surge as the south-southwest swell fills in through the afternoon, requiring extra care during water entries.
KEY LEGEND
- π’ (7.0-10.0) Good: Safe, clear water, low surge.
- π‘ Marginal: (4.0-6.5) Fair visibility, light surge. Use caution.
- π΄ (0.0-3.5) Dangerous: High surf, strong currents, or turbid conditions. Avoid.
BEST TIME TO GO: Head out early in the morning window (7:30 AM to 10:30 AM) across North Kohala (Wai’alea, Makaiwa, Hapuna) or deep Kealakekua Bay for the calmest water before arriving south swell surge and afternoon sea breezes increase ocean motion.
MARINE ADVISORIES: Moderate easterly trade winds (10-15 knots) persist state-wide today. A new south-southwest swell fills in today (2-4 ft AM, building to 3-5 ft PM) and will peak Wednesday near High Surf Advisory thresholds (6-8 ft surf faces). A new medium-period east swell from Hurricane Karina arrives tonight into Wednesday fectimg east facing shores. Always avoid swimming or snorkeling in brown water near stream or gulch outlets.
Ocean conditions can change rapidly.Β Watch the surf, waves, currents and surge on the shoreline, rocks and reefs. Always spend 5-10 minutes in snorkel meditation watching the conditions. Β Are there other snorkelers in the water? Savor the moment.Β If the water doesnβt look clear, calm and inviting, donβt go in!
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