Waves Decline, But Huge System May Reach Maui Friday

By Riley Yap

Shots of Kahului Harbor from November 2013. File photos by Riley Yap.

As another action-packed weekend of heavy surf slowly fades across all facing shores, we drift into a new week. Fortunately, another high-surf advisory system is anticipated for the end of the week, spoiling Maui surfers again.

Although wave activity is on the decline, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for empty waves along the north shore if you know where to look. The remaining northwest swell should remain solid enough to offer fun-size surf for all, and the northwest direction provides perfect conditions for Ho’okipa to continue being the number one hot spot for all ocean athletes.

Looking further into this week’s forecast, long-range buoy models depict a huge system developing out of the west-northwest today that could lead to a resulting swell that’s expected to reach our shores by late Thursday night into Friday. Wave heights are anticipated to reach 8- to 10-foot faces. As the weekend approaches be on the lookout for more details to come as this system develops.

Shots of Kahului Harbor from November 2013. File photos by Riley Yap.

The surf report for today, Monday, Dec. 15, is as follows: North facing shores will continue to benefit from the fading north-northwest swell which will be strongest in the morning with head high to overhead waves of 3- to 6-foot faces. Better exposed breaks should offer you larger sets as you get further away from Kahului and into Paia.

Lower and upper west facing shores will show minor flat to 2-foot faces, considering the north-northwest swell will wrap into the better northerly exposures along West Maui. East facing shores will reach heights of 1- to 3-foot faces and should experience wind swells with select breaks being able to receive larger sets wrapping from the northwest.

Lastly, flat to 2-foot faces reluctantly roll in to south facing shores and will not see very much action until the anticipated swell arriving early Friday morning.

Stay safe and stay tuned to Maui Now for your reliable local surf updates, hot spots, and swell outlooks.