Kohala Lighthouse - surf spot statistics

Kohala Lighthouse is a surf spot that benefits most from consistent ground swells and favorable wind conditions, which are crucial for quality surf. The best months for surfing here are typically from November to February, when ground swell makes up around 44–60% of the swell mix, providing cleaner and more powerful waves. December stands out as the peak month, with the highest mean swell size of 2.0m and a balanced split between ground and wind swells (50/49%). January follows closely, with strong ground swell dominance (60%) and decent wind conditions (32% good). February also remains solid, though wind conditions deteriorate slightly. From March onward, wind swells become more prevalent, reducing wave quality, and unfavorable onshore winds dominate, peaking in summer (June–August) when good wind conditions drop below 20%. Autumn (October–November) offers a slight rebound in ground swell influence but still struggles with inconsistent winds. If you're looking for the most reliable surf, prioritize the winter months when ground swells are prominent and wind interference is relatively lower. Summer and early autumn are less ideal due to choppy wind swells and poor wind alignment.

In August, Kohala Lighthouse offers surfable conditions with an average swell height of 1.5m and a decent period of 8.6s, providing consistent but manageable waves. The dominant swell direction is from the ENE to E, contributing the majority of rideable waves (1-2.5m). About 23% of ENE swells and 15% of E swells fall in the ideal 1-1.5m range, while larger sets (1.5-2.5m) are frequent enough for more experienced surfers. However, wind conditions are less favorable—only 16% of the time are winds ideal for surfing, as E and ENE winds prevail at 10-30kph, often creating choppy or cross-shore conditions. Smaller swells (below 1m) are rare, and bigger swells (over 2.5m) are almost nonexistent. Overall, August delivers workable waves for intermediate to advanced surfers, but patience is needed for cleaner sessions due to inconsistent winds.