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.

July at Kohala Lighthouse offers surfable conditions, though they are somewhat inconsistent due to mixed swell and wind patterns. The average swell height is 1.5m with an 8.4s period, providing rideable waves, but the majority of swells are smaller, with ENE and E directions dominating the larger waves (1-2.5m). The best quality swells come from ENE, where 26.61% of waves fall in the 1-1.5m range and 19.57% in the 1.5-2m range, offering the most reliable surf. NE and E swells also contribute decent wave energy, though consistency drops with size. Wind is often a limiting factor, as only 15% of the time is it ideal for surfing. ENE and E winds are most frequent but tend to be strong (10-30kph), creating choppy or blown-out conditions. Cleaner sessions are rare and depend on lighter winds or offshore flow. Overall, July is surfable but requires patience—look for ENE swells with lighter winds for the best chances of good waves.