
Surf Forecasts:
Empty Lots surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 21s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 826 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 21s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Empty Lots this week:
The surf forecast for Empty Lots over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Empty Lots in the next 16 days are 1.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Empty Lots over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – we've got a tough run ahead. Empty Lots is a reef break that's exposed to the south-southeast swell, but over this 16-day window, the conditions just aren't lining up for a quality session. The wind is locked in from the east-northeast almost the whole time, blowing cross or cross-onshore, which is going to keep things lumpy and messy.
We kick off on Monday the 14th with a tiny 2 ft SW swell, but the cross breeze and a weak combined wave energy of only 311 makes it a no-go. Tuesday and Wednesday get a little more push, with the swell building to 3 ft from the south-southwest, and the energy rising into the moderate range (around 534-746), but the wind stays cross, keeping the surface choppy. Water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year at a comfortable 81°.
Honestly, from Thursday the 17th right through to Sunday the 28th, we're in a real slump. The wind picks up, gusts regularly hitting 18-28 mph, and the swell stays small or gets blown out. There's a brief moment on Thursday afternoon the 17th where the swell jumps to 6 ft from the east, but with a short, weak period of 10 seconds and fresh cross-winds, it's just a messy, lumpy mess. The combined energy might hit 1222, but without clean conditions, it's not worth paddling out.
This being a reef break, those cross-shore winds are just as bad as onshore. The whole setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for most of this period. There's a lot of days here with poor surf conditions, and a few with marginal surf forecast.
The one small glimmer, and I mean *small*, comes right at the end. On Monday the 28th afternoon, we see a shift. The wind drops to a glassy 3 mph from the east-northeast, and we get a clean, lined-up 2 ft SW groundswell with a long period of 18 seconds. The combined wave energy is a solid 690, suggesting enough push for the better-formed waves on the reef. The report even says "expect very good surf conditions." This is the only standout in the whole two weeks – if you can, save your energy and wait for this late window. It’s the only time you'll find clean, glassy waves at Empty Lots.
Take it easy,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | ENE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | E 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
227 | 224 | 557 | 480 | 535 | 541 | 541 | 510 | 322 | 551 | 826 | 725 | 675 | 627 | 506 | 512 | 323 | 324 | 375 | 443 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:07PM0.41m | 6:35AM0.62m | 5:22PM0.36m | 7:27AM0.60m | 5:15PM0.31m | 8:35AM0.57m | 10:01AM0.57m | 11:19AM0.58m | 11:43PM0.23m | 12:15PM0.61m | 00:42AM0.27m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:18PM0.09m | 1:19PM0.28m | 11:41PM0.11m | 3:06PM0.30m | 00:08AM0.13m | 00:43AM0.16m | 1:55AM0.18m | 8:04PM0.21m | 8:03PM0.18m | |||||||||||
— | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
227 | 224 | 557 | 480 | 535 | 541 | 541 | 510 | 322 | 447 | 826 | 725 | 675 | 627 | 506 | 512 | 173 | 324 | 375 | 443 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | E 11 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSW 18 | SSE 6 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
74 | 68 | 9 | 10 | 38 | 34 | 73 | 96 | 216 | 214 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 35 | 107 | 16 | 260 | 144 | 142 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | ENE 4 | SW 13 | E 12 | SW 12 | NNE 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSE 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | SSE 9 | S 20 | SSE 6 | S 18 | SW 15 | SSE 8 | W 13 | W 12 |
18 | 7 | 41 | 44 | 37 | 6 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 67 | 15 | 162 | 110 | 7 | 13 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | ENE 5 | — | NE 8 | ENE 5 | E 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 |
10 | 9 | — | 71 | 28 | 171 | 59 | 97 | 285 | 551 | 412 | 377 | 326 | 326 | 295 | 302 | 323 | 287 | 314 | 253 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 144 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 21 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 21 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Empty Lots Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Empty Lots provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Empty Lots can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Empty Lots surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Empty Lots) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Empty Lots may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Empty Lots is 0 km (0 miles) from 'Ewa Beach. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in 'Ewa Beach. 'Ewa Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










