Surf Forecasts:
Empty Lots surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 414 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s 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 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Empty Lots over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at the forecast for Empty Lots.
Honestly, folks, it’s a bit of a grim picture coming up. The overall pattern for the next couple of weeks is dominated by persistent cross-shore winds that won’t let up, and the surf quality just never gets good. For the first week or more, we are stuck with poor surf conditions, so don’t expect much.
The first sign of anything rideable creeps in on Thursday the 20th, but only as marginal. Swell is small, around 2ft from the SSW, with a long period. The wind stays light and cross-onshore, which isn’t doing us any favours. The wave energy is moderate at best (400-543). It’s a bit of a tease, really.
The standout window – and I use that word loosely – looks to be from the morning of Tuesday the 25th of August onward, with the swell building. By the 27th and 28th, we see swell pushing 8ft to 8ft from the east, with moderate to strong combined energy (1720 is the peak). That’s solid size for Empty Lots, definitely in the expert-only zone. However, the period is short (8 seconds) and the wind remains a moderate cross-shore breeze. Those conditions mean lumpy, choppy surf. It’s big but messy, and with that short period, it’s going to close out fast. Not what you’d call a classic day.
The only real spark of hope comes on the 26th of August in the afternoon, when a 4ft SSW swell with a much better 12-second period arrives, and combined energy is strong (1116). The wind drops to 12 mph. Still cross-shore, so not perfect, but that longer period from the south is your best chance for a wave with a bit of shape. Even then, it’s only a marginal forecast.
There’s a long stretch of poor or marginal conditions.
For the most part, this setup at Empty Lots looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, especially when the wind is up and the swell is onshore.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
412 | 329 | 222 | 219 | 162 | 158 | 129 | 125 | 175 | 316 | 305 | 347 | 364 | 326 | 367 | 326 | 318 | 245 | 203 | 220 | 203 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 6:10PM0.44m | 8:25AM0.55m | 6:13PM0.37m | 9:42AM0.56m | 11:04AM0.57m | 12:12PM0.60m | 11:03PM0.23m | 1:02PM0.64m | 00:38AM0.25m | 1:42PM0.67m | 1:26AM0.28m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 1:18PM0.31m | 00:54AM0.11m | 2:59PM0.34m | 1:23AM0.13m | 2:04AM0.14m | 3:11AM0.15m | 9:15PM0.23m | 9:01PM0.20m | 5:49AM0.13m | 9:11PM0.18m | |||||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | S 13 | E 7 | E 7 | S 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 |
145 | 138 | 222 | 94 | 94 | 158 | 86 | 84 | 82 | 57 | 54 | 347 | 364 | 326 | 367 | 326 | 318 | 245 | 154 | 220 | 186 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | SE 5 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
412 | 329 | 7 | 219 | 162 | 79 | 129 | 71 | 175 | 316 | 305 | 57 | 30 | 38 | 51 | 36 | 47 | 106 | 90 | 55 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SSE 6 | SW 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | WNW 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 7 | SE 8 | S 13 | S 14 | E 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSE 13 |
33 | 12 | 9 | 115 | 123 | 48 | 69 | 125 | 45 | 40 | 40 | 22 | 12 | 18 | 54 | 107 | 22 | 33 | 36 | 18 | 57 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 7 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
— | — | 109 | — | 66 | 94 | 51 | 31 | 54 | — | 53 | — | — | — | 68 | — | 73 | 206 | 203 | 214 | 203 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 29 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











