
Surf Forecasts:
Empty Lots surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, E swell with 1,505 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with S 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m 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 1.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Empty Lots over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. We’re looking at Empty Lots (reef), and the 16-day window isn’t doing us many favours.
The first week kicks off Monday, July 20th, with a south swell running 2ft – 3ft, with a long 16-second period. There’s a decent amount of energy in the water (moderate at 496), but the wind is blowing 12-18 mph out of the east-northeast, cross-shore, and it’s chopping the surface up. Water temp is 80°, which is about normal for the season. The surf is poor.
The swell builds through the week, but the wind stays stubborn from the east-northeast, getting stronger – up to 22 mph by Thursday the 23rd. The period drops a little, but the energy climbs into the strong range (1075 on Thursday morning). Still, the wave comment stays "poor" or "marginal." No clean conditions.
By Saturday, July 25th, the swell shifts to the SSW, holding 1m – 1.3m (3ft – 4ft) with a long period, and the energy is pumping (1284 Saturday afternoon). But the wind is still cross-shore and fresh. It’s marginal.
The real chance comes Monday, July 27th, as the swell turns east and builds to 5ft – 6ft. The period is 14-15 seconds, so still a solid groundswell, and the energy is huge (1880 on Monday afternoon). But the wind is cross-shore at 18 mph. This is messy, and for a reef, that’s a problem. This kind of setup is more for the kite guys.
The best window is Tuesday, July 28th. The morning has 6ft east swell with a 13-second period and a gentle breeze, light cross-shore. The afternoon is the standout: the wind drops to just 6 mph from the east, still cross-shore but so light the surface is only rippled (1489 energy). The waves will be overhead, and the light wind will make it clean. The direction isn’t the optimum SSE, so it might be a little soft, but it’s the best we’re going to get.
Wednesday, July 29th, the swell drops to 5ft – 6ft, with a light cross-on breeze. It’s not terrible, but the energy is fading (968). After that, Thursday the 30th through the end of the forecast, the swell collapses to 2ft – 3ft, the wind picks back up, and it’s back to poor conditions.
So, the one to circle is the afternoon of Tuesday, July 28th. Everything else is either too small or too blown out. Empty Lots can be a ripper, but this forecast is a test of patience.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | S 16 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | E 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | E 17 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
193 | 407 | 163 | 329 | 311 | 342 | 437 | 426 | 480 | 561 | 395 | 616 | 329 | 428 | 367 | 502 | 692 | 702 | 984 | 959 | 1006 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:31AM0.50m | 7:31PM0.43m | 10:46AM0.54m | 7:33PM0.36m | 11:52AM0.59m | 12:45PM0.63m | 10:43PM0.26m | 1:30PM0.66m | 00:28AM0.25m | 2:09PM0.70m | 1:28AM0.26m | 2:45PM0.72m | 2:12AM0.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:02PM0.36m | 2:48AM0.12m | 6:02PM0.36m | 3:27AM0.12m | 4:16AM0.12m | 9:32PM0.26m | 5:13AM0.11m | 9:33PM0.22m | 6:08AM0.10m | 9:50PM0.20m | 6:58AM0.08m | 10:10PM0.18m | |||||||||
6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 16 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 23 | S 13 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | E 17 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 |
121 | 407 | 163 | 329 | 311 | 342 | 277 | 426 | 206 | 561 | 395 | 616 | 329 | 428 | 298 | 502 | 692 | 702 | 984 | 959 | 1006 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SW 18 | S 15 | E 7 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | E 12 | S 13 | SSW 22 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 20 | SSW 16 | E 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | E 7 |
193 | 80 | 161 | 79 | 103 | 79 | 102 | 125 | 480 | 132 | 125 | 56 | 143 | 102 | 296 | 288 | 240 | 662 | 568 | 452 | 131 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | W 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | E 11 | E 13 | SSW 24 | E 11 | E 12 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | S 13 | SW 16 | S 21 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 16 |
83 | 24 | 132 | 73 | 23 | 84 | 437 | 90 | 139 | 124 | 173 | 85 | 118 | 329 | 100 | 63 | 61 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 416 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 |
99 | 151 | 109 | — | 84 | 158 | 110 | 103 | 139 | 258 | 239 | 254 | 262 | 320 | 367 | 272 | 291 | 273 | 210 | 204 | 279 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 24 | 27 | 13 | 21 | 24 | 14 | 13 | 24 | 13 | 13 | 21 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










