Little Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu.

To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak swell and persistent cross-off winds that just aren’t setting things up right. For the majority of this 16-day span, you’re looking at a whole lot of nothing – poor surf conditions day after day, with wave heights barely ticking over and the combined energy of all swells directed here staying very weak (under 100, often just 15-60). There’s a real gap of flat, non-recommended days from the start right through to the end of August.

The only glimmer in the whole period arrives right at the beginning of September. On Tuesday, the 1st of September, Little Makaha (Oahu) gets a punch of energy. We’re looking at a 6 ft swell from the NE with a period of 11 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell with some grunt. The combined energy of all swells directed here jumps up to a solid 743 (moderate energy). Honestly, that’s the only day that even raises an eyebrow. The water temp is sitting at 80°F, which is about average for the time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.

Now, a word of caution: a 6 ft NE groundswell like this is going to be pushing close to the limit for beginners. It’s more of an intermediate-to-expert wave. The wind is a cross-off from the ENE at 12 mph, which will keep the faces reasonably clean, but it will be a bit of a battle getting out through the sets. The morning of the 1st looks the best of it – the wind is lighter then.

After that little spike, it drops back down again quickly. The rest of the first week of September is mostly tiny, poor conditions with more cross-off breezes and choppy onshore flow mid-week. The second week is a desert of weak, small swell. Don’t get your hopes up for that far-out window – it’s a long shot.

All in all, if you’re desperate for a wave, circle Tuesday the 1st of September on your calendar. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only real option we’ve got in this 16-day stretch.

Rusty.

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