Little Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a good, hard look at what's on offer for our local waters. I've got to be straight with you—it's a pretty bleak outlook for the next couple of weeks. The consistent, small, and clean swell we're hoping for just isn't in the picture for most of this forecast. We're looking at a long stretch of tiny, poor-condition surf, with only a glimmer of something slightly better right at the very end of this 16-day window.

The main issue is that persistent ENE breeze that kicks in from Friday, August 22nd and just doesn't quit. It's cross-offshore, which at least keeps the surface clean, but the swell energy is just pathetic. We're looking at tiny 1ft swells for days on end, with the combined energy barely registering. For instance, the energy on Saturday the 22nd is a weak 122, and it just drops from there, down into the 30s by mid-week. The water temp sits at a very average 80°, so nothing unusual there.

The first real hope doesn't show up until the end of the period. From Thursday, September 4th, we finally get a pulse. That afternoon, the swell climbs to 2ft from the WNW with a period of 18 seconds. The combined energy jumps right up to 214, which is a solid moderate energy. The wind goes light and crosses offshore from the NNE, so the surface should be clean.

Even better, Friday, September 5th, looks like a standout. The swell holds at 2ft from the WNW, but with a 16-second period, groundswell style. The energy reading is strong at 278. There's a morning session with a little cross-chop, but the afternoon might be the call with those light 6 mph winds from the NNE.

Little Makaha is the only game in town here. It's a consistent reef break that's fairly exposed to the NW, so it's our best bet for picking up that late-period WNW swell. For that Friday morning, the wind is cross-shore, but with 2ft of long-period WNW groundswell, the wave shape should be decent. Just keep in mind, this is a beginner-friendly reef break, and while the size is manageable, a long-period swell like this (16+ seconds) can sometimes stand up and break a bit too straight on a beach. For a reef like this, it should be fine, offering better shape and more push. The crowds can be an issue here, so expect company if you're chasing this window.

So, to wrap it up, save your energy for the last few days of the forecast. Thursday, September 4th afternoon and especially Friday, September 5th are the only real shots we get. The rest is a write-off.

Stay tuned, Rusty.

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