Ma'alaea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Alright, let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next stretch. We’re focusing on Ma'alaea, and it’s not a straight-up blast of energy. The water’s sitting around average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary there. The first few days are pretty flat, so don’t get your hopes up for a quick fix.

We kick off on Wednesday, the 5th of August, with a tiny 1ft SSW swell. The wind is glassy in the morning, which is a dead-set positive, but the wave height is barely a ripple. The combined energy is weak (116), so it’s a case of “surfable but very ordinary.” Thursday morning, the 6th, sees a pulse of 4ft from the east, but the period is a super short 5 seconds—that’s wind chop, not groundswell. The glassy conditions make it clean, but the quality is lacking. The real standout starts to show on Saturday morning, the 8th of August. We get a 4ft east swell with a solid 6-second period, and it’s glassy. The combined energy jumps to moderate (298), and the forecast is finally calling for “good surf conditions.” This is the pick of the first week. It’s a beginner-friendly size, but the short period means it won’t be a barrel.

The action builds from there. Sunday, the 9th, is a step back with a 1ft swell and offshore wind, but the energy is low. The real juice comes mid-week. Wednesday, the 12th of August, sees a 3ft S swell with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s serious groundswell energy, and the combined energy is strong (663). The morning is glassy. This is your second standout: a long-period groundswell that will wrap into the reef nicely. Remember, long period swells can be a bit tricky at beach breaks, but at a reef like Ma'alaea, it’s a dream—clean lines and longer gaps between sets. The following days, Thursday and Friday the 13th and 14th, keep the good vibes going with 3ft to 3ft S swell and long periods, staying clean with light cross-off winds.

By the second week, things taper off. From Sunday, the 16th of August, the swell drops to 2ft, and by Monday the 17th, it’s all but gone. The last few days, the 18th through the 20th, are a write-off with poor surf conditions and weak energy. The only faint glimmer is Wednesday, the 19th, with a 2ft SW swell and a long period of 21 seconds, but the wind is howling at 12 mph, making it messy.

So, the best on offer is Saturday morning, the 8th of August, for the clean, glassy 4ft east swell, and Wednesday, the 12th of August, for the long-period, glassy S groundswell. That Wednesday is the true standout—not huge, but pure quality. The rest is a mixed bag, with a long gap of poor conditions after the 16th. This is Ma'alaea, so it’s inconsistent; a blank run is normal for this spot.

Rusty.

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