Ma'alaea Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.79° N 156.52° W

Ma'alaea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Ma'alaea sea temperature is
26.8° C
0.2° 

Ma'alaea surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Ma'alaea surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 227 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ma'alaea this week:

The surf forecast for Ma'alaea over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ma'alaea in the next 16 days are 0.6m 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 2.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Tue 18th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 17s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 21st Aug)2ft (0.6m) 17s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 21st Aug)2ft (0.6m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ma'alaea over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a deep dive into what Maui's waves are doing for the next couple of weeks. Let’s get straight to it.

The pattern shaping up is a quiet one for a while, with small, clean conditions holding for days. The standout window is further out, so keep your eyes peeled for the end of the month.

To start, Ma'alaea (Maui) is the only spot on the radar, and it begins on Tuesday, August 18th, with a long-period S swell pushing in at 2 ft, period 13 seconds. Combined swell energy is moderate (221). The water is a warm 80°, which is about average for this time of year. A light N wind keeps it cross-offshore and clean, but honestly, the conditions are very ordinary. There’s just not enough juice in the water to get excited about. This quiet theme carries through Wednesday and Thursday with tiny, glassy mornings and some long-period groundswell, but the wave heights hover around 1 ft to 2 ft. It’s surfable if you’re desperate for a saltwater fix, but you won't be calling your mates.

Nothing changes until we hit a notable jump around the 22nd. Now, Saturday morning the 22nd brings a glassy start and a bit more energy in the water (combined energy of 366) with a 2 ft S swell. The wind goes glassy, which is always a treat for this break, but the waves are still underwhelming for the effort. The real action doesn't start to build until Monday, August 25th. That morning we see a spike in short-period E swell hitting 6 ft, but it only has a 6-second period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and messy, and combined energy jumps up significantly (449). The cross-off wind holds it together, making it an option for later in the week over those tiny days.

The absolute standout of the whole outlook is Thursday, August 27th. The swell direction settles into a clean S direction with a 16-second period, offering a groundswell with serious push at 3 ft. Combined swell energy is strong (631). The wind stays cross-off from the NE, giving it that clean, lined-up look that Ma'alaea is known for. It’s still an advanced wave, so don’t be a hero if you’re not ready for fast walls. Expect crowds to be likely because the word will be out.

As we push into the final days, the week starting Sunday, August 30th, becomes the real target. Sunday brings a nice S swell at 4 ft to 5 ft, with moderate combined energy (around 466-528) and clean winds. Monday the 31st is the big one for experts, with a S swell hitting 6 ft and combined energy soaring to 1012. That is strong-to-very-strong wave energy, and the period sits at a moderate 12 seconds. However, the wind picks up to a moderate breeze from the NNE at 12 mph, making it cross-off but a bit wind-affected. This is for the experienced crew only – anything over 5 ft here is for experts only, and at 6 ft it’s a serious challenge. After that, September starts with the swell dropping back, and conditions become marginal with stronger winds and some rain around.

So, overall: the first week is pretty quiet. The true standout is the combination of clean winds and solid S groundswell hitting on Thursday, August 27th, and then another solid but windier pulse for the experts on Monday, August 31st. Plan your time off accordingly.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
13
0.6
S
13
0.5
S
13
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SSW
16
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.4
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
S
12
0.5
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
119
119
82
66
94
103
152
148
179
193
173
203
171
166
113
109
89
120
75
102
121
Wind (km/h)
5
N
10
NE
10
NNE
5
N
15
NNE
10
NNE
10
NNW
0
NE
5
NNE
10
SSW
5
WSW
5
NNE
5
WNW
10
N
10
NNE
5
NE
15
NE
15
NNE
10
N
5
SW
10
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
8:49AM0.59m
7:47PM0.37m
9:55AM0.62m
8:54PM0.32m
10:59AM0.65m
10:27PM0.29m
11:57AM0.68m
11:47PM0.30m
12:49PM0.72m
00:48AM0.31m
1:33PM0.75m
1:37AM0.34m
2:13PM0.77m
2:20AM0.37m
Low Tide
2:48PM0.28m
1:59AM0.08m
4:45PM0.29m
2:49AM0.09m
6:46PM0.26m
3:49AM0.10m
7:40PM0.22m
4:52AM0.09m
8:14PM0.19m
5:52AM0.08m
8:41PM0.16m
6:44AM0.07m
9:06PM0.14m
part cloud
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clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
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part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:07
6:07
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:51
6:50
6:49
6:47
 mm
Temp °C
27
28
25
27
27
25
27
28
26
28
28
27
28
29
27
29
29
26
27
28
26
Feels °C
29
31
26
30
30
26
30
32
29
31
32
31
31
33
29
32
30
26
29
32
28
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Ma'alaea Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Ma'alaea provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ma'alaea can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ma'alaea 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 (Ma'alaea) 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 Ma'alaea 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.

Are you planning a vacation in Maui? If you are looking for accommodation near Ma'alaea, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Maui, consider staying in Kihei which is 5 km (3 miles) away. Other places in and around Maui where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wailuku which is 10 km (6 miles) away, Kahului, Lanai - Lanai and Kaunakakai - Molokai.

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