Ma'alaea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Ma'alaea. This is one of those spots that needs a very specific combination to fire, and over the next two weeks, we’re stuck in a bit of a waiting game for any real magic.

The water temperature is sitting right around average for the time of year, so no surprises there. The first proper surf we see is on the afternoon of Saturday the 22nd, with a tiny 2 ft SSW swell pushing in from a very long 16 second period. The energy is weak (212), and the wind is a light cross-off, so it’s surfable but very ordinary. Honestly, for this break, that’s just a tease.

The whole first week is a real grind. Tiny, weak swells (1 ft to 2 ft) with moderate energy readings (mostly between 122 and 250) dominate. The wind often stays a light cross-off, which keeps the surface clean, but the lack of size and power means the wave just isn’t there. There’s a brief moment on Monday morning, the 24th, with glassy conditions, but it’s still a 2 ft swell. It’s not going to do much.

The first real standout comes on the morning of Thursday, the 27th of August. The swell jumps to 4 ft from the S, with a period of 17 seconds, and the energy hits a strong 716. The wind is a light cross-off from the NNE. That’s the best looking window in the first week – a proper S groundswell with good energy. The crowd situation at Ma'alaea can be “sometimes” busy, so be prepared for a few others with the same idea.

We then get a few more days of shoulder-high, clean surf towards the end of August and into September. The mornings of Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th see 2 ft to 3 ft S swell with good energy (334 to 390) and clean conditions. It’s not the big stuff, but it’s fun.

The next big moment looks like the afternoon of Wednesday, the 2nd of September. The swell is 3 ft from the S, period 16 seconds, and the energy is very strong at 526. The wind turns glassy from the NE. That’s a lovely setup for a clean, lined-up wave. The morning of Thursday the 3rd is also a good call, with 3 ft S swell and 368 energy with a light offshore.

The long-range forecast (the second week) has a few promising ticks. The morning of Tuesday, the 1st of September, sees a 2 ft SSW swell with a very long 19 second period and energy of 356, but the wind is a moderate cross-off. It’s promising but less certain.

The overall best of the bunch? I’d put my money on the morning of Thursday, the 27th of August. That 4 ft S groundswell with strong energy and a clean cross-off wind is the best wave on offer. The glassy afternoon of Wednesday, the 2nd of September is a very close second. Keep an eye on it.

If you’re a beginner, keep in mind that anything over 5 ft is getting too much for you. At Ma'alaea, when it’s on, it’s a fast, hollow reef wave. Today’s tiny stuff is fine for learning, but the bigger days in the second week are for the experienced crew.

Rusty.

Read more