Ma'alaea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gonna be honest with you, this 16-day window for Ma'alaea is a bit of a mixed bag. We're looking at a long stretch of tiny, underwhelming surf, but there is a sweet spot of proper energy that builds into the second week. The real standout is a run of days from the 10th through the 13th where things get interesting.

Right now, we're in a flat spell. The water is a pleasant 80°, which is pretty much average for this time of year. The first few days have knee-high dribble at best – 1ft of long-period SW groundswell, but it's so weak the energy is barely registering. You'll see some glassy mornings on the 6th and 7th, which is a treat, but the wave size just isn't there to get excited about.

Then, on the 8th, things get weird. We see a jump to 5ft, but it's a short-period 6-second easterly windswell. The combined energy is moderate (305), but with that period, it's going to be a jumbled mess. There's a better window on the 10th and 11th. The swell is still small, 2ft to 2ft, but it's pure SSW groundswell with a 14 to 15-second period. The energy jumps up into the 200s and 300s, and with glassy conditions both mornings, the wave quality will be there. It’s clean, lined up, and offers a proper longboard or funboard wave.

Now, here's the real standout. The 12th and 13th of August is where you want to be in the water. The swell builds to 3ft on the 12th, then 3ft on the 13th, all from the S. The period is 16 to 18 seconds – that's some serious groundswell – and the energy is pumping, with readings of 613 and 611. This is where the reef at Ma'alaea will really start to work. The Wednesday morning (12th) is glassy, and Thursday morning (13th) is also glassy. This is the best on offer. The swell direction is a perfect match for the reef's optimum, and the long period means those waves will have real shape. It's an advanced spot, and with that energy, it'll be for experienced surfers only. Keep in mind, it's inconsistent and crowds are possible.

After that, the 14th and 15th start to taper off and the wind gets messy. The 17th tries to push some size again with 5ft from the east, but that 6-second period is just a choppy, weak windswell. The 19th and 20th look like we're back to square one with tiny, weak surf.

So, for the second week, the focus is tight. The 12th and 13th are your best bet for a proper session. It's a bit of a wait, but it should be worth it.

Rusty out.

Read more