Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Makaha over the next couple of weeks in feet and miles per hour.

Honestly, it’s a quiet start. The first decent chance doesn’t roll in until the tail end of the period, so there’s a long stretch of flatness to sit through. For a spot like Makaha—a consistent reef break that usually has something—this kind of dead run does happen, but it stings when you’re itching for a wave. The water temp is 68°, which is about 6° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a huge anomaly—feels like summer bathwater.

From the 15th through the 25th of September, it’s mostly tiny, weak, and messy. Swell heights range from around 1ft to 3ft, with periods dropping as low as 12 seconds, and the combined swell energy is weak to moderate—between 119 and 629. The wind is a constant problem: mostly cross-onshore from the south or southwest, keeping the surface choppy and bumpy. That ideal offshore direction from the ENE never shows up. Tuesday the 15th has a bit of 3ft, 15-second SW groundswell with moderate energy (629), but a cross-on breeze at 9 mph kills it. Not worth paddling out. The rest of that week is just flatter with onshore junk.

Then, late in the window, it starts to wake up. Saturday the 26th sees a jump to 4ft from the SW, period around 14 seconds, and energy climbs into the strong range at 750. Wind is light cross-onshore at 6 mph—still bumpy but a whole lot more interesting. Sunday the 27th holds 3ft to 4ft, and Monday the 28th has 4ft from the SSW. But the real standout is shaping up for Wednesday the 30th of September. Swell hits 6ft from the SSW, period a short 9 seconds, but the combined energy is solid at 682. Wind is light cross-onshore from the SW at 6 mph. 6ft is getting solid—still good for most surfers, but it’s starting to push beyond beginner territory. The short period means it’ll be a bit lumpy, but the size and light wind could still give you some decent, cleanish lines out on the reef if the tide plays ball. It’s a promising late burst, but being ten days out, keep your expectations in check.

One other date to note: Tuesday the 29th, when the wind turns cross-shore SSE at 12 mph with 5ft, 8-second swell. That short-period, wind-driven setup looks more like a kitesurfing session than a clean paddle.

So if you’re keen, aim for Saturday the 26th through Wednesday the 30th, with the 30th offering the most size. For now, it’s mostly a waiting game with a lot of onshore chop. Makaha’s a consistent spot, so this flat run is unusual, but forecasts can change fast. Hang in there.

Rusty.

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