Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folx, Rusty here with a look at the upcoming stretch at Makaha. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead, so let’s break it down.

Right off the bat, the water is sitting at a warm 68°, which is a whopping 7° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so don’t expect that winter chill just yet.

The first opportunity we see is on Monday afternoon, 7 September. We’ve got a 3 ft SW groundswell rolling in with a long 16-second period. The combined swell energy is moderate at 704. The wind is a light cross-onshore breeze, which will put a few ripples on the face but won’t ruin it completely. It won't be the cleanest, but it's a start after what looks like a quiet spell. The swell direction is bang on from the optimum SW direction for this spot, so there will be some energy wrapping in.

Tuesday the 8th picks up a touch, with the swell rising to 4 ft from the SW, paired with a 14-second period. The energy is still solid, sitting around 867 on Tuesday morning. The wind, however, turns cross-shore and picks up to 9 to 12 mph, stirring up a bit of chop. It’s surfable, but keep expectations honest.

Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th see the swell drop a little, back to the 3 ft to 4 ft range, with the wind staying mostly cross or cross-onshore. The chop will be a factor, so it’s more of a session for a log or a funboard when you’re not fussy.

Now, Friday the 11th morning looks interesting. The wind finally swings offshore out of the WSW at 9 mph. The swell is still a modest 3 ft from the SW with a 14-second period, but that offshore wind will clean it right up. The combined energy is lower at 498, so the overall push isn't huge. This is the standout moment of the first week – clean conditions on a consistent reef break. Makaha is very consistent and exposed, so it’ll be working, but with that smaller size, it’s beginner-friendly.

After that, we hit a rough patch. From Friday afternoon through the weekend and into the following week, conditions get poor. The winds turn mostly cross-onshore or onshore, the swell size teeters between 1 ft and 4 ft, and the period drops off. The combined energy falls below 500, often dipping into the 300s and lower. There is a blip on Monday the 14th with a very long 18-second period swell at 2 ft, giving a moderate energy of 595, but the cross-onshore wind keeps it from being anything special. This is a real hole in the forecast.

Things finally get back to a marginal state around the 19th of September. Saturday the 19th shows a 4 ft SW swell with a 13-second period and a combined energy of 581 in the morning. The wind is cross-onshore, but it’s light. It’s a far cry from the earlier clean window, but it’s something to paddle out for.

The last few days of the window, the 20th through the 22nd, see the energy die off completely, with most readings below 250. It’s a flat finish to a patchy outlook.

So, the honest truth? There’s no true classic in this 16-day stretch. The best on offer is Friday morning, 11 September at Makaha. That 3 ft SW groundswell with the offshore WSW wind will give you the cleanest, most user-friendly waves of the whole run. It won’t be big, but it will be the most fun. The other noticeable moment is Monday afternoon, 7 September, as the first real swell arrives with decent energy.

Do yourself a favor and make a plan for that Friday morning window. The rest of the time? Keep the board in the car and be ready to be patient. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

- Rusty

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