Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at the surf ahead for Makaha, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The water is sitting at a warm 72°, which is way warmer than normal for this time of year—like, freakishly warm, so you’ll be comfy in just boardshorts or a thin spring suit.

The first bit of swell worth paddling out for shows up on the morning of Thursday, 30 July. We’ve got chest-high waves averaging 4ft from the southwest, with a solid 12-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 582. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it’s a bit bumpy but not total chaos. It’s rated as marginal, so don’t expect perfection, but it’s the best we’ve got to start.

Friday, 31 July, drops off a notch. The morning has 3ft waves from the SW, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore, and the conditions are poor. Afternoon is even smaller and windier. Not worth rushing for.

The standout of the entire forecast is the morning of Saturday, 1 August. We get a clean 5ft swell from the south, with 8-second period, and the wind is offshore—light from the west. That’s glassy conditions, clean faces, and the water will be smooth. The combined energy is a moderate 524. This is your best window for a proper session. The crowd factor at Makaha is listed as “often” busy, so expect a few locals out, but with that offshore wind, it’s going to be special.

From Sunday, 2 August, through to the end of the first week, it’s a struggle. Winds are mostly cross-onshore, and the swell bounces between 2ft and 4ft, but the quality is poor to marginal at best. The water stays warm, but you’ll be fighting chop.

Now, looking into the second week, things get interesting again. The morning of Thursday, 6 August, sees a 4ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy jumps to 920—strong, powerful groundswell. The wind is light cross-onshore, so there’s a bit of texture, but that long period will make the waves fat and lined up. This is a classic Makaha reef day, but the long period means it’ll wrap in nicely. Not as clean as the Saturday offshore, but still a promising session.

The absolute best of the entire outlook, though, is the afternoon of Wednesday, 12 August. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the SSW, with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1127—strong wave energy. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, which will keep the surface fairly clean. That’s the kind of swell that’ll have the reef pulsing. It’s still a week and a half away, so treat it as promising but not locked in.

The morning of Friday, 14 August, brings a 5ft swell from the SSW, but with a short 8-second period. The wind is light cross-onshore. That’s bigger, but the short period means it’ll be a bit messy and harder to line up. Only for experienced surfers at that size, and the reef can get tricky.

Overall, the best bet is Saturday morning, 1 August, for the clean offshore conditions, and the afternoon of Wednesday, 12 August, for the big, long-period groundswell. Makaha’s a very consistent reef, so it’ll keep offering waves, but the quality varies. Stay patient, and you’ll get a good one.

Rusty.

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