Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the imperial version. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks. The swell window is open, but honestly, most of the time it’s going to be a bit of a struggle – marginal conditions, light cross‑on winds, and questionable tides. The one shining moment comes next Saturday morning, and that’s your window if you want something clean. Otherwise, it’s a long grind of small, messy surf.

Let’s start with the water. Out at Makaha, the ocean is running at 70°, which is a full 6° warmer than what we’d usually see this time of year. That’s very unusual – you’ll be sweating in your wetsuit, if you even need one.

The overall pattern is a long‑period SW groundswell hanging around, but winds are mostly light cross‑onshore, keeping things bumpy. The energy sits between moderate and strong (values from 1420 down to 254 as the weeks roll on), but the quality just isn’t there. For the first week (Sunday 5th through Friday 10th), we’ve got 3‑5 ft SW swell, periods of 14‑20 seconds, but every session is either cross‑on or just plain messy. Monday morning (6th) has a brief window of offshore wind (W 6 mph), but the wave comment calls it “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions” – trust me, it’s not worth the sprint.

Then comes Saturday, July 11th morning. That’s the standout. Makaha sees a 4 ft SW swell with a 13‑second period, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm. The water is slick, no wind ripples. For a reef break that’s very consistent and beginner‑friendly, this is as good as it gets in this forecast. The energy is moderate (550), but the cleanliness makes it rideable and fun. Crowds are often around here, but early morning might buy you some space.

After Saturday, the trend fades. Sunday 12th through Tuesday 14th still have some waist‑high SW swell (4‑4 ft, periods 13‑17s), but the cross‑on wind returns. Wednesday 15th pushes up to 5 ft SW with a 14‑second period, but the wind picks up to a gentle cross‑shore 9 mph – not terrible, but not glassy. Energy is strong (1115) but the wind is on the wrong side. That same day afternoon drops off.

From Thursday 16th onward it gets rough. Winds turn moderate cross‑shore, energy drops fast, and by Friday 17th the swell is small and poorly defined. The last few days (18th‑20th) see tiny waves (2‑3 ft), poor conditions, and energy in the low hundreds. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate for a splash.

So to sum it up: the best surf in the whole 16‑day window is Saturday July 11th morning at Makaha – glassy, clean, waist‑high SW groundswell. That’s your moment. Everything else is marginal at best.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the next forecast.
Rusty

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