Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break this one down. Makaha has a long run of waves coming, but the wind is gonna be the main character for a lot of it. The pick of the bunch is Tuesday, August 11th, with Friday, August 14th as a solid backup.

First surf hits Sunday morning, August 9th. Waves are about head-high at 4 ft from the south, but there’s a light cross-onshore breeze chopping up the surface a bit. The combined swell energy is moderate (504). Water temp is about normal for this time of year.

Monday, August 10th gives us a 4 ft SSW swell with a very long period of 14 seconds – that’s groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong at 1074. Wind is light cross-onshore (10 km/h) which puts a few bumps on the face. Not clean, but the power is there.

Tuesday, August 11th is the highlight. Swell size drops a hair to 4 ft from the SSW, but the period stretches to a very long 15 seconds – perfect for a west-facing reef like this. Combined energy is 994 (strong). The wind turns to a light cross breeze, giving you cleaner conditions. Long period means longer lulls between sets, easier paddling, and good shape on the reef. Crowds are often, but on a day like this it’ll be worth it.

Wednesday, August 12th fades: 5 ft in the morning with a 13-second period and cross winds (15 km/h). The afternoon drops to 3 ft and gets chopped up by a cross-onshore breeze. Poor conditions by then.

Thursday, August 13th starts with a small 3 ft SW swell, but a very long 19-second period – clean looking but weak. The afternoon brings a 4 ft SW swell (18 seconds) with moderate energy (1066) but a moderate cross breeze creating chop.

Friday, August 14th morning is a good call: 4 ft from the SW with a 16-second period and light cross-onshore. The energy is strong (1109). It’s not glassy, but it’s a solid size with quality groundswell.

From Saturday, August 15th through Tuesday, August 18th, it’s a choppy run. Swell stays between 4 ft and 5 ft from the SSW/SW with periods dropping to 12-14 seconds. Cross-shore and cross-onshore winds (15-30 km/h) keep the surface messy. Energy stays in the moderate to strong range (652 to 1452), but the clear, clean windows are rare.

Tuesday, August 18th brings a bigger pulse: 7 ft from the SSW (12 seconds, strong energy at 1430). That’s in the expert zone – too big for most. The cross-shore wind at 20+ km/h will make it a bumpy, large-wave session.

The final stretch from Wednesday, August 20th onward is small. Swell drops to 1 ft to 5 ft, periods are short or weak (8 to 21 seconds), and the energy is low (198-511). Light offshore winds on the 21st and 22nd might clean up those tiny 1 ft long-period waves, but you won’t be getting any power.

So if you’re picking a day, Tuesday, August 11th is the standout: good clean shape, light breeze, and that long-period groundswell. Friday, August 14th is your backup. The rest of the run is a waiting game with some tricky winds and a few solid pulses that need a break in the weather.

- Rusty

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