Surf Forecasts:
Makaha surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, SSW swell with 1,294 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Makaha this week:
The surf forecast for Makaha over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Makaha in the next 16 days are 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makaha over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's brewing for the Westside.
I'm not gonna sugar-coat it. The next week and a half is looking pretty flat and grim. We've got a long stretch of poor conditions ahead, so if you want a proper wave, you're gonna have to wait it out. But there is a solid pulse of swell showing up in the back half of the forecast, just a long way out.
For the next several days, right through to about the 21st of August, it's all pretty marginal. Tuesday morning the 18th has a 7ft SW groundswell on offer at Makaha, but with a cross-shore breeze and a moderate chop, it's just not clean. The water is a very unusual 71°F (much warmer than normal for this time of year), which feels weird, but it won't help those bumpy faces. The combined energy is moderate (1325) but the quality isn't there. The swell drops off steadily through the rest of the week. By Thursday the 20th, we get a bit of offshore wind (WSW 10 km/h) but the swell is down to 6ft and dropping, so it's not worth the paddle.
From the 21st through to the 27th of August, it's a proper dry spell. Swell heights barely hit 3ft, and the energy is weak. There's a tiny pulse of long-period swell from the SW on the 22nd afternoon (1ft at 19 seconds) but it's so small it's a non-event. This kind of quiet stretch happens around here, so no need to worry.
Now, here's the real deal. Look ahead to the 28th of August, Friday morning. That's where we finally get something to work with. A new SW groundswell rolls in, 6ft at a very long 17 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 2011. The wind is light offshore from the SW at just 3 mph, which will leave the faces glassy and clean at Makaha. This is the standout window. The size is solid but manageable, and that long period means some real power lines with decent waits between sets. On Saturday the 29th, the morning holds with 8ft SW swell at 15 seconds and still light winds (SSW 3 mph), but by the afternoon the wind swings onshore a touch. The 1st of September also shows a little bump with 6ft SSW swell and light wind, but it's not as clean.
If you're an experienced surfer, the window from Friday the 28th morning through to Saturday the 29th morning is your best shot. It’s got the size, the right direction, and clean conditions. Just keep in mind, with that long period at a reef like Makaha, the waves will be organized and proper, but the sets can take a while. Crowds are common here, so you'll want an early start.
The rest of the run into early September is more of the same marginal stuff, with a bit of a mixed bag on the 2nd. Don't plan your week around that second half, just lock in that end-of-August window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 9 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1325 | 1547 | 543 | 811 | 645 | 567 | 540 | 432 | 318 | 215 | 147 | 108 | 82 | 91 | 83 | 108 | 96 | 67 | 87 | 122 | 37 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 10:54PM0.69m | 9:53AM0.58m | 00:12AM0.68m | 10:36AM0.50m | 1:39AM0.69m | 11:54AM0.45m | 2:51AM0.72m | 1:38PM0.43m | 3:41AM0.76m | 2:50PM0.45m | 4:18AM0.81m | 3:36PM0.48m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:56PM0.21m | 4:53AM0.44m | 4:40PM0.24m | 7:03AM0.46m | 5:39PM0.26m | 9:09AM0.43m | 6:54PM0.26m | 10:07AM0.39m | 8:02PM0.23m | 10:38AM0.36m | 8:53PM0.20m | 11:03AM0.34m | 9:35PM0.17m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 6 |
1325 | 1547 | 543 | 811 | 645 | 567 | 540 | 432 | 318 | 215 | 147 | 108 | 82 | 61 | 58 | 57 | 63 | 49 | 51 | 122 | 34 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | S 9 |
— | 257 | 290 | 161 | 120 | 69 | 93 | 90 | 132 | 97 | 109 | 80 | 51 | 49 | 83 | 47 | 43 | 41 | 35 | 35 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 11 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 10 |
— | 15 | 31 | 42 | 67 | 75 | 28 | 44 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 60 | 58 | 91 | 31 | 108 | 96 | 67 | 87 | 80 | 35 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | S 5 | — | — |
— | — | 173 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Lima | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Peru | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Makaha Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Makaha provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Makaha can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Makaha surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Makaha) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Makaha may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Makaha is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Lima. If you plan a holiday in Lima, look for hotels and other accommodation in Lima. Lima has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











