Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Makaha. This is a spot that’s very consistent and exposed to the swell, so it always has something to offer, but the quality is going to be all over the shop for the first while. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 9° above average, so you’ll be comfortable in a shorty or less.

We kick off on Tuesday, the 18th of August, and it’s a bit of a messy start. We’ve got a solid 7 ft to 8 ft SW groundswell rolling in with a long period of 12 to 13 seconds, and the combined energy is strong (1325 to 1819). But, the wind is blowing cross-shore from the SSE at 12 to 16 mph, putting a cross-chop on it. It’s surfable for sure, but it’s not going to be clean. Wednesday looks similar with a 7 ft SSW swell, though the period drops a bit. The wind is a little lighter from the south at 9 mph, still cross-shore, so still a bit lumpy.

Then on Thursday, the 20th of August, things finally turn. We’ve got offshore wind from the WSW at 6 mph in the morning, blowing straight into the face of a 6 ft SSW swell with a 9-second period. The combined energy is moderate (648). This is your standout window for the first week – clean conditions on a solid, fun-sized swell. The afternoon sees the wind go cross-on, so definitely hit the early session at Makaha.

After that, the swell backs way off. From Friday the 21st through the middle of the following week, we’re looking at waist-to-chest high waves at best, with mostly cross or cross-on winds. The combined energy drops into the hundreds – weak to moderate. It’s a bit of a flat spell, honestly. The period gets very long on the 22nd and 23rd (19 seconds), but the swell height is only 1 ft, so it’s just a long-period wobble with no real push. This is a stretch where you’d be better off taking the kayak out.

We then see a bit of a rebuild starting around Friday the 28th of August. A new SW groundswell fills in, with 3 ft to 5 ft waves and a long 16 to 18-second period. The energy jumps back into the strong range (1057 on Friday afternoon). The wind stays light cross-on from the SSW at 6 mph, so it won’t be perfect, but it’s a promising sign.

The best bet of the entire forecast is Saturday, the 29th of August. We’ve got a solid 6 ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1575). The wind in the afternoon is cross-shore from the south at 9 mph, but it’s a gentle breeze, so just a slight cross-chop. This is the biggest and most energetic window on offer. Sunday the 30th holds similar 6 ft SW swell with light winds, too. After that, the swell drops off again heading into September.

So, for the whole 16 days, the true standouts are Thursday morning, the 20th of August for the offshore wind and solid waves, and then Saturday the 29th of August for the biggest, most powerful swell of the run. Get on it.

Rusty.

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