Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the surf is not exactly firing. The finder shows a lot of "marginal" and "poor" conditions, so we’re in a bit of a flat spell. The first solid recommendation doesn't come until Tuesday, July 14th, and even then it's a tough call. The water is sitting at 69°, which is a solid 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a big anomaly, you’ll really feel it in the water.

We’re looking at Makaha as the only spot in the game. For the first week, from July 14th through the 20th, it’s a real grind. You’ll see some swell push through, but the wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and the quality is just not there. The combined swell energy hits moderate numbers, like 675 on Tuesday afternoon, but it’s a messy cross-shore with a slight chop. The surf is around 3 ft to 5 ft, mostly from the SSW or SW, with a 13-second period. That’s a decent period, but the wind keeps it from being clean. On Friday the 17th afternoon, it gets downright ugly with a 12 mph cross-shore wind and a score of zero – poor surf conditions.

The best bet in the first week is probably Wednesday morning, July 15th. The swell is 5 ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the wind is a light 6 mph cross-on. It’s still not perfect, but it’s the most manageable. The combined energy is moderate (650). It’s not a standout, but it’s the least bad option.

Things get a little more interesting as we head into the second week. On Tuesday, July 21st, the morning shows a 6 ft swell from the SSW with a 12-second period and light cross-on wind. The energy is solid (779). That’s a bit bigger, but still on the edge for beginners. Then on Friday, July 24th, we get a shift: the wind turns onshore from the W at 6 mph, but the swell is 5 ft from the SSW with a short 8-second period. It’s a bit of a chop fest, but the energy is moderate (564). Saturday the 25th afternoon has a 5 ft swell from the SSW with a 12-second period and onshore wind – still marginal.

The real standout, if you can wait, is Monday, July 27th. That morning we see a 3 ft swell from the SW with a very long 18-second period, and the wind is a glassy 3 mph cross-shore. The combined energy is strong (858). That’s a groundswell of the highest quality, and with near-calm conditions, it’ll be clean. The long period does mean it might break a bit straight at Makaha’s beach setup, but for a reef like this, it should produce some proper lines. This is the best on offer for the whole 16 days – a true standout, but it’s a long way off and the forecast is less certain.

If you’re a beginner, keep an eye on the swell heights. Anything over 5 ft, like the 6 ft on the 21st, is going to be a challenge. Over 8 ft, and you’re in expert territory, but we don’t see that here.

Crowds at Makaha can be a problem, especially when it’s good. It’s a very consistent break, so there’s always someone out. With the long-period swell on the 27th, expect it to be busy.

Bottom line: the first week is a write-off. The second week has a few glimmers, with the 27th being the one to circle. It’s a long wait, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

Rusty.

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