Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get real about what’s on the table for Makaha. We’ve got a long stretch ahead, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag with a few bright spots if you’re patient.

The first swells we see are coming in from the southwest, which is a good direction for this spot, but the conditions are a bit of a letdown. For Sunday the 6th, we’re looking at a 3 ft SW swell with a period of 13 seconds and a combined energy of 751. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s not clean, but it’s not blown out either. The water temperature is a balmy 68°, which is a solid 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s pretty unusual, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.

Monday the 7th is a bit smaller, with 3 ft to 3 ft SW swell, but the period stretches out to 16 seconds. That long period means the waves will have some real push, but it’s a groundswell that might break a bit too straight for a beach break setup. The wind is still light and cross-onshore, so it’s marginal. The energy is moderate at 670-704.

Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th see a slight bump up to 4 ft from the SW, with periods around 14 seconds. The energy is moderate (784-895). The wind picks up to a gentle cross-shore breeze, which is a bit better, but there’s a slight cross-chop developing. It’s still not firing, just okay.

The real problem is that from Thursday the 10th onward, the scores drop hard. The wind stays cross or cross-onshore, and the conditions get choppy. By Friday the 11th, we’re into poor surf territory with nothing rideable, and that continues for several days. There’s a big gap of almost no decent surf from the 11th through the 19th. The swell stays small, the wind is messy, and it’s just not worth paddling out.

There is a late-breaking glimmer. On Saturday the 20th of September, we see a pulse of 5 ft SSW swell building to 6 ft by the afternoon, with a short period of 8 seconds. The energy climbs back up to 682. The wind is light cross-onshore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s the most size we’ve seen in a while. That trend continues into Monday the 21st with 6 ft SSW swell. This is a bit of a long-range call, so it’s promising but not locked in yet. The short period means it’ll be a bit crumbly and less powerful, but for a spot that’s been quiet, it’s the standout window.

So, the best bet on offer is the window around the 20th and 21st of September. If you’re an experienced surfer, the 6 ft to 6 ft swell is doable, but it’s pushing into the “too big for beginners” territory. The break is a very consistent reef, which is a positive, and it’s exposed to the SW swell. The crowds are “often” here, so expect company. The optimum swell direction is SW, and we’re getting SSW, so it’s close but not perfect.

For the first week, the 6th and 7th are the only real chances, and even then, it’s marginal. The surf quality is just not there. Don’t expect much until that late September pulse.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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