Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on offer at Makaha.

First up, you've gotta know the water is running much warmer than normal for this time of year – we're talking a solid 4° above average at 68°, so the tropical feels are strong.

Look, the honest truth is the next week and a half is a bit of a grind. The swell is pretty weak and the wind is mostly coming from the wrong direction. From Thursday, August 27th, right the way through to the end of August, we're looking at small, messy waves. It kicks off with a tiny 2 ft south-west swell Thursday morning, but with that 6 mph cross-onshore breeze, it's just not clean. The energy is low at 493, and the comment says it all – marginal surf or a tide issue.

We get a pulse on Friday, August 28th, with the swell bumping up to 6 ft in the morning and 7 ft in the afternoon, coming from the south-west. The combined energy jumps to 1633 in the morning and 1960 in the afternoon – a solid push. But the wind is still cross or cross-onshore, making it choppy. The period is around 15-16 seconds, so there’s some good groundswell power in there, but it's not lining up cleanly.

Saturday and Sunday see the swell dropping back, still with that same cross-shore wind keeping things messy. The energy sinks from 1313 down to 677. It's not great.

The standout window

The real highlight, and the only one I'd really get excited about, is the stretch from Thursday, September 3rd, through to Tuesday, September 8th. We see a building south-west groundswell with periods hitting 16 to 17 seconds. The energy numbers climb back up – 1130 on the 3rd, 1422 on the morning of the 8th. The swell holds around 4 ft to 5 ft. The other huge thing? The wind. We get a brief taste of light winds and even a morning of offshore on Friday, September 4th, with a 6 mph south wind coming cross-shore. That’ll clean it up.

For the pick of the week, I'd point you to Friday morning, September 4th. The swell is a clean 5 ft from the south-west with a period of 16 seconds, the wind is light and cross-shore, and the energy is a solid 1085. This will be the best combo of size and shape we see.

Also, keep an eye on Tuesday morning, September 8th. The swell is 5 ft, period 16 seconds, and the energy is the highest in the whole forecast at 1422, with light cross-onshore wind. It's going to be a bit bigger and fuller.

For beginners, that Friday and Saturday (5th and 6th) with 4 ft to 4 ft swell will be about the limit of comfort. The 7 ft on Friday, August 28th afternoon, is pushing into more experienced surfer territory, especially with the messy wind. Because this is a reef break that is very consistent and exposed to the swell, it’s not a novice spot when it gets some size. And watch out—crowds are listed as *often*, so expect company, especially on any decent day.

Now, for the second week, things get quieter. From Wednesday, September 10th, the swell fades back to 3 ft to 4 ft. The wind looks okay on the 11th with a light 6 mph offshore in the morning, but the energy is low at 507. Nothing to drive hours for.

Summary: The first few days are a write-off. Get your board ready for the window between Thursday, September 3rd and Tuesday, September 8th. Friday, September 4th morning, and Tuesday, September 8th morning look like the real highlights with that long-period south-west groundswell and manageable wind.

Rusty.

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