Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ down the pipe.

Honestly, for the next 16 days, we’re lookin’ at a pretty flat and messy run at Makaha (Oahu). The swell just ain’t got any punch behind it. Most of the time the wind is cross or cross-on, and the wave quality is pretty sad. There’s no single day where it all comes together for a proper session. We start off weak and stay that way.

Right from Wednesday the 2nd, we got a southwest groundswell rollin’ in with a real long 18-second period, but it’s only 3 ft. The wind is cross-on from the south at 9 mph and that’s making it choppy. The overall wave energy is moderate (789) but the surf report says conditions are poor. That long period is nice in theory, but with that size and side wind, the reef won’t be shaping up clean. The water is 69°F, which is 7°F warmer than average for this time of year – real unusual, the ocean feels like bathwater.

Thursday the 3rd sees the swell bumpin’ up just a little, around 4 ft to 5 ft, still from the southwest, but the cross-on wind stays all day. The wave energy gets moderate to strong (up to 1058 on Thursday afternoon), but there’s still that sideways wind messin’ things up.

Friday the 4th is probably the best we’ve got in this whole stretch, and that’s not sayin’ much. The swell hits about 5 ft out of the southwest, but the period drops to 16 seconds – still a groundswell though. The wind goes cross-shore, so it’s not blowin’ straight on, but there’s a slight cross-chop. The energy is moderate (1358 Friday morning). Still, with the wind and the marginal surf label, it’s only a slight improvement.

After that, it’s a slow downhill slide. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th get smaller and the wind gets cross-on again. By Monday the 7th we get a rare moment of offshore wind (from the SW) but the swell is flat at 3 ft with only moderate energy (729). That’s a tease more than a session.

There’s a week-long gap from Monday the 7th right through to Monday the 14th where the surf just hangs around 3 ft to 4 ft range, with weak energy and persistent cross-on winds. The setups are too small and lumpy to recommend to anyone. By Tuesday the 15th the period drops to 8 seconds – short period wind swell – at 5 ft from the south, which is just sloppy.

There’s one more moment on Thursday the 17th where the early morning wave height gets up to 5 ft from the south, with a short 9-second period and offshore wind from the SW. The energy is weak (566) but at least the wind is clean. Still, the southwest direction isn’t ideal for Makaha which likes it from the SW optimum, but the size is a small bump. Still nothing to rave about.

Overall, if you’re itchin’ to paddle out, Friday the 4th has the best shot at a few rideable, chest-high lines, but keep expectations low. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a waiting game. There’s a big dry spell with no good surf stretches for almost a full week at a time, so don’t hold your breath.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the charts, and maybe bring a camera for the sunset instead.

Rusty

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