Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s coming.

The water is way warmer than usual for this time of year, sittin’ around 72°, which is a huge 9° above average – that’s real unusual, you won’t need much rubber.

Overall, the surf is a bit of a grind. There’s a long period groundswell from the SW, with periods up to 19 seconds, which is real long. That kind of energy works best at a reef like Makaha, but the wind is mostly cross-on or cross, keeping the surface messy. The combined wave energy starts moderate (823) and builds, but the scores are low.

The only true standout, and the one you want to mark, is Friday morning, August 7th. That morning turns glassy – dead calm – and the swell is still a clean 4ft from the SW, with a period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (667), but with those conditions, it’s going to be clean. Makaha (Oahu) is a very consistent reef break, and with that long-period SW groundswell, it’ll line up proper. Crowds are likely here, so get there early.

Before that, from Sunday July 26th through to Thursday August 6th, it’s a long stretch of marginal surf. Swell heights run from 3ft up to 5ft, but the wind is never right. The period starts long (19s) and drops off, so the shape is inconsistent. For beginners, the 5ft days on July 28th and 29th might be a bit much, but it’s choppy anyway.

After the glassy Friday, the weekend of August 8th-9th drops back into small, sloppy surf with 3ft to 4ft and cross-shore winds. The following Monday, August 10th, sees a slight uptick with 4ft from the SW and a 14-second period, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s still marginal.

So, bottom line: the first week is a washout. Friday morning, August 7th is your window. Glassy, clean, 4ft SW groundswell at Makaha – that’s the call.

Rusty.

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