Makaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what we’ve got for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, and you’ll need to pick your moments.

### Overall Pattern

The outlook is a long stretch of marginal conditions at Makaha. We’re looking at mostly cross-onshore winds and surf that’s just about enough to get wet, but rarely offers that clean, lined-up wave you’d drive across the island for. The swell energy is all over the shop, from weak to pretty solid, but the wind is the real spoiler for most of the run. The water is sitting at a very unusual 72°F to start, which is a massive 10°F warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’re in for a bath.

There are no real standouts in the first week. Tuesday the 4th kicks off with some clouds, a side-onshore breeze from the South at 9 mph, and a weak 4ft SSW swell at a short 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 596, but with that wind, it’s going to be a bumpy, choppy mess.

Wednesday morning the 5th is a little cleaner—lighter winds at 6 mph from the SW, but still cross-onshore. The swell drops slightly to 4ft from the SW, but the period stretches to a nice 13 seconds. That gives it some grunt, but the shape is going to be cut up by the ripples. The energy is sitting around 639, still moderate.

Thursday the 6th teases us in the morning: a 3ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, sending the combined energy up to 969. That’s the best quality swell of the week, but those long-period ground swells tend to close out and run straight at a beach break like Makaha. Add in the light cross-onshore wind, and it’s going to be a frustrating session.

Friday the 7th morning is probably your best bet this week. Still not perfect, but the wind goes cross-shore from the South at 6 mph, with a 4ft SW swell at a solid 14 seconds. The energy is high at 874, and the cross-shore wind won’t mess up the face as much. It’s the most rideable the forecast gets, but don’t expect bombs.

The weekend into early next week is a write-off—poor conditions and dropping swell heights. We have a real gap with nothing worthwhile from Saturday the 8th through Monday the 10th morning. Saturday sees the swell drop to 3ft with stronger side-onshore winds. Monday the 10th sees a spike in energy to 1049 and 1006 with a 4ft SW and SSW swell at a decent period, but the wind stays cross-shore, keeping it from being clean.

The second week is a bit of a holding pattern. Swell heights hover around 3ft to 4ft, mostly from the SW. The period is often good, in the 14 to 19 second range, but the wind usually has a cross component. The best of the bunch might be Saturday morning the 16th with a light WSW wind pushing in at 6 mph—that’s an honest offshore wind for Makaha. The swell is 3ft from the SW, period is 13 seconds, and the energy is 731. It’s not huge, but it could be glassy and clean.

Most of the other days in the second week, like the 17th and 19th, offer that same story: moderate energy in the 1000-1100 range, but the wind is light and cross-onshore. It’s surfable, but you’ll be fighting the texture.

### The Takeaway

Honestly, the pickings are slim. If I had to pick one session to paddle out, it’d be Saturday morning the 16th. It’s the only day with a legit offshore wind, and while the swell is modest at 3ft, the period is decent. That’s your chance to get a clean wave. Friday the 7th morning is a backup for the first week if you can handle a little cross-chop.

The rest of the run is a grind. You’d be forgiven for staying on the beach. This is one of those stretches where conditions just aren’t falling into line. Forecasts can change, but right now, be patient.

Keep your eyes on the horizon,
Rusty

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