Makapu'u Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk Makapu’u in feet and miles per hour. Rusty here, and this outlook is a rough one.

The first few days are a total dud. Solid onshore trade winds from the ENE are going to ruin any chance of a clean wave. The water is about 80°F, which is normal for the season, but you won’t notice the warmth when you’re getting slapped by wind chop.

The first week is a write-off. Swell is small and short-period, and the wind is relentless. By the 8th and 9th of August, you’ll see 5ft to 7ft of ENE swell, but the period is only 7 to 8 seconds, and the wind is on it hard. The combined energy hits moderate (716), but it’s all junk. The reef will be choppy and unrideable. Honestly, this setup is more for kite surfers.

The south groundswell on the 12th and 13th is a tease—3ft from the south with a 18-second period, showing high energy (980). But once again, the wind is onshore, so the surface is blown out. No joy.

The second week brings some serious size. From the 14th of August, we’re looking at 8ft to 10ft of ENE swell, with energy well into the strong range (over 1100). That’s proper swell. But the wind is a strong breeze, 25 to 28 mph, right onshore. At 8ft, this is too big for beginners, and over 10ft it’s expert-only, but even then, the waves will be ugly and closed out. The short period (8 seconds) means it’s windswell, not clean groundswell.

The best of a bad bunch? The 14th of August early morning might be the least terrible, but it’s still a messy, powerful, onshore day. The break is Makapu’u, and the wind is coming from the wrong direction (ENE, not the optimum ESE), so it’s not hitting the reef right. Crowds are sometimes a problem, but with these conditions, it’ll be empty.

The gap in good surf runs from now all the way through the 20th of August. No day has clean wind and decent swell aligned. This is a tough stretch for a spot that’s usually fairly consistent. But hey, keep checking—forecasts change.

Rusty.

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