Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, ENE swell with 724 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Makapu'u this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Makapu'u in the next 16 days are 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 16s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let's be real. The surf outlook for the next couple of weeks is a bit of a downer. We've got plenty of waves on the horizon, but the wind is just going to have its way with everything, leaving us with blown-out, messy conditions. If you're desperate, there might be a moment or two, but overall, it's a waiting game.
The first week is nothing but a fight. From the 17th to the 24th, the waves are there, but they are junk. The trades are howling out of the ENE at 20-35 km/h, sometimes stronger, putting that wind straight onshore at Makapu'u. The swell is from the same direction, with short, weak periods of 6-8 seconds and moderate energy. It's just bumpy, sloppy, and frustrating. There's a tiny window on Thursday morning, the 20th, with lighter winds and a long-period groundswell, but the swell is only 2ft, so it's not going to be worth the paddle out.
Now, for the one real standout, and it's a double-edged sword. From the 27th of August, things start to get big. We're talking 10ft+ surf on the 27th and 28th, with strong to very strong wave energy, peaking at 2212 on the 28th. This is serious size, but it's all coming from the ENE with a short period, and the wind is still fresh to strong onshore. That means Makapu'u (Oahu) is going to be a full-on, raging, onshore mess. At this size, it's only for experts, and even then, it's going to be a battle royale. Honestly, with that wind and size, it looks more like a kite-surfing show than a paddle-surfing one.
Into the second week, things start to ease off a bit, but the wind stays onshore. By the 31st, the surf drops to a mere 3-4ft, but the trades are still pumping. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, but that's about the only thing that is.
So, there you have it. A 16-day outlook with no real clean days on offer. It's a long stretch of poor surf. Might be time to tune up the quiver and wait for the next swell window. Forecasts can always change, but this is a pretty grim picture right now.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Thu night, fresh winds from the ENE by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 268 | 203 | 176 | 167 | 191 | 135 | 107 | 80 | 207 | 202 | 40 | 40 | 77 | 322 | 119 | 165 | 349 | 295 | 245 | 326 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 4:40PM0.47m | 8:02AM0.45m | 4:17PM0.43m | 10:23AM0.47m | 11:48AM0.51m | 12:32PM0.55m | 1:04PM0.58m | 10:27PM0.27m | 1:31PM0.61m | 11:46PM0.30m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:52PM0.07m | 12:27PM0.33m | 00:26AM0.08m | 1:15AM0.09m | 2:41AM0.09m | 4:16AM0.08m | 9:18PM0.23m | 5:19AM0.05m | 8:24PM0.22m | |||||||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | S 13 | ENE 7 | S 13 | S 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | SW 16 | SW 17 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 268 | 170 | 176 | 119 | 117 | 135 | 107 | 80 | 90 | 131 | 278 | 295 | 77 | 322 | 261 | 255 | 215 | 146 | 144 | 100 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | E 9 | S 13 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | NNE 7 | S 12 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | SSW 17 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | SW 16 | S 13 | ESE 8 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | NW 11 | SSE 13 |
| kJ | 257 | 15 | 121 | 121 | 79 | 38 | 71 | 40 | 36 | 202 | 40 | 40 | 264 | 54 | 22 | 47 | 104 | 90 | 31 | 57 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SW 6 | SW 17 | WSW 6 | W 12 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | S 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | W 10 | S 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 13 | NW 11 | SSE 13 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 8 | 6 | 74 | 4 | 11 | 129 | 100 | 129 | 207 | 21 | 40 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 51 | 20 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 71 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 155 | 203 | 88 | 167 | 191 | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 99 | 119 | 165 | 349 | 295 | 245 | 326 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 21 | 49 | 49 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 110 | 49 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Makapu'u Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Makapu'u provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Makapu'u can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Makapu'u surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Makapu'u) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Makapu'u may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Makapu'u is 13 km (8 miles) from the city of Kailua. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kailua. Kailua has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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