Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 541 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 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 18s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a hard look at what’s cookin’ on the north shore of Oahu, specifically at Makapu'u.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: this is a rough stretch for paddle surfing. For the first two and a half weeks, the wind is hammering onshore from the ENE and NE, mostly 12-25 mph, and the swell is coming from bad directions for this spot. It’s a reef break that needs that ESE optimum, and we’re not getting it. The water temp is about 81°, which is a dead normal reading for this time of year.
From Wednesday the 9th all the way through the morning of Tuesday the 24th, every single time slot is flagged as poor surf conditions. The swell shows up, bouncing between 3 ft up to 7 ft, but the wind is relentless and the direction is all wrong. There’s a long stretch there, over two weeks, where you’d be better off staying home or goin’ for a swim.
Now, things take a turn on Thursday the 24th. The morning goes glassy – wind drops to 3 mph from the SE. That’s a huge change. We’ve got a 2 ft SSW groundswell running with a very long period of 16 seconds. Combined energy is 469 (moderate). The afternoon turns clean with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW, same 3 ft swell, 16 seconds period, energy 463 (moderate). The swell direction is matching the optimum for this spot. This is the one standout. It’s not big, but it’ll be clean, shaped-up waves rolling in on that reef. For a confident surfer, this is the session to aim for. The water is gonna be clean, the sets will have some push, and the crowds? At Makapu'u, crowds are possible, so keep an eye out.
Bottom line: wait for Thursday the 24th. Everything before that is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 257 | 208 | 261 | 232 | 181 | 387 | 209 | 218 | 160 | 125 | 132 | 107 | 107 | 115 | 222 | 187 | 135 | 91 | 89 | 470 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 2:10PM0.68m | 1:57AM0.46m | 2:33PM0.65m | 2:42AM0.50m | 2:52PM0.60m | 3:26AM0.53m | 3:07PM0.55m | 4:11AM0.55m | 3:19PM0.50m | 4:57AM0.55m | 3:24PM0.45m | 5:47AM0.53m | 3:20PM0.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:24PM0.14m | 7:47AM0.03m | 8:43PM0.10m | 8:28AM0.08m | 9:04PM0.07m | 9:09AM0.14m | 9:26PM0.05m | 9:50AM0.20m | 9:48PM0.03m | 10:35AM0.25m | 10:11PM0.03m | 11:26AM0.30m | 10:35PM0.05m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — |
mm | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | SSW 14 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | NE 7 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 140 | 202 | 261 | 232 | 123 | 261 | 229 | 218 | 160 | 112 | 132 | 107 | 107 | 115 | 77 | 227 | 224 | 392 | 89 | 470 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 12 | E 12 | SW 16 | NNE 8 | SSW 11 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 12 | SSW 24 | SW 14 | SW 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 |
| kJ | 257 | 195 | 141 | 101 | 268 | 44 | 43 | 51 | 92 | 125 | 84 | 107 | 84 | 38 | 54 | 49 | 44 | 42 | 57 | 39 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | NW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 9 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | SSE 8 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 215 | 46 | 133 | 129 | 71 | 43 | 28 | 226 | 242 | 124 | 68 | 57 | 37 | 54 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 41 | 388 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | — | ENE 8 |
| kJ | — | 208 | — | 151 | 181 | 387 | 209 | — | — | — | — | 82 | 84 | 49 | 222 | 187 | 135 | 91 | — | 220 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 16 | 49 | 49 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 35 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 25 | 18 | 8 |
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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