Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, E swell with 2,305 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 15s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk this out in feet and knots. The first week or so is a total loss for a proper paddle session. There’s plenty of size, but the wind is just hammering straight onshore, day in and day out. The combined swell energy is strong to very strong, with numbers like 2531 and 2383 early on, but it’s all wasted when the wind is that bad. It’d be a much better bet for kite surfing than trying to paddle out.
Now, there’s one real gem if you’re patient. Wednesday, July 29th, is when it all comes together. Wednesday morning at Makapu'u, the wind goes glassy, coming from the SSW at only 3 knots. That’s a huge win. The swell is a solid 7 ft from the ENE with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (961). The water temp is 80°, which is pretty standard for the season. That morning is the absolute standout – glassy waves and clean faces. It’s a reef break, so keep your head on a swivel, and crowds can pop up sometimes, but for that quality, it’s worth it. The afternoon gets a little cross-shore, but it’s still a light breeze.
After that, the wind cranks back onshore from the 30th all the way through to the 11th of August. Big swells keep coming, with heights over 8 ft on the 1st of August (10 ft from the ENE, energy at 1486), but it’s all blown out. That’s strictly for experts in those conditions, and honestly, it won’t be much fun.
Then, there’s another promising window way out on Wednesday, August 12th. The morning goes glassy again, with a light ESE breeze at 3 knots. Swell drops to 3 ft from the S, but it’s a long-period groundswell of 14 seconds – that’s got real power and shape, perfect for a reef like Makapu'u. The energy is moderate (645). It’s a smaller day, but clean. The afternoon gets a light cross-shore breeze, but it stays manageable. This one’s a long-range call, so it’s promising but not locked in.
So, the hands-down winner is Wednesday morning, July 29th, for the cleanest, most surfable conditions. The 12th of August is the other one to keep an eye on, but it’s a long way off. The rest of the 16 days, you’re mostly fighting the wind. Not the best stretch, but those two windows are worth waiting for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed night, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Fri night, moderate winds from the ENE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1982 | 2188 | 1211 | 821 | 550 | 299 | 327 | 246 | 367 | 471 | 484 | 1364 | 1128 | 1118 | 1245 | 1000 | 758 | 541 | 361 | 331 | 329 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 3:19PM0.66m | 1:31AM0.33m | 3:44PM0.66m | 2:12AM0.34m | 4:07PM0.66m | 2:57AM0.35m | 4:27PM0.64m | 3:46AM0.36m | 4:44PM0.61m | 4:42AM0.37m | 4:58PM0.57m | 5:48AM0.38m | 5:09PM0.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:42PM0.21m | 7:59AM-0.05m | 10:06PM0.20m | 8:32AM-0.04m | 10:31PM0.18m | 9:04AM-0.01m | 10:57PM0.16m | 9:37AM0.05m | 11:22PM0.13m | 10:12AM0.11m | 11:50PM0.10m | 10:52AM0.19m | 00:22AM0.07m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 13 | E 15 | E 16 | SW 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 |
| kJ | 1982 | 2188 | 1211 | 821 | 550 | 299 | 327 | 246 | 166 | 216 | 301 | 176 | 264 | 253 | 260 | 261 | 257 | 195 | 171 | 158 | 268 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 14 | N 7 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 16 | S 13 | SW 15 | S 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 179 | 189 | 195 | 87 | 192 | 33 | 184 | 225 | 177 | 115 | 239 | 72 | 131 | 123 | 131 | 97 | 68 | 40 | 53 | 29 | 48 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 10 | SW 21 | S 15 | SSW 20 | S 13 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | E 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | N 8 | S 12 | S 11 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSE 13 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 18 | 70 | 37 | 123 | 154 | 207 | 127 | 206 | 106 | 11 | 44 | 39 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 58 | 42 | 41 | 34 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 183 | 257 | 186 | — | — | — | — | — | 367 | 471 | 484 | 1364 | 1128 | 1118 | 1245 | 1000 | 758 | 541 | 361 | 331 | 329 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 22 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 49 | 55 | 58 | 61 | 111 | 132 | 62 | 63 | 55 | 140 | 18 | 55 | 18 | 18 |
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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