Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, E swell with 752 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 1.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 17s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at the charts for the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, the outlook is a bit of a heartbreaker. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but there’s a massive dry spell right from the start. For the first week and a half, from Saturday the 29th of August right through to Wednesday the 9th of September, it’s simply no good. The wind is howling onshore from the ENE, mostly a fresh breeze of 18 to 22 mph, and the swell is a mix of short-period, weak windswell that’s just getting torn up. The combined energy is moderate, ranging from 490 to 960, but it’s all messy. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” for every single session in that stretch. You’re better off staying home.
There is a brief flicker of hope on the 11th of September, Friday morning, when a long-period 16-second S swell rolls in at around 3 ft, but it’s labelled “marginal” and the energy is still moderate at 543. The wind is light onshore, so it’s not a total write-off, but it’s nothing to get excited about.
The real standout, if you can call it that, comes on Monday the 7th of September, but it’s for experts only. The swell jumps to a solid 10 ft from the ENE, and the combined energy hits a very strong 2066. However, the wind is still a fresh 18 mph onshore, and the period is only 10 seconds, so it’s going to be a beast of a closeout. The wave comment stays “poor surf conditions.” This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one, especially at a beach and reef break like Makapu'u.
That’s the only window where the size really pumps, but the quality is missing. The rest of the second week, from the 10th to the 13th, is a mix of marginal and poor conditions with moderate onshore winds and small, short-period swells. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Basically, this is a blank run. There are no good surf options in the 16-day forecast. The consistency is shot, and the wind is a constant problem. Sometimes it just stays poor for a while in this area, and forecasts can change, but right now, I wouldn’t be waxing up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 16 | S 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 229 | 240 | 220 | 555 | 419 | 307 | 338 | 376 | 531 | 514 | 527 | 569 | 589 | 427 | 401 | 353 | 331 | 257 | 238 |
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 | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 3:05AM0.46m | 3:30PM0.60m | 3:52AM0.48m | 3:45PM0.56m | 4:44AM0.51m | 3:57PM0.51m | 5:44AM0.52m | 4:04PM0.47m | 7:03AM0.52m | 3:54PM0.43m | 9:02AM0.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:29PM0.12m | 8:54AM0.07m | 9:52PM0.09m | 9:33AM0.13m | 10:17PM0.05m | 10:16AM0.20m | 10:46PM0.03m | 11:06AM0.27m | 11:19PM0.02m | 12:22PM0.33m | 00:03AM0.02m | 1:10AM0.03m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | 6:50 | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 229 | 171 | 106 | 188 | 171 | 100 | 199 | 144 | 138 | 192 | 329 | 314 | 364 | 427 | 401 | 275 | 268 | 195 | 225 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 |
| kJ | 195 | 85 | 89 | 47 | 47 | 162 | 59 | 82 | 55 | 50 | 29 | 77 | 35 | 33 | 40 | 83 | 119 | 145 | 138 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | E 11 | ENE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 56 | 89 | 75 | 45 | 47 | 61 | 35 | 64 | 122 | 80 | 51 | 52 | 51 | 30 | 48 | 58 | 33 | 33 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 226 | 240 | 220 | 555 | 419 | 307 | 338 | 376 | 531 | 514 | 527 | 569 | 589 | 423 | 392 | 353 | 331 | 257 | 238 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 49 | 55 | 58 | 63 | 55 | 55 | 49 | 50 | 58 | 49 | 49 | 110 | 49 | 49 | 61 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 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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