Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, ENE swell with 1,021 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 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 0.9m 18s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got the outlook for Makapu'u.
Right off the bat, the next week and a half is looking pretty tough. The wind is relentless, blowing straight onshore from the ENE or NE, and the surf just isn’t cooperating. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions with no real standout surf. From Saturday the 12th all the way through to Thursday the 24th of September, it’s basically a write-off. The waves are small, the wind is on it, and the overall energy is weak for the most part, hitting only moderate levels (213) on the first afternoon, and then building to strong levels later, but the onshore wind will ruin any chance of a good wave. It’s just messy.
There is a bit of a change around Friday the 25th. We finally get a break from the constant onshore wind. The wind shifts to a light cross-onshore from the ESE or SE, and the swell direction swings to the SSW. The combined energy is still strong (584 to 577), and the period is a very long 14 to 16 seconds, which is classic groundswell. That said, it’s a marginal forecast and the tide might be tricky. Makapu'u is a reef break, and a very long period swell like this can sometimes make it a bit straight and challenging at a beach or reef setup. It’s not going to be perfect, but after all that onshore chop, it might be the only chance for a few cleanish waves. But it’s not a standout.
For the rest of the forecast, the wind stays onshore and the surf quality remains poor. There’s no other window to recommend. Water temperature is about 81°, which is normal for the time of year, so at least the water is warm.
So, honestly, there’s nothing I’d call a true standout in this entire 16-day run. The conditions just aren’t lining up. Hang in there, forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 12 | NE 8 | SSW 19 | E 10 | SSW 18 | ENE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSW 17 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 115 | 135 | 112 | 115 | 123 | 82 | 69 | 65 | 46 | 133 | 470 | 98 | 541 | 269 | 942 | 979 | 860 | 660 | 580 | 559 |
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 | on |
High Tide | 3:07PM0.55m | 4:11AM0.55m | 3:19PM0.50m | 4:57AM0.55m | 3:24PM0.45m | 5:47AM0.53m | 3:20PM0.41m | 6:53AM0.51m | 2:37PM0.40m | 8:54AM0.49m | 10:52AM0.51m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 9:26PM0.05m | 9:50AM0.20m | 9:48PM0.03m | 10:35AM0.25m | 10:11PM0.03m | 11:26AM0.30m | 10:35PM0.05m | 12:57PM0.34m | 11:02PM0.07m | 11:41PM0.10m | 1:18AM0.13m | |||||||||
 |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 5 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 115 | 135 | 112 | 115 | 123 | 82 | 69 | 25 | 392 | 388 | 470 | 455 | 541 | 429 | 326 | 258 | 651 | 622 | 580 | 539 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 22 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | E 12 | NNE 8 | E 10 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 98 | 84 | 45 | 84 | 100 | 77 | 227 | 65 | 35 | 66 | 50 | 98 | 19 | 12 | 152 | 210 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | SW 14 | SW 21 | E 12 | SW 12 | E 11 | SW 12 | SW 8 | NNE 8 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | W 9 | S 21 | S 20 |
| kJ | 124 | 68 | 107 | 23 | 87 | 54 | 49 | 224 | 46 | 38 | 58 | 35 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 34 | 67 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 5 | E 4 | ENE 9 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | — | 17 | 10 | 58 | 26 | 36 | 25 | 11 | 37 | 133 | 60 | 83 | 452 | 269 | 942 | 979 | 860 | 660 | 497 | 559 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 18 | 42 | 18 | 47 | 49 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 49 | 49 | 110 | 49 | 55 | 110 | 49 | 55 | 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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