Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, S swell with 851 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Makapu'u this week:
The surf forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Makapu'u in the next 16 days are 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) 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 0.7m 16s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch. We’re looking at a solid 16-day gap here with zero good surf on offer. From now all the way through the end of the month, and into the first few days of September, it’s a write-off. The wind is hammering onshore from the ENE and NE almost the entire time, and that spells choppy, lumpy, blown-out conditions at Makapu'u. The swell is there, but it’s a mess.
The first small glimpse of something a little less awful comes Thursday afternoon, September 4th. Even then, it’s only rated as a “marginal” call. The wind backs off a bit to a gentle cross-onshore from the N, and the swell is 6 ft from the ENE, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined wave energy at that point is 648 – moderate. But the water temp is around 80°F, which is dead average for this time of year. Still, with cross-onshore wind, it’ll be fairly choppy, so don’t expect much. It’s a very long wait for a very average day. Sometimes the ocean just goes quiet, and this is one of those spells.
The breaks are all showing the same story: poor surf conditions, day after day. The wind is just too strong and too onshore. If you’re desperate, you could maybe look at it for a kite session, but for a paddle surfer? I’d save the energy. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a blank run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the ENE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sun morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | S 19 | S 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 207 | 202 | 119 | 67 | 106 | 322 | 137 | 225 | 286 | 255 | 371 | 277 | 188 | 156 | 212 | 364 | 319 | 245 | 215 | 450 | 311 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 11:48AM0.51m | 12:32PM0.55m | 1:04PM0.58m | 10:27PM0.27m | 1:31PM0.61m | 11:46PM0.30m | 1:55PM0.63m | 00:27AM0.33m | 2:17PM0.65m | 1:04AM0.37m | 2:38PM0.65m | 1:42AM0.40m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 2:41AM0.09m | 4:16AM0.08m | 9:18PM0.23m | 5:19AM0.05m | 8:24PM0.22m | 6:03AM0.02m | 8:21PM0.21m | 6:39AM-0.00m | 8:32PM0.20m | 7:12AM-0.01m | 8:49PM0.18m | ||||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | ESE 9 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | S 18 |
| kJ | 67 | 160 | 119 | 67 | 106 | 322 | 261 | 255 | 215 | 77 | 191 | 100 | 166 | 156 | 129 | 85 | 142 | 121 | 215 | 450 | 311 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | W 10 | S 13 | SSE 12 | S 14 | SSW 15 | SSE 13 | S 13 | SSE 12 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 71 | 202 | 278 | 295 | 264 | 31 | 84 | 50 | 104 | 144 | 60 | 86 | 50 | 51 | 51 | 146 | 56 | 56 | 107 | 135 | 135 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSE 12 | W 9 | NNE 7 | W 10 | S 13 | ESE 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | S 13 | NW 12 | SSW 15 | NW 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 7 | SSW 18 | S 21 | WNW 11 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 207 | 28 | 28 | 41 | 32 | 54 | 22 | 35 | 28 | 90 | 36 | 71 | 23 | 48 | 46 | 28 | 9 | 108 | 79 | 11 | 51 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 117 | 137 | 225 | 286 | 255 | 371 | 277 | 188 | 147 | 212 | 364 | 319 | 245 | 201 | 192 | 170 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 49 | 58 | 56 | 62 | 63 | 49 | 50 | 55 | 49 | 49 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 22 |
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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