
Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, S swell with 627 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) 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 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Makapu’u in feet and miles per hour. Rusty here, and this outlook is a rough one.
The first few days are a total dud. Solid onshore trade winds from the ENE are going to ruin any chance of a clean wave. The water is about 80°F, which is normal for the season, but you won’t notice the warmth when you’re getting slapped by wind chop.
The first week is a write-off. Swell is small and short-period, and the wind is relentless. By the 8th and 9th of August, you’ll see 5ft to 7ft of ENE swell, but the period is only 7 to 8 seconds, and the wind is on it hard. The combined energy hits moderate (716), but it’s all junk. The reef will be choppy and unrideable. Honestly, this setup is more for kite surfers.
The south groundswell on the 12th and 13th is a tease—3ft from the south with a 18-second period, showing high energy (980). But once again, the wind is onshore, so the surface is blown out. No joy.
The second week brings some serious size. From the 14th of August, we’re looking at 8ft to 10ft of ENE swell, with energy well into the strong range (over 1100). That’s proper swell. But the wind is a strong breeze, 25 to 28 mph, right onshore. At 8ft, this is too big for beginners, and over 10ft it’s expert-only, but even then, the waves will be ugly and closed out. The short period (8 seconds) means it’s windswell, not clean groundswell.
The best of a bad bunch? The 14th of August early morning might be the least terrible, but it’s still a messy, powerful, onshore day. The break is Makapu’u, and the wind is coming from the wrong direction (ENE, not the optimum ESE), so it’s not hitting the reef right. Crowds are sometimes a problem, but with these conditions, it’ll be empty.
The gap in good surf runs from now all the way through the 20th of August. No day has clean wind and decent swell aligned. This is a tough stretch for a spot that’s usually fairly consistent. But hey, keep checking—forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | SSW 14 | ENE 5 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | S 20 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
232 | 228 | 82 | 81 | 46 | 78 | 87 | 150 | 187 | 268 | 302 | 414 | 426 | 375 | 220 | 208 | 193 | 188 | 269 | 373 | |
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 | 4:57PM0.44m | 11:19AM0.53m | 12:18PM0.61m | 1:01PM0.68m | 1:40PM0.72m | 11:41PM0.30m | 2:17PM0.74m | 00:48AM0.34m | 2:50PM0.74m | 1:43AM0.37m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 1:59AM0.02m | 3:11AM-0.00m | 4:25AM-0.03m | 5:29AM-0.07m | 8:45PM0.24m | 6:24AM-0.09m | 8:55PM0.22m | 7:12AM-0.10m | 9:16PM0.20m | |||||||||||
— | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SW 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
88 | 54 | 59 | 54 | 37 | 51 | 73 | 107 | 164 | 154 | 99 | 98 | 86 | 131 | 184 | 191 | 193 | 165 | 269 | 243 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | ENE 7 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 11 | SSE 9 | S 20 |
39 | 49 | 82 | 81 | 102 | 21 | 100 | 148 | 67 | 99 | 150 | 108 | 102 | 57 | 56 | 33 | 186 | 40 | 25 | 373 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSW 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 14 | SSE 11 | NE 11 | SSW 15 | SSE 10 | NE 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | NNW 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 21 | SSE 8 |
49 | 20 | 26 | 41 | 40 | 78 | 23 | 31 | 71 | 19 | 29 | 96 | 102 | 33 | 31 | 49 | 27 | 26 | 79 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | — | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
232 | 228 | 62 | 59 | 46 | — | 87 | 150 | 187 | 268 | 302 | 414 | 426 | 375 | 220 | 208 | — | 188 | 163 | 143 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 18 | 49 | 22 | 19 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 55 | 55 | 49 | 49 | 55 | 49 | 50 | 49 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 22 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











