
Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with 578 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 8AM. 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 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it for Makapu'u. Honestly, for the next couple of weeks, we're looking at a pretty tough stretch. The wind is going to be the main problem – it's howling onshore from the east-northeast for days on end, just trashing what little swell there is. There's energy out there, but the conditions are making it a write-off for a paddle surfer. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is right where it should be for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're getting frustrated.
We kick off on Thursday the 10th. There's a 5ft swell from the ENE (period 7s), but with a fresh 22 mph onshore wind, it's a total mess. The combined energy is moderate at 477, but honestly, it looks more like a kite session than a surf session. That pattern of onshore wind and marginal surf just locks in. Friday the 11th through Tuesday the 15th is a real dry spell – the swell drops to 3ft-4ft, the wind stays strong and onshore, and scores are flat. There's a gap of several days here with zero to recommend.
Wednesday the 16th sees a pulse of short, wind-affected 6ft swell from the ENE (period 7s), but the wind is still a fresh 22 mph onshore. Late in the day, there's a big jump in energy to 936 from a 3ft, 18-second SSW swell, but the wind is still trashing it.
The situation gets uglier on Thursday the 17th. Swell bumps up to 7ft from the ENE (period 8s) and the energy is strong at 1066-1108, but it's accompanied by a cracking 25 mph onshore breeze. That's expert-only territory due to the size, and you'd be fighting a washing machine. The energy stays high through the 18th and 19th with these long-period 15-17 second SSW swells (797-933 energy), but again, that persistent onshore wind ruins the party.
Now, if you're looking for the only glimmer of hope, you have to wait. The best window, and it's not perfect, looks to be around Tuesday the 22nd. The wind finally eases to a light breeze from the ENE (6 mph) and we see a 6ft swell from the ENE with a period of 10s and moderate energy of 745. The report calls it "marginal" but that's the best of a bad bunch. It's not a standout, it's just the least bad. The crowds at Makapu'u can be an issue, but on a day like this, it might be manageable.
Looking further ahead to the 24th and 25th, the wind switches to a light cross/offshore from the east and southeast, which is a major positive for clean conditions. We get a 5ft ENE swell (period 10-11s) with strong energy (990-1113). The "marginal" tag here is more about the swell direction being a bit east for the optimum ESE, but the clean surface makes it the only real window for a decent wave. Still, it's a long way out, so keep an eye on those forecasts.
In short, the next two weeks are mostly a blown-out mess. The only two days with a prayer are the 22nd and then possibly the 24th or 25th if the long-range call holds. Right now, the gear stays in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 19 | ENE 7 | SSW 18 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
247 | 191 | 422 | 292 | 279 | 160 | 115 | 135 | 135 | 220 | 210 | 153 | 165 | 145 | 121 | 89 | 470 | 301 | 541 | 451 | |
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 | 2:33PM0.65m | 2:42AM0.50m | 2:52PM0.60m | 3:26AM0.53m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:43PM0.10m | 8:28AM0.08m | 9:04PM0.07m | 9:09AM0.14m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 11 | NNE 8 | SW 15 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | SSW 15 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 22 | NE 8 | NE 7 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 |
101 | 123 | 422 | 72 | 226 | 160 | 115 | 135 | 135 | 84 | 38 | 50 | 227 | 145 | 121 | 388 | 470 | 455 | 541 | 429 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 24 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SW 20 | E 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
129 | 268 | 261 | 229 | 52 | 92 | 98 | 108 | 107 | 23 | 54 | 54 | 49 | 224 | 392 | 32 | 57 | 69 | 68 | 98 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 12 | NNE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 10 | SSW 24 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | E 12 | E 11 | ESE 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 |
155 | 77 | 42 | 43 | 25 | 242 | 124 | 68 | 57 | 8 | 54 | 12 | 12 | 68 | 46 | 64 | 19 | 35 | 19 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 |
247 | 191 | — | 292 | 279 | — | — | 11 | 82 | 220 | 210 | 153 | 165 | — | — | 89 | 135 | 301 | 327 | 451 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 50 | 20 | 49 | 18 | 18 | 49 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 55 | 55 | 49 |
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.










