Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, S swell with 861 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 1.2m 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| 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, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. Looking at Makapu'u over this 16-day stretch, I’m not gonna lie – it’s a tough run. The trade winds are hammering us from the east-northeast almost every single day, blowing straight onshore. That means the surf is going to be chopped up, bumpy, and messy for the most part. The water temp is sitting at about 80°F, which is normal for this time of year, so that’s fine, but the wind is the story here, and it’s not a good one.
From Saturday the 22nd right through to Tuesday the 1st of September, it’s just poor surf conditions day after day. We’re looking at wind speeds of 18 to 25 mph out of the ENE, slapping the face of every wave. There’s a bit of swell in the mix, mostly around 5 to 7 ft, but with that short, choppy 7-second period and the wind howling, it’s not worth paddling out. The combined energy is moderate to strong, but it’s all wind energy, not quality. It’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.
Then we get a tiny flicker on Wednesday the 2nd of September. The wind drops to about 9 mph in the morning, still onshore but lighter. Swell comes in at 6 ft from the ENE with a slightly better 8-second period, and the energy bumps up. It’s still marginal – the file calls it questionable – but if you’re desperate, that Wednesday morning might be the least bad option. But I wouldn’t get excited.
The rest of the week into September stays windy and onshore. Swells fluctuate between 4 ft and 7 ft, mostly ENE, with short periods. The combined energy stays in the moderate-to-strong range, but without clean wind, it’s all for nothing. There’s a brief shift to a southerly swell on a couple of days with a long 14-19 second period, but that’s still coming with onshore winds, so it’s not going to shape up well at this exposed reef.
Bottom line: there’s no standout session here. If you absolutely have to get wet, aim for Wednesday the 2nd of September morning when the wind is lightest. But honestly, this stretch looks better for the kite crew than us paddle surfers. Hang in there – forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | S 18 | S 19 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 345 | 383 | 307 | 414 | 308 | 352 | 285 | 286 | 376 | 346 | 268 | 226 | 307 | 458 | 861 | 427 | 590 | 260 | 329 | 239 |
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 | 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 | 2:57PM0.65m | 2:22AM0.43m | 3:14PM0.63m | 3:05AM0.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:45AM-0.00m | 9:08PM0.15m | 8:18AM0.02m | 9:29PM0.12m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 18 | S 19 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 255 | 215 | 146 | 191 | 100 | 104 | 156 | 129 | 85 | 142 | 121 | 215 | 307 | 458 | 861 | 427 | 590 | 260 | 329 | 173 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | S 14 | S 13 | SSE 13 | S 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | S 12 | NNE 8 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 |
| kJ | 50 | 104 | 90 | 35 | 86 | 86 | 48 | 15 | 146 | 81 | 81 | 107 | 45 | 96 | 10 | 72 | 19 | 107 | 140 | 168 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSE 7 | SSW 17 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 18 | S 21 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 16 | NNE 7 | SSW 19 | SSW 10 |
| kJ | 34 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 71 | 62 | 11 | 94 | 28 | 43 | 108 | 79 | 59 | 50 | 7 | 13 | 46 | 18 | 36 | 19 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 345 | 383 | 307 | 414 | 308 | 352 | 285 | 286 | 376 | 346 | 268 | 226 | 170 | 165 | 152 | 149 | 200 | 200 | 189 | 239 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 58 | 55 | 55 | 58 | 55 | 55 | 49 | 49 | 55 | 55 | 49 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 110 | 50 |
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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