Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, ENE swell with 802 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 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 2PM. 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 | 2PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, let's talk surf. I've been staring at the charts for Makapu'u, and I’m not gonna lie, it looks like a two-week battle with the wind. The waves will be showing up, but they're going to be messy, blown-out, and just plain hard work.
Today, Monday the 14th, it’s pretty weak. Swell is around 3ft, with a short, weak 8-second period, and that ENE wind is blowing 25 km/h right in your face. Wave energy is weak, sitting at 241, and it’s just bumpy and poor. Tuesday and Wednesday don’t offer much more hope – small, weak swells and the same onshore breeze messing everything up.
We do see a size jump on Thursday the 17th, with waves pushing 7ft, but it’s all that ENE wind swell, chopped up by a fresh 30-35 km/h breeze. The energy builds into the 700-900 range, but it’s not clean energy. It’s lumpy, sectiony, and just ugly. Friday the 18th brings a long-period SSW groundswell of 17 seconds with some serious power – we’re talking 1186 energy – but it’s from the wrong direction for this break and still blowing onshore. Expect closed-out, bumpy lines.
The weekend and the start of next week keep the size up, around 6-8ft, but the wind never lets up. It’s a constant 35 km/h ENE trade, and that’s going to shred any chance of a clean face. We’re seeing strong wave energy in the 800-1000+ range, but it’s all for nothing with conditions like this.
Looking into the second week, the pattern holds. There’s still some decent size, but the wind is relentless. For this kind of blowy, onshore, and powerful swell, this setup is going to be a playground for the kite surfers, not for us paddle surfers. It’s just too rough and choppy.
So, straight up, there isn't a single standout day in this whole forecast. The wind is the main story, and it’s not a good one. It's not flat, but it's going to be a grind. Keep your expectations low, and maybe save the energy for a day when the trades back off.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 13 | E 12 | E 12 | SSW 19 | NE 6 | SSW 18 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 18 | ENE 8 | SSW 17 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 123 | 82 | 80 | 68 | 49 | 66 | 470 | 95 | 541 | 421 | 602 | 697 | 651 | 622 | 580 | 545 | 522 | 547 | 650 |
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 |
High Tide | 4:57AM0.55m | 3:24PM0.45m | 5:47AM0.53m | 3:20PM0.41m | 6:53AM0.51m | 2:37PM0.40m | 8:54AM0.49m | 10:52AM0.51m | 11:47AM0.54m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:40AM0.12m | |||||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 6:35 | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 123 | 82 | 80 | 51 | 392 | 388 | 470 | 455 | 541 | 429 | 261 | 258 | 651 | 622 | 580 | 539 | 382 | 387 | 273 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 22 | SW 21 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 10 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSW 18 | S 18 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 38 | 77 | 227 | 224 | 24 | 52 | 32 | 73 | 31 | 12 | 152 | 210 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 108 | 99 | 122 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 24 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | SW 12 | S 8 | SSE 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | WSW 8 | W 9 | S 21 | S 20 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 54 | 54 | 49 | 68 | 46 | 66 | 58 | 35 | 5 | 12 | 18 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 36 | 30 | 7 | 11 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 13 | 28 | 27 | 51 | 49 | 41 | 81 | 95 | 200 | 421 | 602 | 697 | 589 | 556 | 427 | 545 | 522 | 547 | 650 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 49 | 22 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 42 | 20 | 58 | 50 | 49 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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