Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,094 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Makapu'u in the next 16 days are 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 10s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey everyone, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are lookin’ pretty grim for a proper surf. The models are showing a whole lotta onshore wind and dribble for the foreseeable future, so don’t be expecting any magic. We've got a long stretch of nothing much on the cards, especially after that initial window.
The only real chance to get wet is right at the start. Tuesday morning, the 8th of September, is your window. Makapu'u (Big Island) is a standout, but it's for the experienced crew only. The swell is a solid 7.9ft at 10 seconds from the SSW, and with that cross-off breeze at 22 mph, it's gonna be a bit of a battle. The water is a warm 80.6°, which is about normal for this time of year. The energy in the water is strong, at (2541). It’s going to be a handful, and with the crowds that can show up here, it might be a bit of a circus. This is not one for the beginners, that's for sure.
That afternoon, the swell eases a touch to 5.9ft from the ENE, but the wind stays cross-off. It might clean up a little, but it's still going to be a testy session. After that, the window slams shut.
From Wednesday the 9th onwards, the wind swings onshore and it just gets messy. For days on end, we're looking at onshore breezes and poor surf. The swell drops right off and the period goes short, which is just a recipe for blown-out, crumbly junk. This poor stretch is going to last a long time. We're talking a solid week or more of nothing worth paddling out for. The conditions just aren't there.
Later in the second week, around the 17th and 18th, the swell actually bumps up again, but it's coming from the east with a strong onshore wind. It's just going to be a windy, walled-up mess. For a spot like Makapu'u, a beach and reef setup, this looks way more interesting for the kite surfers than for us paddle surfers.
So, keep your boards in the car, but honestly, unless you're a glutton for punishment, there's not much to get excited about. It can't stay this poor forever, and the long-range charts are always changing. We'll just have to wait for the trade winds to ease off. Hang loose.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue morning, calm by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1094 | 759 | 419 | 269 | 257 | 273 | 261 | 240 | 168 | 380 | 343 | 260 | 160 | 123 | 108 | 94 | 107 | 93 | 84 | 80 | 171 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:44PM0.70m | 1:12AM0.41m | 2:10PM0.68m | 1:57AM0.46m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:07PM0.17m | 7:05AM-0.01m | 8:24PM0.14m | 7:47AM0.03m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SW 21 |
| kJ | 973 | 759 | 419 | 207 | 140 | 273 | 261 | 101 | 123 | 380 | 343 | 260 | 160 | 123 | 108 | 58 | 58 | 93 | 84 | 80 | 224 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 22 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 533 | 376 | 146 | 269 | 257 | 202 | 141 | 129 | 268 | 261 | 229 | 226 | 70 | 96 | 94 | 94 | 107 | 38 | 50 | 227 | 68 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | W 8 | SSW 14 | E 13 | E 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 23 | SW 14 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 474 | 107 | 356 | 219 | 215 | 195 | 133 | 155 | 77 | 25 | 48 | 30 | 242 | 124 | 68 | 107 | 84 | 54 | 86 | 49 | 50 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | E 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 1094 | 524 | — | — | — | — | — | 240 | 168 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 36 | 27 | 28 | 171 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 125 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 17 | 8 | 49 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 31 | 42 | 18 | 18 | 47 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
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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