
Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with 866 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 0.5m 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – this forecast window for our local stretch is a long, flat, blown-out dud. There's not a single decent surf option on the cards for the entire sixteen days. It's a tough one, but sometimes that's just how it goes.
The water's sitting at a pretty toasty 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
We start off with a fairly consistent, but exposed, advanced reef break called Makapu'u. The swell direction is mostly from the ENE, which is the complete opposite of the optimum ESE direction. The problem is relentless onshore wind. From Sunday the 2nd of August right through to Monday the 17th of August, every single session is plagued by moderate to strong onshore ENE winds. The wind is hammering that exposed east-facing coast, and the wave period is mostly short, around 7 to 8 seconds, so there's no power or shape to the swell. The swell heights bounce around a bit, hitting 8 ft on the 2nd, but with that onshore wind and short period, it's just a messy, choppy, stormy mess – not worth paddling out for. The combined energy is moderate, peaking at 1138 on the 2nd, but it's all useless energy with those wind conditions.
There's a slight shift in swell direction around the 10th of August, with some longer-period groundswell from the S and SSW, with periods up to 20 seconds. The combined energy gets up to a strong 1044 on the 12th, but we're still looking at waist-high, 3 ft to 4 ft waves. Frustratingly, the wind stays pinned onshore from the ENE, turning what could be a decent long-period groundswell into a blown-out, bumpy mess. The energy is there, but the conditions just aren't.
For the kite surfers out there, this set-up is actually looking more interesting than for paddle surfing. With that consistent strong onshore flow and moderate swell, it's a solid wind window for a session. But for a clean surf, this is a total write-off. We've got a long gap with no recommendations, and the lack of any consistent, clean breaks means it's a proper blank run for the area. Let's hope the forecasts change, but for now, keep your gear waxed and your eyes on the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sun morning, light winds from the ENE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed night, fresh winds from the ENE by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
763 | 682 | 597 | 412 | 339 | 689 | 572 | 496 | 388 | 312 | 237 | 190 | 181 | 168 | 48 | 77 | 176 | 277 | 335 | 336 | 517 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 4:58PM0.57m | 5:48AM0.38m | 5:09PM0.52m | 7:16AM0.41m | 5:14PM0.48m | 9:27AM0.45m | 4:57PM0.44m | 11:19AM0.53m | 12:18PM0.61m | 1:01PM0.68m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:12AM0.11m | 11:50PM0.10m | 10:52AM0.19m | 00:22AM0.07m | 11:44AM0.27m | 1:03AM0.04m | 1:35PM0.35m | 1:59AM0.02m | 3:11AM-0.00m | 4:25AM-0.03m | |||||||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 |
242 | 189 | 125 | 119 | 106 | 689 | 572 | 496 | 388 | 312 | 237 | 190 | 181 | 81 | 37 | 21 | 71 | 75 | 164 | 155 | 99 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 11 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 11 | SSW 19 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 |
133 | 68 | 58 | 33 | 50 | 48 | 46 | 49 | 47 | 47 | 88 | 82 | 82 | 41 | 102 | 77 | 38 | 148 | 44 | 71 | 150 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | NNW 8 | SSE 11 | NE 10 | SW 20 | SSE 11 | SSW 15 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
15 | 14 | 40 | 42 | 43 | 8 | 30 | 38 | 57 | 61 | 38 | 49 | 26 | 11 | 40 | 23 | 100 | 22 | 71 | 19 | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
763 | 682 | 597 | 412 | 339 | 222 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 168 | 48 | 48 | 176 | 277 | 335 | 336 | 517 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 113 | 61 | 51 | 18 | 51 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 50 | 55 | 56 | 55 |
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.











