Makapu'u Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be honest right off the bat: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper surf at Makapu'u. The wind is the main culprit. We’ve got strong onshore breezes locked in for days, and that’s going to trash the face of every wave that tries to show up. It’s a real shame because there’s plenty of swell in the water, but the conditions just aren’t letting us ride it.

Starting Tuesday the 1st of September, we’ve got a solid 7 ft swell coming from the ENE, but it’s hitting a fresh 22 mph onshore wind. The wave energy is moderate (866), but it’s all blown out. That pattern holds through Wednesday and Thursday, with the swell even bumping up to 10 ft on Thursday morning. The energy is climbing into the strong range (1273), but with a strong breeze smashing it onshore, it’s just a mess. For any beginners, that 10 ft is way too big anyway, and the wind makes it a nightmare for everyone.

We get a bit of a change in the swell character on Saturday the 5th. The period jumps to 13 seconds, bringing in a groundswell from the ENE. The energy rockets up to a very strong 2025. This is proper, powerful stuff. But again, we’re looking at a fresh breeze straight on it. A long-period swell like this is best saved for a point break or reef, but even then, you need calm wind to make it work. Here, it’s just going to be a lumpy, closed-out mess. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.

There’s a tiny glimmer on Tuesday the 8th. The wind drops to a light breeze, coming from the ESE as a cross-on. The swell drops to 6 ft, and the energy is moderate (1117). The wave comment says “marginal,” and I’d agree. It’s the best we’ll see, but it’s not a standout. The morning session might offer a few cleaner ones, but it’s a gamble. If you’re desperate, you might find a couple of rides, but don’t expect much.

The week after that is a slow decline. The swell fades away, dropping to 2 ft by the 14th and 15th. The energy drops to weak (34) by Wednesday the 16th. The wind finally goes light and even cross-off on that last day, but there’s no swell to ride. The whole second week is a write-off.

So, the honest truth? There are no good surf options in this 16-day window. The only real standout is that strong groundswell on the 5th and 6th, but it’s completely ruined by the wind. For the experienced crew, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, with that consistent onshore breeze and solid swell. It’s a blank run for the wave riders. Keep an eye on the forecast, it tends not to stay this poor forever.

Rusty.

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