Makapu'u Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it's Rusty here. Let's look at what's on the cards for the Oahu south shore, specifically at Makapu'u.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—this is a tough stretch. The next two weeks are looking pretty bleak for a proper paddle session at Makapu'u. The wind is relentless, hammering out of the ENE almost constantly, and that's a full-on onshore wind for this spot. For the first week and a half, from Friday the 21st of August right through to the end of the month, it's just a grind of poor surf conditions. The wind is a solid 19 to 28 mph onshore, and the swell is a jumbled mess of short-period, 7-second windswell. Even though the wave energy is moderate at times (around 127 to 635), it's just not going to be clean. It's the kind of setup that looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

There is a glimmer of something more interesting in the longer range, but it's a real caveat emptor situation. On the 31st of August, a much bigger, longer-period swell from the ENE arrives. We're talking 8 to 8 ft at 12 seconds, with very strong wave energy (1552 to 1491). That's a huge amount of power. But that onshore wind is still there, howling at 19-25 mph. For a spot like Makapu'u, a reef break that is already exposed, that combination of size and onshore wind will be a washing machine. It's only for experts who know the place inside out, and even then, it's a gamble.

The best chance of anything clean comes a little later, on the 3rd of September. We get a shift in the wind. Thursday morning and afternoon sees a light S wind at 9 mph, giving us a cross-offshore flow. The swell drops right down to 3 ft from the S with a long 14-second period, producing moderate wave energy (527 to 343). The notes say "clean" and "expect good surf conditions." This is the standout. It's not big, but it will be the most surfable it gets. The water temp is sitting at a normal 80°F for this time of year, so no surprises there.

So, to sum it up: don't waste your energy on the first week and a half. For the 3rd of September, clear your schedule for a small, clean session on the long-period groundswell. That's the one. Keep your eyes on the forecast, because it can't stay this poor for the whole summer.

Rusty.

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