
Surf Forecasts:
Makapu'u surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, ENE swell with 1,173 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 5PM. 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 | 5PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makapu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’. I gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days at Makapu'u are a real mixed bag, and not in a good way. The pattern is dominated by strong, onshore trades that are gonna mess up just about everything. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions, so don’t get your hopes up too early.
The window opens on Saturday, 1st August, but it’s a tough one. Makapu'u (reef) is seeing a solid 12 ft of east swell, but it’s coming in with a short, choppy 8-second period. The wind is howling onshore from the ENE at 28 mph. The combined wave energy is strong, way up around (1657), but it’s all just wind-blown mess. The water temp is bang on average for the time of year at 80°, but that’s small comfort when you’re getting blasted. This is strictly for the experts or the kamikazes – beginners should stay well clear of anything over 5 ft, and this is way over 8 ft.
Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd are more of the same grim story. Swell drops a bit, but those easterly winds are still relentless at 22-25 mph. The surf stays poor. Even when the swell period stretches out to 11 seconds on Tuesday the 4th, the wind is still on it, and the energy is moderate (731). It’s just not clean.
The whole first week is a write-off. We get a brief break in the swell size around the 6th and 7th, but it’s still windy and the quality is zero. There’s a hint of a longer-period south swell trying to sneak in around the 10th of August, with periods up to 16 seconds, but the swell height is tiny (2 ft to 3 ft) and the wind is still onshore. It’s a tease.
The best looking window, and I mean the only one that might get a pulse going, is around Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th. A solid south groundswell shows up with a very long period of 17 seconds and a moderate 4 ft to 4 ft height. The combined energy jumps to strong levels (1089-1179). That’s the kind of period that can wrap around a reef and give you some proper lines. But here’s the kicker – the wind is still blowing onshore from the ENE at 19-25 mph. It’s a real shame. If that wind could just swing offshore or go light, this would be a standout. As it is, it’s a promising but uncertain prospect for the more experienced crew who know how to handle a bumpy face.
The final weekend, the 15th and 16th, sees the east swell pump back up to 8 ft - 10 ft, but again, those strong onshore trades are back with a vengeance at 25-28 mph. It’s big, but it’s just a brutal, wind-swept mess. Honestly, for the whole 16 days, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The consistent onshore flow and decent swell size will give kiters something to play with, but for us on a surfboard, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
Keep an eye on that south swell on the 12th, but don’t book the time off work just yet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Sat night, light winds from the NE by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Tue afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1173 | 1098 | 801 | 682 | 612 | 412 | 339 | 770 | 655 | 496 | 502 | 312 | 237 | 172 | 153 | 81 | 172 | 77 | 121 | 377 | |
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 | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 4:44PM0.61m | 4:42AM0.37m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:22PM0.13m | 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 | — | — | |
7:08 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 | SW 14 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
257 | 249 | 242 | 189 | 125 | 119 | 106 | 48 | 655 | 496 | 502 | 312 | 237 | 172 | 82 | 55 | 102 | 22 | 73 | 75 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 9 | ENE 8 | S 11 | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SSW 19 |
123 | 131 | 133 | 68 | 40 | 33 | 50 | 13 | 46 | 51 | 47 | 47 | 88 | 82 | 16 | 56 | 38 | 77 | 100 | 148 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | N 9 | N 9 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 14 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 11 | S 11 |
39 | 22 | 15 | 14 | 58 | 42 | 42 | 16 | 26 | 38 | 57 | 61 | 38 | 49 | 26 | 81 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | NE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | E 7 |
1173 | 1098 | 801 | 682 | 612 | 412 | 339 | 770 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 153 | 23 | 172 | 48 | 121 | 377 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 132 | 60 | 58 | 113 | 140 | 51 | 18 | 51 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 |
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.











