Surf Forecasts:
Ranches surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, NE swell with 182 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ranches this week:
The surf forecast for Ranches over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ranches in the next 16 days are 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ranches over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down for the imperial crew. Ranches is your spot – a reef break that needs a clean window. The swell is coming from the northeast and hits the reef square on, but the waves aren’t huge, so the paddle out is manageable. Water temp is sitting at about 82°, a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a warm bath.
From the end of August through the first few days of September, it’s pretty tame – small waves, nothing that’ll get your heart racing. The first real standout comes on Sunday, September 6th, in the morning. Swell pushes to 5ft from the northeast with a period of 8 seconds – longer period means better shape, more push. The combined energy is 246 (moderate energy). Early wind is gentle offshore from the east-northeast, so the surface is smooth. This one’s for experienced surfers; 5ft is pushing it for beginners. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, so keep that in mind.
Monday, September 7th morning brings another similar setup – 5ft NE swell, 8-second period, combined energy hits 277 (moderate energy). Wind is moderate offshore so it stays clean in the morning, but the afternoon wind picks up and messes with the surface. Again, experts only.
From the 8th to the 9th, the swell gets a bit bigger – around 5ft, period climbs to 9 seconds, and the combined energy jumps over 400 (strong wave energy). The problem is the wind – strong offshores up to 25 mph, making it a battle to get out there. The reef will be going off, but honestly, it starts to look more like a kite-surfing spot than a paddle spot for those days.
The final highlight lands on Thursday, September 10th morning. Swell shifts a bit to north-northeast at 4ft, 9-second period, and the combined energy is still solid at 406 (strong wave energy). Wind is barely a puff from the northeast, dead offshore. Clean, smooth, and lined up. That morning is your best shot at a long, memorable session. By afternoon the sea breeze rolls in and spoils it.
After that, expect cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions through to the end of the forecast. Not much to chase.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 6 | S 14 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | W 12 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 46 | 0 | 8 | 54 | 56 | 11 | 94 | 135 | 102 | 139 | 156 | 125 | 143 | 164 | 177 | 138 | 121 | 128 | 86 | 102 | 85 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:40PM0.59m | 5:07AM0.43m | 5:09PM0.54m | 5:50AM0.47m | 5:38PM0.48m | 6:38AM0.50m | 6:08PM0.41m | 7:34AM0.53m | 6:40PM0.33m | 8:41AM0.56m | 7:14PM0.25m | 9:59AM0.59m | 8:17PM0.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:04AM0.07m | 11:12PM0.07m | 10:49AM0.10m | 11:35PM0.05m | 11:40AM0.14m | 00:00AM0.05m | 12:40PM0.19m | 00:28AM0.05m | 1:58PM0.23m | 1:01AM0.05m | 3:56PM0.25m | 1:43AM0.06m | 6:40PM0.22m | 2:42AM0.08m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 16 | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 17 | NE 8 | S 16 | S 15 | NE 7 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 334 | 324 | 229 | 219 | 215 | 103 | 226 | 100 | 199 | 191 | 183 | 273 | 329 | 311 | 465 | 138 | 406 | 279 | 86 | 253 | 229 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | ESE 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 14 | S 16 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 14 | SSE 10 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 39 | 4 | 91 | 80 | 115 | 186 | 46 | 162 | 84 | 85 | 82 | 53 | 115 | 75 | 76 | 422 | 57 | 38 | 268 | 33 | 45 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 19 | NNE 6 | W 11 | E 13 | W 12 | SSE 12 | W 11 | SSW 20 | S 8 | SSW 19 | SW 13 | S 10 | SW 14 | W 11 | SSE 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | ESE 12 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 7 | 35 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 48 | 9 | 38 | 5 | 123 | 88 | 48 | 53 | 9 | 33 | 27 | 27 | 33 | 28 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | NE 7 | NE 8 | E 9 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 46 | 40 | 59 | 54 | 56 | 127 | 94 | 135 | 102 | 139 | 156 | 125 | 143 | 164 | 177 | — | 121 | 128 | 299 | 102 | 85 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 153 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ranches Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ranches provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ranches can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ranches 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 (Ranches) 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 Ranches 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.
Ranches is 22 km (14 miles) from Wahiawa. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wahiawa. Wahiawa has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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