Surf Forecasts:
Ranches surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with 249 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ranches in the next 16 days are 0.6m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ranches over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at the run ahead, just one spot on the menu.
Right now, there’s nothing doing today, Monday the 17th of August. It’s flat with a tiny 3 ft NE swell but the energy is weak, only measuring 64. Wind is fine but the surf is ordinary. The next few days are pretty lackluster with small waves and mostly poor conditions. We’ve got a real quiet spell from Tuesday through to the end of the week and into the weekend with hardly anything worth paddling out for. The wait is on.
Now, Wednesday the 19th sees a blip in the morning – a glassy 2 ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. The energy jumps to 163, so there’s some push, but it’s tiny and might just be a ripple at the reef. That afternoon it goes quiet again.
The first true standout comes on Thursday morning the 20th. The swell is still small at 2 ft out of the SW, but the period is a very long 18 seconds, pushing the combined energy up to 278 (moderate). It’s glassy with no wind – dead calm. This is a reef break (Ranches) exposed to the NW, so that long-period SW groundswell will wrap in nicely. For an advanced crew, this is clean and drawn-out. Water temp is about average for this time of year.
After that, it’s back to a poor run of tiny surf and cross-onshore winds until Sunday the 23rd afternoon, when a clean 3 ft NE windswell arrives with a decent 122 energy. Monday the 24th looks similar – small but clean with a moderate offshore breeze.
A real ramp-up starts on Wednesday the 27th afternoon. The swell builds to 5 ft from the NE, period at 6 seconds, but the energy is 242 – moderate. Clean with a cross-off breeze. Then Thursday the 28th is a proper highlight: Friday morning (28th August) we have 6 ft NE swell, period 7 seconds, energy at 387 (strong!), with glassy conditions. That afternoon the swell drops slightly to 6 ft but the period lengthens to 8 seconds, and the energy jumps to 504 (strong), again glassy. This is the best on offer. For advanced surfers only at this size and with that energy – it’ll be powerful and fast. Crowds are possible at Ranches, especially when it’s this good.
Saturday the 29th afternoon keeps the fun going with a 5 ft NE swell, an 11-second period, and combined energy of 687 – very strong – with a moderate offshore wind. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st hold clean conditions as the swell backs down. Into the first week of September, it looks to drop off again.
Overall, the standout is Thursday the 28th of August, with glassy conditions and strong swell energy. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | WNW 13 | NE 7 | SW 16 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | SW 18 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
111 | 64 | 55 | 49 | 33 | 34 | 42 | 129 | 26 | 26 | 249 | 29 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 22 | 25 | 31 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 8:14AM0.46m | 7:12PM0.34m | 9:19AM0.48m | 7:36PM0.27m | 10:33AM0.50m | 11:45AM0.53m | 10:31PM0.18m | 12:45PM0.56m | 00:28AM0.18m | 1:32PM0.60m | 1:26AM0.20m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:16AM0.06m | 2:17PM0.25m | 1:45AM0.08m | 4:14PM0.27m | 2:19AM0.10m | 3:05AM0.12m | 8:45PM0.20m | 8:59PM0.17m | 5:24AM0.12m | 9:18PM0.16m | |||||||||
— | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
7:01 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | NNE 6 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
111 | 338 | 260 | 225 | 165 | 162 | 161 | 103 | 26 | 175 | 249 | 200 | 278 | 291 | 261 | 322 | 326 | 255 | 245 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | NE 7 | S 6 | SW 6 | NE 6 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | NE 6 | SSW 16 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 12 |
91 | 64 | 22 | 10 | 33 | 123 | 79 | 34 | 100 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 22 | 25 | 31 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 6 | SW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 17 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SE 8 |
239 | 35 | 10 | 5 | 115 | 34 | 28 | 129 | 45 | 45 | 39 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 15 | 13 | 70 | 50 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 7 | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 |
— | — | 55 | 49 | — | 27 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











