Swell Intel

Makaha Surf Forecast, Oahu

Oahu

Hali'ewa7-8ftPipeline4-5ftSunset Beach5-6ft
Makaha surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
10.95s
Wind
15mph
NE / Gusts 18mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.3ft @ 11sS
Secondary
0.8ft @ 12sNW
Wind Swell
6.8ft @ 11sNNE

Nearest Webcam

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 311-2ft
Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
Poor

Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 11mph from the ENE.

6am9am12pm3pm
11s NE|4-11mph ENE
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
Poor

Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 9mph ENE winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
12s S|7-9mph ENE
Sign up to unlockFree — no credit card
Sat

Forecast Charts

Makaha Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
W
Best Wind
E
Season
Winter

Makaha is Oahu's premier big wave beach break, located on the leeward west coast and exposed to powerful winter North Pacific swells that can reach epic proportions. The sandy bottom and consistent shape make it a mellow summer alternative when smaller swells wrap around from other directions, though winter is when this spot truly shines with hollow, well-defined waves. The break's sheltered position from trade winds and natural amphitheater setting create ideal conditions for both powerful barrel sections and long, peeling walls.

Powerful currentsStrong rip currents in winterLocalismShallow sections

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Makaha Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Makaha?
The current wave height at Makaha is 1-2ft with a 10.95s swell period. Wind is NE at 15mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Makaha surf forecast?
Our Makaha forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends.
What is the breaking wave height at Makaha?
The current breaking wave height at Makaha is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.3ft S primary swell at 11s, a 0.8ft NW secondary swell at 12s, a 6.8ft NNE wind swell swell at 11s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf Makaha?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Makaha is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 10.9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.