Oahu
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Makaha, Oahu. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle ESE breeze.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 11s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light ENE winds.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle ESE breeze.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate E wind around 7mph.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 10mph from the ENE.
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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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Makaha is 1-2ft with a 11.6s swell period. Wind is E at 5mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Makaha is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.3ft NNW primary swell at 12s, a 2.1ft NNE secondary swell at 7s, a 1.2ft SSE tertiary swell at 6s. 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Makaha is Monday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 2ft waves, a 14.25s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Makaha works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Makaha. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Makaha is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. 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.
The prime season at Makaha is winter, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Makaha include powerful currents, strong rip currents in winter, localism, shallow sections. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
