Oahu
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Makaha for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with 7mph from the ENE.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 9mph E winds.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 19s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2ft waves, moderate ENE wind around 10mph, poor - fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 19s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the ENE.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on NE swell at 11s with gentle ENE breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
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 14.3s swell period. Wind is ENE at 4mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. 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 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1.4ft SSE secondary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft SSW tertiary swell at 10s, a 2.5ft NNE wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 14.2s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
