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.
Sun, May 10: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. Morning kicks off with 3-4ft on NNW swell at 10s.
Mon, May 11: 3–4ft, 12s period, rated Fair - Good. Expect 3-4ft all day on NNW swell at 12s with 7mph from the NE — nothing amazing but surfable.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 11s period, rated Fair. 2-3ft waves to start the day on NNE swell at 7s.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on N swell at 8s with 10mph ENE winds — nothing amazing but surfable.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Good. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on NW swell at 16s with moderate ENE wind around 11mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
16s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 3-4ft with a 10.4s swell period. Wind is ENE at 8mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Makaha is 3-4ft, produced by a 3ft NNW primary swell at 10s, a 1ft SE secondary swell at 7s, a 1ft S tertiary swell at 14s, a 2.8ft NNE wind swell 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 Thursday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 5ft waves, a 15.3s swell period, and conditions rated Good. 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.
