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.
Wed, Jun 24: 1–2ft, 19s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 7mph.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2ft and poor - fair conditions with 10mph from the E.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on NNE swell at 8s.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 20s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 9mph from the ENE.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–2ft, 20s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2ft on NE swell at 8s with moderate E wind around 9mph. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
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 1ft with a 17.7s swell period. Wind is ENE at 13mph 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 1ft, produced by a 1.2ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 1.2ft S secondary swell at 16s, a 1ft S tertiary swell at 18s, a 3.3ft NNE wind swell swell at 8s. 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 Wednesday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 2ft waves, a 17.7s 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.
