Overview
Makapu'u sits in the cove on the north side of Makapu'u Point, below the lighthouse that marks the easternmost tip of Oahu. It's best known as a bodysurfing and bodyboarding spot: a very hollow, heavy, and shallow shorebreak that can be genuinely dangerous. Surfers head instead to Suicides, off the point at the northern end of the beach in front of Sea Life Park, where a racey, hollow right peels over shallow rock and reef. The bay itself breaks over sand, while Suicides works over rock and reef. The setting is pristine, though the reef break is more fun than world-class.
When It Works
There's almost always something to ride here thanks to the year-round easterly tradeswell, and the spot stays consistent through every season. It draws swell from north-northeast to east and comes alive best on northeast to east swells, with winter the standout as northerly swells open up. It's usable from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, ranging from chest high to well overhead. Depending on the day you'll find rights and lefts across the beach, reef, and point.
Wind and Tide
The cleanest conditions come with calm or offshore wind anywhere from south through west, with southwest (SW) straight offshore; passing winter fronts also deliver offshore spells. The workable wind window runs from south through west-southwest to west-northwest, and early mornings can be clean on lighter trade-wind days. It breaks across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide the better call.
Local Tips
Bring a shortboard, bodyboard, skimboard, or just your fins for the shorepound. It suits intermediate and expert surfers, in part because the reef and sand run very shallow and strong currents and a heavy shorepound are constant hazards. The lineup is usually fairly quiet and can feel a little reserved, though the reef break gets busier when it's working and the wind turns offshore. Keep it mellow and it stays that way.
Access
Getting in is easy: a paved road leads right to Makapu'u Beach Park, with plenty of parking.
