Is Makaha Beach safe to swim?

Makaha Beach has a Moderate-Low baseline bacteria risk rating (2 out of 5), but live DOH advisories override that baseline. If the status card on this page or the Oahu list shows a brown water, high bacteria, or sewage advisory for Makaha or the Waianae Coast, treat current water quality as affected. Surf can also be severe, especially during winter months when Makaha produces some of the biggest waves on Oahu.

Why is Makaha Beach famous?

Makaha Beach is one of Hawaii's most legendary surf breaks, known for massive winter swells and the annual Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic. The beach has deep cultural significance in Hawaiian surfing history. During summer, the water is often calm enough for swimming and snorkeling.

What is the water quality like at Makaha Beach?

In dry, no-advisory periods, Makaha's open ocean exposure can provide strong flushing and its long-term baseline risk is lower than many urban Honolulu beaches. That baseline is not a current test result. After heavy rain or during a brown water advisory, runoff can affect Makaha and nearby Waianae Coast beaches.

When is the best time to swim at Makaha Beach?

Summer months (May through September) offer the calmest conditions for swimming at Makaha. Winter brings large, powerful surf that makes the water extremely dangerous for non-surfers. For water quality, visit during dry weather and wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain before entering the water.

Is Makaha Beach crowded with tourists?

No. Makaha Beach sees far less tourist traffic than beaches on the North Shore, Waikiki, or East Side. It is primarily a local beach on the Leeward Coast, about 45 minutes from Waikiki. This means the beach is often less crowded, but visitors should be respectful of the local community.

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OAHU · LEEWARD COAST

Makaha Beach

Water quality status and bacteria risk rating

📍 Leeward Oʻahu, Waianae Coast

Checking live advisories…

30-Day Water Quality History

15/30 days under DOH advisory · 15 days clean

Apr 15 today (May 15)

2 Brown Water Advisories

Trend: ▼ improving

clean Brown Water Advisory Beach Advisory (bacteria)

Historical Pattern · 3-year monthly

Historically cleanest in June (100% clean) and most advisoried in April (68% clean). Current 30-day window is tracking above typical May advisory frequency.

Source: Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch · Updated 2026-05-15

⚠

If It Looks Brown, Don't Swim

Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky, even if no advisory is posted. Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories — not every beach is monitored. After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours and until the water clears before swimming.

Learn more about brown water advisories →

Baseline Bacteria Risk (When No Advisory Is Active)

⚠ Baseline rating only — this does not override the live DOH advisory above or the 30-day advisory history. When the status card shows a Brown Water Advisory, treat Makaha as currently affected even if its long-term baseline rating is lower risk. Always check the water yourself and avoid brown or murky water.

Moderate-Low Baseline Risk 2 / 5

In dry windows with no active advisory, Makaha Beach has a lower long-term bacteria baseline than many urban Honolulu beaches thanks to open ocean exposure and less nearby development. The Leeward Coast is one of the driest parts of Oʻahu, which can reduce how often runoff events carry bacteria into the water.

Outside water-quality advisories, Makaha's other major hazard is surf. This is one of Oʻahu's most powerful wave breaks, especially during winter months when massive swells make the water extremely dangerous for anyone other than experienced surfers. During brown-water advisories, runoff and possible bacteria exposure also matter.

Based on: DOH beach monitoring, open ocean exposure, low development density, Leeward Coast rainfall patterns

⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

The Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. While Makaha is on the dry Leeward side and rain events are less frequent, runoff can still carry bacteria. Always check the water visually before entering.

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Makaha Beach Water Quality by Month

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⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe.

Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.

This site is a work in progress and we want to make it better. If you notice something that isn't working right, have a suggestion, or want to share local knowledge about a beach, please reach out.

This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.

When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙