WHEN.SURF FORECAST Oahu South Shore

Small but rideable South Shore surf with a little long-period spice underneath the trade-swell texture. Expect mostly thigh surf with occasional waist sets at the better peaks. Light to moderate offshore flow should keep faces fairly groomed. Tide is dropping toward a low tonight, which should help keep it playful.

Dawn patrol should be fun on the small side: mostly knee to thigh, with occasional waist sets when the longer-period pulses show. Early winds look light to gentle from the east to ENE, so expect a little texture but not too much bump. Tide keeps draining toward a late-morning low, helping the small surf stay more responsive.

Midday stays small, with most spots running knee to thigh and occasional waist-ish sets if you stay patient. Trades start to show more by late morning, adding texture and making the lineup feel a little more ripply. After the late-morning low, the rising tide can soften the small surf and make sections less punchy.

Afternoon into early evening looks mellow: mainly knee to thigh surf with occasional near-waist set waves at the better magnets. The mid-afternoon high tide can make it a bit softer early in the window, then it should tighten up slightly as the tide starts to drop later. Moderate easterly trades keep it lightly bumpy.

A touch more set potential Tuesday morning with a small long-period south swell signal mixing in. Expect mostly knee to thigh surf, with occasional waist sets when the 17s energy shows. Trades are up, so it will not be glassy, but the wind angle still allows some workable faces. Low tide late morning favors the small stuff.

Trade-swell energy becomes the main story Tuesday afternoon, with the longer-period south pieces more intermittent. Most breaks run knee to thigh with occasional waist sets, but the short-period texture can make it feel less organized. Winds stay breezy and may ramp later in the day. A mid-afternoon high tide can mute the smaller lines before it drops again.