Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
27.3°C
0.7° 

Hakalau surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Hakalau surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, ENE swell with 1,864 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period with ENE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hakalau this week:

The surf forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 5th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 5th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 13s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 6th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cookin’ at Hakalau. It’s a river mouth setup, exposed to the ENE, and it’s fairly consistent, but don’t get your hopes up too high just yet. The first few days are a write-off, so we’re looking at a bit of a wait for anything decent.

Right now, starting Tuesday the 1st of September, it’s pretty grim. We’ve got onshore winds and rain showers kicking up a messy 6 ft NE windswell with a short, weak 8-second period. The combined energy is a weak 499. The water’s warm at 81°, which is about average for this time of year, but that’s about the only nice thing going for it. The whole first half of the week is just poor surf conditions with cross-onshore winds.

Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are similar stories, with the swell getting a bit bigger but staying choppy and messy. The wind is cross-onshore, keeping the surface blown out. We’re looking at 6 ft to 6 ft of windswell, but the quality just isn’t there. The energy picks up a bit to moderate levels on Wednesday afternoon (1079), but the wind is still a problem.

Now, Friday the 4th things start to get interesting. We see a pulse of groundswell coming in from the E. The swell is a solid 7 ft with a 14-second period, which is a long-period groundswell. The energy jumps to a strong 1736. The wind lays down to a light breeze, going offshore in the afternoon. This is where you want to be paying attention. The water is still warm, and that long period means the waves will have some real punch and shape, though it might be a bit straight for the river mouth. Still, it’s the first real glimmer of hope.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are the standouts. Saturday morning is clean with light offshore winds from the E, and a 7 ft swell from the ENE with a 13-second period. The energy is a strong 1320. By Saturday afternoon, it bumps up to 7 ft with a 14-second period and energy hitting 1800. The wind is light and offshore from the NE. This is the best on offer. The waves will be clean, powerful, and have some size. Keep in mind, at over 7 ft, this is starting to get a bit too big for beginners. The long period will also mean longer waits between sets, but it’ll make paddling out easier. It’s not crowded often, but on a day like this, expect some company.

Sunday the 6th stays solid, with 8 ft to 8 ft swell and a 12-second period, and light offshore winds. The energy is still strong (1540-1611). Monday the 7th keeps the same vibe, with 8 ft swell and offshore winds, though the wind shifts a touch cross-onshore in the afternoon. The energy is still around 1472. This stretch from Friday afternoon through Monday is the window.

Then, Tuesday the 8th of September, it all drops off a cliff. The energy plummets, the swell goes to mush, and the wind turns cross-onshore again. The rest of the second week is a sad story of small, weak, or messy surf. There are a few moments around the 16th of September where a 4 ft to 4 ft swell with a 13-second period shows up, but the energy is low and the wind is mostly cross-onshore. It’s a long dry spell.

So, to wrap it up: sit tight through the first half of the week. Your best bet is Friday afternoon, the 4th, through Monday the 7th. Saturday the 5th is the real gem. After that, it’s back to waiting.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
2
2
4
2
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
ENE
8
1.7
ENE
8
1.8
ENE
8
1.7
ESE
11
1.6
SE
10
1.9
ENE
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.1
E
14
2.1
E
14
2
E
13
1.9
ENE
13
2
ENE
13
2.2
ENE
14
2.4
ENE
13
2.3
ENE
12
2.4
ENE
12
2.4
ENE
13
2.3
ENE
12
2.3
ENE
12
1.9
ENE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
444
365
402
657
549
427
421
424
432
1705
1440
1269
1259
1730
1864
1493
1569
1828
1522
1425
755
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
10
ENE
20
ESE
20
E
15
ESE
15
E
25
E
15
E
20
E
15
E
10
E
5
SSE
10
E
10
NE
0
NE
10
NE
10
NE
5
NE
10
ENE
5
E
15
SE
Wind State
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:48PM0.69m
6:40AM0.80m
5:04PM0.62m
8:05AM0.79m
4:48PM0.54m
9:58AM0.81m
11:26AM0.87m
10:20PM0.42m
12:22PM0.94m
11:59PM0.48m
1:05PM0.99m
00:55AM0.57m
Low Tide
11:32AM0.40m
11:27PM0.12m
12:38PM0.49m
00:07AM0.15m
3:14PM0.54m
1:05AM0.18m
2:41AM0.20m
7:30PM0.39m
4:27AM0.19m
7:35PM0.33m
5:44AM0.15m
7:54PM0.28m
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:35
6:35
6:34
6:32
6:31
6:30
6:30
 mm
3
10
4
1
3
2
1
2
1
2
Temp °C
26
26
26
26
26
26
25
25
25
25
25
25
26
26
25
26
26
26
26
26
26
Feels °C
29
28
29
28
27
28
26
25
27
26
26
27
28
29
29
29
29
30
29
30
30
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Hakalau Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Hakalau provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hakalau can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hakalau surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Hakalau) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Hakalau may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Hakalau is 21 km (13 miles) from Hilo. If you plan a vacation in Big Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hilo. Hilo has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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