Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
27.3°C
0.6° 

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


Hakalau surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, ENE swell with 741 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 14s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sat 12th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 12th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Most Powerful 5AM (Thu 17th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight up with you, this is a tough stretch. We're looking at a long gap with nothing worth paddling out for. The options are limited, and honestly, the quality just isn't there for a proper surf session. The first decent chance we get won't be until the middle of the second week, and even then, it's a gamble.

We've got a big dry spell from now until late in the forecast period. The winds are mostly cross-on or onshore, keeping things bumpy and messy. There are a few days where the swell size bumps up (combined energy hitting 907 on the 16th), but the period is short and the wind is junk, so it's not doing us any favours.

Hakalau (Big Island) is the only spot on the radar, and it’s a river mouth that’s fairly consistent, but the crowds can be a problem sometimes. The water temp is sitting at a very warm 81°, which is about normal for this time of year, so at least you won't need a thick wetsuit.

The only time things look like they might come together is around Wednesday the 23rd of September. Both the morning and afternoon have swell around 7ft to 7ft from the east, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind turns light, with the morning being clean offshore from the NE at only 3 mph and the afternoon glassing off more. This is a solid, albeit short-period, groundswell (combined energy of 800 and 744 respectively). For a river mouth, that east swell direction is right in its sweet spot. This is really the only standout window in the whole 16 days, but keep in mind, at this size it's pushing into expert territory – it'll be a big, powerful wave.

The days before that are a write-off, and after the 23rd, the wind picks right back up into the 12 mph range, ruining any chance of clean surf. Honestly, if you're not an experienced surfer, this 16-day run is looking pretty bleak for getting wet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
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
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
ENE
11
1
ENE
11
0.9
ENE
10
0.8
ENE
10
0.8
NNE
9
0.9
NNE
9
0.9
NNE
9
0.9
NNE
9
0.9
NE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.6
E
11
0.9
ESE
8
1.3
E
10
1.4
E
8
2
ENE
8
2.1
ENE
9
2.1
ENE
9
2
ENE
8
1.7
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
297
240
169
123
94
119
119
121
102
88
86
78
89
99
305
253
497
662
645
547
393
Wind (km/h)
10
E
10
ENE
5
E
10
E
10
ENE
10
ENE
10
ENE
10
NNE
5
N
10
NE
10
NNE
5
SE
15
ESE
10
E
5
ESE
15
E
15
E
15
E
15
ESE
20
ESE
20
SE
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:08PM0.91m
3:37AM0.85m
3:32PM0.84m
4:14AM0.87m
3:53PM0.76m
4:51AM0.86m
4:11PM0.69m
5:32AM0.83m
4:23PM0.62m
6:19AM0.78m
4:21PM0.56m
7:27AM0.73m
Low Tide
8:55AM0.16m
9:26PM0.12m
9:35AM0.22m
9:48PM0.11m
10:14AM0.28m
10:11PM0.11m
10:54AM0.36m
10:33PM0.13m
11:37AM0.43m
10:56PM0.16m
12:34PM0.50m
11:23PM0.20m
11:57PM0.25m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:25
6:25
6:24
6:23
6:22
6:22
6:21
 mm
2
1
4
4
7
17
9
6
11
Temp °C
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
26
26
26
27
27
27
27
27
26
26
26
26
Feels °C
26
27
27
28
27
27
27
27
27
28
29
30
29
29
31
30
30
29
29
28
28
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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