
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, ENE swell with 719 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I gotta be straight with you. Right through the 16-day window, it’s a real struggle. The river mouth at Hakalau is the only game in town, and honestly, it’s a tough one.
We’re looking at a long, dry spell. The surf kicks off on Thursday, 30th July, but it’s not what you’d call good. The water’s sitting at 80°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
For Thursday morning, we’ve got a 4ft easterly swell with a short, weak period of 8 seconds. The wind is chewing it up from the ESE at 16 mph, making it a cross-on mess. The energy is weak, coming in at 261. Afternoon sees a bump to 5ft, but the wind eases only slightly to 12 mph, and the energy picks up to moderate (458), but it’s still poor and choppy. Not worth a paddle.
Friday, 31st July, the swell hits 6ft in the morning, building to 6ft in the afternoon, all from the east. The wind turns onshore, and the energy jumps to strong (800-823), but the onshore wind and short period mean it’s messy. The forecast calls it poor, and I’m not arguing.
Saturday, 1st August, is the biggest swell of the period, with 8ft from the ENE in the morning. The energy is very strong (979), but the wind is cross-on with rain showers, and the period is still a short 8 seconds. This is getting up there in size – over 8ft in the morning, which is expert territory. It’s not going to be pretty.
Sunday, 2nd August, things start to ease. The swell drops to 7ft, and the wind turns onshore from the ENE at 9 mph. The energy is still strong (781). The forecast calls it “marginal” – the best we’ll see, but by a slim margin. The period is still only 8 seconds, so it’s not going to have much shape.
Monday, 3rd August, is probably the best shot if you’re desperate. The swell drops to 5ft, and the wind is light from the east at 6 mph. The period stretches to 9 seconds, and the energy is moderate (510). It’s still only “marginal,” but it’s the cleanest the wind’s been all week. The morning is your best bet.
After that, it’s a grim slide. From Tuesday, 4th August, the swell drops and the wind swings back to a cross-on ESE. The period gets short again, and the energy fades. For the rest of the window, from 4th August through to the 14th, it’s consistently poor. The swell is small, mostly under 4ft, with short periods and choppy cross-on wind. There’s a gap of over a week with absolutely nothing to recommend.
The bottom line: there are no standouts here. The best of a bad bunch is Monday, 3rd August, with that light wind and a 5ft swell at Hakalau. It’s not going to be a classic, but if you’re itching for a paddle, that’s your window. Otherwise, save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
270 | 355 | 412 | 470 | 560 | 719 | 676 | 549 | 554 | 504 | 412 | 284 | 275 | 713 | 643 | 394 | 261 | 182 | 143 | 181 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:01PM0.99m | 3:44AM0.62m | 4:25PM0.97m | 4:25AM0.64m | 4:48PM0.92m | 5:09AM0.67m | 5:11PM0.86m | 6:00AM0.68m | 5:34PM0.79m | 7:04AM0.70m | 5:57PM0.70m | 8:28AM0.72m | 6:18PM0.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:34PM0.27m | 9:34AM0.12m | 10:58PM0.24m | 10:09AM0.18m | 11:22PM0.22m | 10:46AM0.26m | 11:50PM0.20m | 11:30AM0.36m | 00:21AM0.18m | 12:27PM0.45m | 1:01AM0.17m | 2:04PM0.54m | 1:54AM0.17m | |||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 17 | E 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
137 | 305 | 412 | 470 | 329 | 719 | 676 | 549 | 554 | 504 | 412 | 284 | 275 | 713 | 643 | 394 | 261 | 182 | 143 | 181 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | E 15 | E 15 | N 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | ENE 12 | SE 8 | N 11 | SE 9 | NNE 10 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | NNE 8 |
8 | 16 | 367 | 339 | 12 | 249 | 260 | 257 | 198 | 126 | 166 | 193 | 189 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 64 | 47 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | S 13 | N 9 | N 9 | SE 12 | N 8 | N 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | SE 13 | N 10 | S 13 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | S 12 |
6 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 19 | 16 | 27 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | — |
270 | 355 | — | — | 560 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | 43 | 47 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 95 | 158 | 96 | 20 | 20 | 96 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











