Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
26.4° 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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, E swell with 450 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with E 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 (Jul 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 15s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 20th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Mon 20th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sat 18th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I gotta be straight with you — the surf outlook for Hakalau, that river mouth break on the Big Island, is a long, slow burn. We're not talking about a tropical pipe dream here; it's a waiting game with a payoff way down the line.

Right now, through the rest of July and into the first week of August, the conditions are just not cooperating. The predominant wind is a stubborn cross-onshore breeze, and the swell is weak, hanging around the 3 ft to 6 ft range with a short, unappealing period of 6 to 8 seconds. The wave energy is moderate at best, topping out around 480 (moderate wave energy). For a spot that needs a clean east-northeast direction to look its best, the wind is just ruining any chance of a decent wave. The water temp is a pleasant 80°, which is about average for this time of year, but that doesn't help the surf. Honestly, for the first ten days, it's a write-off. The setup is so choppy and weak that it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Finally, around the 26th of July, we start to see a shift. The swell picks up, and the period gets long. By the morning of the 27th, the data shows a 5 ft swell from the east with a very long 16-second period, packing a punch, with the combined energy jumping to 1073 (strong wave energy). That's a proper groundswell. The wind is light and offshore for the morning, which is a major positive. This is the standout. Hakalau, being a river mouth setup, is actually a good spot for a long-period swell like this, as it can focus the energy. The waves will have some real power, but heads up, with that 5 ft size and the long period, it's not a beginner's wave anymore. It's more for the experienced crew who can handle the extra push and the longer lulls between sets. The afternoon gets a bit bumpy with a cross-onshore, but that morning window on the 27th is the best on offer.

The following days, the 28th and 29th, hold decent but smaller energy, with clean morning winds and a solid east-northeast swell direction. The wave energy is still strong, around 500-541, and the period drops to a respectable 12-13 seconds. It's a good run, but the 27th morning is the clear winner.

So, to sum it up: don't expect much for the next week and a half. The real action is the morning of the 27th of July. That's the one to circle. It's a bit of a wait, but the long-range forecast suggests it could be worth it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
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
E
8
1
NNE
8
1
NNE
8
1.1
NE
7
1
NE
7
0.8
E
7
1
E
6
0.9
ESE
6
1.3
E
7
1.1
ESE
7
1.2
ESE
8
1.5
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.8
E
8
1.8
E
8
1.6
E
8
1.4
E
8
1.2
E
8
1
E
8
0.9
ESE
7
1.4
ENE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
116
107
107
112
93
65
71
52
144
121
155
294
309
450
448
339
253
169
115
89
168
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
10
E
10
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
20
ESE
20
E
15
ESE
15
E
15
E
15
ESE
15
ESE
20
E
5
SE
10
ENE
15
ENE
5
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
0
ESE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
glassy
High Tide
3:45PM1.13m
3:13AM0.57m
4:23PM1.10m
4:04AM0.59m
4:58PM1.04m
4:56AM0.61m
5:30PM0.96m
5:52AM0.62m
5:58PM0.87m
6:55AM0.63m
6:23PM0.77m
8:11AM0.65m
6:42PM0.68m
Low Tide
8:24AM-0.03m
10:30PM0.27m
9:10AM-0.00m
11:06PM0.25m
9:54AM0.06m
11:40PM0.24m
10:38AM0.16m
00:14AM0.23m
11:23AM0.27m
00:47AM0.22m
12:12PM0.39m
1:22AM0.22m
1:16PM0.49m
2:01AM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:48
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:02
7:02
7:01
7:01
7:01
7:01
7:00
 mm
1
1
5
2
3
4
1
Temp °C
25
25
25
25
26
25
26
26
25
26
26
25
26
26
25
25
25
25
25
25
24
Feels °C
27
27
27
25
26
26
26
27
26
27
27
27
27
26
26
27
27
27
26
26
26
  • 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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