Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, E swell with 562 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 18s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Hakalau. I gotta be straight with you, the first bit is a bit of a grind. We're looking at a run of poor surf conditions right through the end of August and into the first week of September. The wind is mostly cross-on or onshore from the east, keeping things choppy and messy, and the swell is weak and short-period. It's a rough start.
The water temp is sitting at 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're waiting for a wave.
Now, things start to get interesting around the 3rd of September. Thursday afternoon sees a pulse of long-period groundswell, with a 4ft swell from the east-northeast at a very long 16 seconds. The combined energy jumps right up to strong (1027), a serious sign of life. The wind is light onshore, so the river mouth might be a bit of a drop-in zone, but that long period energy is going to wrap in nicely. Friday the 4th of September is the real standout. We're looking at a building swell, around 6ft to 6ft from the ENE, still with that long 13-second period. The winds are light, with a clear sky and a light breeze, making it glassy in the morning. This is the best on offer. The energy is strong (1339) and the conditions are set to be clean. This is a proper session for the intermediate crew, but with waves over 5ft, it's a bit much for beginners. Saturday the 5th still has some decent size, but the wind gets a bit more cross-on, so the quality drops off.
The second week looks a bit more mixed. The swell hangs around, but the wind is a little less reliable. A final little spike on Monday the 7th of September with 7ft to 7ft from the east, but with cross-on winds, it's going to be a bit lumpy. That's expert territory at that size.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a washout. The real window is from the 3rd to the 5th of September, with Friday the 4th being the absolute pick. The wind is light, the swell is solid, and the energy is pumping. It's a point break and river mouth setup, so that long period should wrap in nicely. I'm Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 14 | E 13 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 488 | 422 | 212 | 329 | 270 | 221 | 188 | 181 | 156 | 156 | 176 | 178 | 163 | 161 | 203 | 222 | 186 | 131 | 163 | 94 | 194 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:44PM0.92m | 1:11AM0.53m | 2:10PM0.96m | 1:46AM0.59m | 2:34PM0.97m | 2:21AM0.65m | 2:57PM0.97m | 2:56AM0.70m | 3:20PM0.95m | 3:32AM0.75m | 3:43PM0.91m | 4:10AM0.79m | 4:05PM0.84m | 4:52AM0.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:30PM0.32m | 7:02AM0.13m | 8:46PM0.29m | 7:39AM0.11m | 9:03PM0.25m | 8:13AM0.11m | 9:22PM0.21m | 8:48AM0.13m | 9:42PM0.18m | 9:24AM0.17m | 10:04PM0.15m | 10:02AM0.24m | 10:29PM0.13m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 16 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 10 |
| kJ | 29 | 14 | 212 | 329 | 270 | 221 | 188 | 181 | 156 | 156 | 46 | 178 | 163 | 102 | 79 | 106 | 124 | 131 | 163 | 94 | 194 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 12 | NW 11 | ESE 9 | SSE 12 | S 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | N 8 | S 16 | E 14 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 11 | N 6 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 6 | 5 | 207 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 33 | 32 | 45 | 45 | 5 | 78 | 64 | 68 | 81 | 72 | 62 | 48 | 89 | 31 | 53 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | NW 11 | SSE 12 | NW 10 | NW 9 | S 12 | S 21 | S 20 | S 19 | S 18 | NW 10 | E 16 | S 14 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 10 | E 11 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 19 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 35 | 67 | 62 | 96 | 4 | 42 | 37 | 157 | 203 | 222 | 146 | 101 | 18 | 59 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — | E 7 | — | — | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 488 | 422 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 176 | — | — | 161 | — | — | 186 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 158 | 18 | 20 | 158 | 160 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 158 | 20 | 0 | 158 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 95 | 122 | 95 | 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.
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