Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with 532 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore 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 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s talk surf. Rusty here, and I’ve gotta say, this stretch of coast is pretty flat for the next couple of weeks. The only spot that’s in the picture is Hakalau, a river mouth break that’s fairly consistent, but it’s not doing us any favors.
The water is sitting at about 82°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be fine in boardies or a shorty.
The first glimpse of anything rideable comes on Saturday, 29 August, in the morning. We’re looking at a 5ft swell from the ENE with a short 7-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 530. The wind is onshore, and conditions are marginal with rain showers. It’s not great.
The rest of the first week stays small and messy. On Sunday, 30 August, in the afternoon, the wind lightens up from the east, but the swell is only 4ft from the east, still with a short 7-second period, and energy is low at 233. Still marginal.
The best of a weak bunch might be Wednesday, 2 September, in the morning. Swell pushes to 6ft from the ENE, period still short at 8 seconds, but the combined energy is strong at 613. The wind is offshore from the NE, but the conditions are still only marginal. For a river mouth, a short period swell like this doesn’t do much for the shape.
The following days into early September are the same story—small, short-period swells, mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds, and poor surf. By Thursday, 10 September, the wind really cranks up from the ENE at 22 mph, and while the swell period stretches to 12 seconds, the energy is strong at 630, but the wind and conditions make it a write-off. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Bottom line: there are no standout sessions in the whole 16-day window. It’s a dry run, and with the break being fairly consistent, that’s a bit of a bummer. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d leave the board at home and wait for better days.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 125 | 181 | 178 | 161 | 159 | 161 | 153 | 173 | 220 | 200 | 191 | 198 | 135 | 90 | 291 | 298 | 383 | 374 | 372 | 464 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 4:27PM0.77m | 5:40AM0.81m | 4:48PM0.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:43AM0.31m | 10:56PM0.12m | 11:32AM0.40m | 11:27PM0.12m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — |
mm | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ESE 9 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 125 | 33 | 178 | 161 | 159 | 150 | 94 | 74 | 94 | 200 | 191 | 198 | 135 | 90 | 291 | 298 | 383 | 374 | 372 | 186 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | E 16 | E 15 | NE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | NNE 6 | ESE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | E 15 | E 15 | E 8 |
| kJ | 52 | 62 | 96 | 46 | 80 | 161 | 49 | 89 | 70 | 144 | 94 | 61 | 44 | 60 | 42 | 43 | 8 | 17 | 38 | 190 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | S 16 | N 7 | E 14 | E 13 | E 12 | S 13 | S 12 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 9 | E 14 |
| kJ | 67 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 78 | 8 | 153 | 173 | 146 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 54 | 49 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 57 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 |
| kJ | — | 181 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 220 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 464 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 158 | 95 | 158 | 158 | 20 | 158 | 95 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 96 | 0 | 98 | 95 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
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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