Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
27.1°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 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with 1,178 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. 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 18s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 27th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 27th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Most Powerful11PM (Sat 22nd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, the first week is a total washout. From Saturday the 22nd right through the end of the month, we’ve got a long stretch of poor surf – the onshore winds are relentless, mostly from the east and southeast, with a moderate breeze just tearing everything up. The swell is there, but it’s short-period stuff, between 7 and 9 seconds, and the combined energy (between 162 and 939) is a moderate to strong amount of churn, but it’s all wind-slop, not proper surf. The wind is cross-on or on, and conditions are choppy. For a beginner, anything over 4.9 ft is a bit much, and we’ve got waves up to 7.5 ft on Sunday the 23rd, but it’s all junk. There’s a solid 9-day gap of no real recommendations here.

Then we get a flicker of hope at the end of the month. Friday the 28th of August, the swell period jumps way up to 17 seconds, so we’re talking a proper groundswell. The wave height drops to 2.6 ft, but the combined energy is still decent (511). The wind is cross-on, though, so it’s still a bit choppy. The real magic might be on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. On Saturday morning, we get clean easterly swell from the ENE at 3.9 ft with a long 14-second period, and the wind is light and onshore, maybe glassy early. The combined energy is 753 – that’s solid for a clean day. The swell direction (E) is a bit off Hakalau’s optimum (ENE), but with that long period, it’s worth a look. Don’t get too excited about the beach – that long period will make it break straight at a beach break, so it’s better suited for a point or reef. But if you’re an intermediate, this could be the standout. The water temp anomaly is average for the time of year, so no wetsuit worries.

That Friday the 28th through Sunday the 30th is the best on offer, but it’s marginal, not a classic. Monday the 31st starts to get a bit bigger (4.9 ft) with a consistent 11-second period, but the wind is cross-on again, so it’s a gamble. For the first week of September, it’s back to poor conditions – onshore winds, short period, and choppy. The combined energy drops off, and the swell gets messy. The 3rd and 4th of September have 5.6 ft to 6.2 ft easterly swell, but it’s all short-period, cross-on slop. Not worth paddling out for.

Bottom line: the first week is a total blown-out mess. The one honest window is the last weekend of August, with a long-period swell that could clean up in the morning. After that, it’s back to being poor. For a river mouth like Hakalau, the long period might actually help shape it up, but with the wind being a bit off, it’s a gamble. Crowds are possible here, so keep that in mind.

Stay stoked, but don’t expect much.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 46mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Fri night, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
E
8
1.7
ESE
9
2.1
E
9
2.5
ESE
10
2.3
E
9
2.1
E
9
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.7
E
8
1.7
E
8
1.6
E
8
1.4
E
8
1.2
ENE
7
1.4
E
7
1.2
E
7
1.2
E
7
1.2
E
7
0.6
E
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
377
408
723
1132
904
683
512
481
488
386
363
307
221
156
209
156
150
134
214
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
20
E
20
E
15
ESE
20
E
20
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
20
ESE
15
ESE
20
E
15
E
15
ENE
10
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
10
E
15
E
5
NE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
12:41PM0.82m
11:36PM0.43m
1:15PM0.88m
00:32AM0.48m
1:44PM0.92m
1:11AM0.53m
2:10PM0.96m
1:46AM0.59m
2:34PM0.97m
2:21AM0.65m
2:57PM0.97m
2:56AM0.70m
Low Tide
4:18AM0.26m
8:21PM0.39m
5:31AM0.21m
8:20PM0.36m
6:22AM0.17m
8:30PM0.32m
7:02AM0.13m
8:46PM0.29m
7:39AM0.11m
9:03PM0.25m
8:13AM0.11m
9:22PM0.21m
clear
clear
thunderstorm
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:44
6:44
6:43
6:42
6:40
6:39
6:39
 mm
2
4
10
13
9
3
5
3
2
1
1
Temp °C
27
27
27
27
25
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
25
26
25
25
25
25
Feels °C
29
29
29
29
26
28
27
28
27
28
28
27
29
26
27
27
28
26
27
  • 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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