
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, NNE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, ENE swell with 401 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with NNE 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 (Sep 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a squiz at what’s on offer for Hakalau over the next couple of weeks.
Right up front, I gotta level with you – there’s nothing firing for the entire 16-day window. All the forecast runs are showing poor surf conditions, so don’t be in a rush to grab your board. The wind is always coming from the east or southeast, which puts a cross-onshore or onshore chop on everything at Hakalau. That wind is never light and offshore or glassy – it’s a constant battle with bumpy water.
We start off Thursday the 10th with a 5ft swell from the ENE, but that short 7-second period makes for weak, disorganised lines. The combined energy is moderate at 311, but the onshore wind from the east at 9 mph just ruins it. That carries right through the first week. Friday the 11th drops to 3ft but the period stretches to 11 seconds, which could have had some potential, but the onshore breeze from the east at 6 mph keeps it sloppy. Over the weekend and into next week, the swell hovers around 3ft to 4ft, still with that same cross-onshore wind.
There is a slight bump starting Thursday the 17th, with the swell building to 6ft from the ENE by the afternoon, and the combined energy jumps up to 492 (moderate to strong). But again, the wind is onshore or cross-onshore at 9-12 mph, and the period is only 8 seconds. The wave comment throughout is “poor surf conditions”, so it’s gonna be choppy and messy. Not one for the paddle surfer.
In the second week, from around the 18th through the 25th, we see swell sizes between 4ft and 6ft, mostly from the E or ENE, with moderate energy in the 300-500 range. But the wind never switches to clean offshore, staying cross-onshore from the ESE or E at 9-12 mph. The period hangs around 8-9 seconds.
Honestly, this stretch is a blank run. With the persistent onshore wind and short-period swell, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. It’s a tough one for the area – forecasts can change, but right now there’s nothing to get excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed night, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
177 | 198 | 139 | 401 | 249 | 240 | 169 | 123 | 119 | 121 | 135 | 145 | 102 | 149 | 125 | 84 | 94 | 94 | 220 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:20AM0.74m | 2:41PM0.97m | 2:59AM0.80m | 3:08PM0.91m | 3:37AM0.85m | 3:32PM0.84m | 4:14AM0.87m | 3:53PM0.76m | 4:51AM0.86m | 4:11PM0.69m | 5:32AM0.83m | 4:23PM0.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:40PM0.18m | 8:13AM0.12m | 9:03PM0.15m | 8:55AM0.16m | 9:26PM0.12m | 9:35AM0.22m | 9:48PM0.11m | 10:14AM0.28m | 10:11PM0.11m | 10:54AM0.36m | 10:33PM0.13m | 11:37AM0.43m | 10:56PM0.16m | ||||||
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
6:28 | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 13 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 |
177 | 198 | 139 | 401 | 249 | 240 | 169 | 123 | 119 | 121 | 135 | 145 | 102 | 149 | 125 | 84 | 94 | 94 | 220 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 11 | SE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
139 | 93 | 102 | 27 | 36 | 45 | 47 | 62 | 108 | 62 | 70 | 53 | 27 | 43 | 57 | 77 | 77 | 64 | 70 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NNW 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 8 | NW 12 | NW 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | N 10 |
35 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 10 | 9 | 60 | 28 | 13 | 37 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 22 | 37 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 20 | 95 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 112 | 112 | 14 | 72 | 72 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










