Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
27.2°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 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, ENE swell with 845 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with NE 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 (Sep 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 14s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 14th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 15th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 10s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 17th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Honestly, looking ahead for Hakalau, it's a tough run. The entire 16-day window is a real mixed bag, but if we're being straight, the best we can say is maybe keep an eye on the end of the forecast period. The early days are pretty much a write-off for anything decent.

The water temp is sitting at about 81°, which is average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Let's talk about the standout, because there really is only one window that has a pulse. Tuesday, September 22nd. The morning shows a solid 7ft swell from the East with a period of 10 seconds, pushing a strong to very strong wave energy (855). It's still a marginal call, but by the afternoon things look a touch better. The swell bumps up to 8ft from the East, the period holds at 10 seconds, and the energy jumps even higher (1050). The wind goes light from the East, which at an exposed river mouth like Hakalau is about as good as we can hope for. That afternoon session on the 22nd is our best shot. That said, it's still a "questionable tide" and a "marginal" score. We're not talking epic barrels here.

Now, a word of caution. On Thursday, September 17th, the swell pushes up to 8ft from the ENE, but it's messy. The wind is a moderate cross-onshore at 12 mph, and the energy is high (855) but the conditions are just poor. That kind of size with that wind makes it a messy, choppy mess. If you're a beginner, that's a hard pass. For the rest of the window, the wind is mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the wave quality is consistently listed as "poor" or "marginal." The swell direction is often from the ENE or E, which isn't the ideal direction (ENE) for this spot, so it's never really setting up cleanly.

For the first week, from September 13th through the 21st, the surf is either tiny, poor, or both. You'll see some small 3ft to 4ft swells, but the wind and quality just aren't there. The biggest pulse of the period after the 22nd peaks around 8ft on September 23rd, but again, it's cross-onshore and choppy. It's more of a kiteboarding setup than a day for paddling.

So here's the bottom line: If you're itching for a surf, your only realistic window is the afternoon of September 22nd and maybe the morning of the 23rd at Hakalau. It's not going to be pristine, but on paper, it's the best the 16 days have to offer. Everything else is a gamble you're likely to lose.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 46mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNE
9
0.9
NNE
9
1
NE
8
0.8
NNE
8
1.1
NE
8
0.9
NE
8
0.6
E
11
0.6
E
11
1.1
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.4
ENE
10
1.9
ENE
10
2.3
ENE
9
2.2
ENE
9
2.1
E
9
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.8
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
119
121
138
88
165
99
89
84
249
339
394
644
845
724
668
501
493
505
512
512
459
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
10
NNE
0
NNW
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
ESE
15
ESE
10
E
0
NNE
15
ENE
15
NE
10
NE
15
SE
20
ESE
15
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:53PM0.76m
4:51AM0.86m
4:11PM0.69m
5:32AM0.83m
4:23PM0.62m
6:19AM0.78m
4:21PM0.56m
7:27AM0.73m
9:21AM0.71m
11:04AM0.75m
9:50PM0.38m
Low Tide
10:14AM0.28m
10:11PM0.11m
10:54AM0.36m
10:33PM0.13m
11:37AM0.43m
10:56PM0.16m
12:34PM0.50m
11:23PM0.20m
11:57PM0.25m
1:07AM0.29m
8:43PM0.38m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:24
6:23
6:22
6:22
6:21
6:20
6:19
 mm
1
2
1
2
3
16
6
6
11
1
1
3
Temp °C
25
25
25
26
26
26
27
27
27
27
27
26
26
27
26
26
27
26
26
27
26
Feels °C
27
27
28
29
29
30
29
29
31
30
30
29
30
29
27
27
28
27
27
28
28
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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