Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, ENE swell with 380 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 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 (Fri 11th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| 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
Second Text (Imperial Units):
Alright, crew, let’s talk about Hakalau. Rusty here, and I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the first half of this forecast is a slog. The river mouth is fairly consistent, but the wind is gonna be a pain for a while.
The water temp is a normal 81°, so no surprises there. But from Wednesday the 9th through the next week and a half, it’s all cross-onshore wind and poor surf. The waves are small, weak, and choppy. The combined energy on the 9th morning is only 451, but the ESE wind at 25 km/h just makes it a mess. Not worth it.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday the 21st of September. The swell jumps to 8ft from the east, with a strong energy reading of 2091, but that ESE wind is still blowing 25 km/h cross-on. It’s going to be a bumpy, choppy session. Still in the "poor" category.
Now, Tuesday the 22nd gets a little better. The swell is 8ft from the east, with a 13-second period and a solid 1791 energy. The wind drops to a gentle 15 km/h from the ESE. It’s still cross-on, but it’s light enough that the surface won’t be torn up. This is big-wave territory, so only for the experienced crew. The crowds are "sometimes," so you might get a few buddies out there.
But the real standout is the afternoon of Wednesday the 23rd of September. The swell is 7ft from the ENE, with a 12-second period and a massive 1581 energy reading. The wind is a light 10 km/h from the ESE, almost glassy. That’s a rare clean window for this spot. The direction is perfect. This is the day to aim for.
After that, Thursday the 24th gets huge again with 10ft swell, but it’s back to being choppy and messy.
So, the bottom line: the first 12 days are a write-off. The only two windows worth getting excited about are the afternoon of the 22nd and the afternoon of the 23rd. The 23rd is the clear winner. It’s a long way out, so don’t book the time off yet, but it’s got potential.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | E 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 255 | 190 | 167 | 173 | 149 | 380 | 297 | 240 | 169 | 96 | 92 | 94 | 119 | 111 | 117 | 120 | 165 | 135 | 74 | 70 | 47 |
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 | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:13PM1.00m | 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 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 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 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | E 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 255 | 176 | 167 | 93 | 149 | 380 | 297 | 240 | 169 | 96 | 92 | 94 | 119 | 111 | 117 | 120 | 165 | 135 | 74 | 70 | 44 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 9 | ENE 11 | SE 9 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | E 7 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 22 | 190 | 139 | 21 | 100 | 27 | 32 | 33 | 44 | 61 | 84 | 82 | 76 | 78 | 105 | 77 | 19 | 9 | 47 | 50 | 47 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 12 | SE 9 | NW 10 | NW 9 | SE 9 | NNE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NW 12 | NW 12 | ESE 6 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 21 | 30 | 35 | 14 | 20 | 12 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 10 | 15 | 43 | 55 | 34 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 19 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | — | — | ENE 7 | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 174 | — | — | 173 | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 55 | 122 | 72 | 0 | 72 | 72 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
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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