Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, ESE swell with 2,966 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on offer for the coming weeks.
Straight up, the outlook for Hakalau is a tough one. We're looking at a long, frustrating stretch of onshore and cross-onshore winds that are going to mess with the shape. For most of the next two weeks, this spot is going to be a write-off for clean, surfable waves. There's a real grind from now until early September, with nothing worth paddling out for. The wind just won't let up.
Sunday the 30th is a non-starter. The swell is there at 5ft from the ENE, but with a short period of 7s and a stiff onshore wind, the energy is all just chop. By Monday and Tuesday, we get a bit more size, with swell hitting 5ft to 6ft, but it's still blown out and the rain showers don't help the mood.
The first real glimmer of hope, and it's a faint one, shows up around Thursday, September 3rd. There's a pulse of bigger energy from the ESE, coming in at 6ft with a period of 10s. The combined energy is moderate, but the wind is still cross-onshore, so it's rough. The best of it might be the afternoon, where the swell pushes 8ft from the East with an 11-second period, but again, the wind is the enemy here making it choppy.
For a proper standout, you have to look way down the line to Tuesday, September 8th and Wednesday, September 9th. Tuesday morning brings a solid 8ft ENE swell, period 11s, and the combined energy is pumping strong. The wind is only a light breeze from the NE, making for just light cross-onshore with small wind ripples. That's about as good as it gets here. That 8ft is getting into expert-only territory, but for the experienced crew, this could be the only window. Wednesday morning looks even bigger at 10ft from the NE with a 10-second period and light winds – a true big-wave day for experts only. If you're a beginner, stay well clear.
After that, the wind swings back onshore again, and the swell fades, leaving us with a flat, messy end to the period.
So, the honest call: if you're an expert, circle Wednesday, September 9th on the calendar. It's the only day where the size and light wind might align for a session at Hakalau, but be ready for a challenging, powerful wave. For everyone else, the wind and onshore conditions just never let up enough to call it good. This stretch is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 72mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Wed morning, strong winds from the ESE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
96 | 96 | 81 | 339 | 322 | 423 | 434 | 356 | 338 | 250 | 297 | 868 | 1815 | 1935 | 2429 | 1336 | 1581 | 1020 | 2103 | 1510 | 1214 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:05PM0.84m | 4:52AM0.81m | 4:27PM0.77m | 5:40AM0.81m | 4:48PM0.69m | 6:40AM0.80m | 5:04PM0.62m | 8:05AM0.79m | 4:48PM0.54m | 9:58AM0.81m | 11:26AM0.87m | 10:20PM0.42m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:02AM0.24m | 10:29PM0.13m | 10:43AM0.31m | 10:56PM0.12m | 11:32AM0.40m | 11:27PM0.12m | 12:38PM0.49m | 00:07AM0.15m | 3:14PM0.54m | 1:05AM0.18m | 2:41AM0.20m | 7:30PM0.39m | 4:27AM0.19m | ||||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 18 | 20 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | E 13 | NNE 11 | NE 8 | E 12 |
96 | 96 | 81 | 339 | 322 | 423 | 434 | 356 | 338 | 250 | 297 | 868 | 1815 | 1935 | 2429 | 604 | 249 | 345 | 24 | 59 | 1214 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 12 | NE 7 | E 13 | E 13 | N 14 | N 12 | S 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 10 |
73 | 81 | 47 | 28 | 43 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 51 | 151 | 223 | 125 | 105 | 126 | 167 | 206 | 4 | 12 | 141 | 38 | 32 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | E 13 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | S 15 | E 12 | S 14 | N 9 | N 9 | S 13 | NNE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 9 |
61 | 54 | 49 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 31 | 102 | 167 | 206 | 17 | 73 | 98 | 2 | 2 | 55 | 24 | 20 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 123 | 1336 | 1581 | 1020 | 2103 | 1510 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 96 | 20 | 158 | 0 | 96 | 160 | 72 | 20 | 96 | 95 | 20 | 96 | 96 | 122 | 95 | 122 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 166 | 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.











