
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, E swell with 2,228 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hakalau this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.3m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 14s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s happening at Hakalau. Gotta be straight with you—this stretch is a tough one. The whole 16-day window is a grind, and there’s no real standout session that’ll have you calling in sick. The best of what’s on offer is still only marginal, so keep your expectations in check.
The first few days are a write-off. From Monday the 20th to Thursday the 23rd, it’s mostly poor surf conditions with cross-onshore winds and choppy, weak waves. Swell is small, around 3 ft to 4 ft from the east, with short periods. The combined energy is weak to moderate (181 to 459). Honestly, not worth paddling out.
Friday the 24th shows a slight uptick. Swell builds to 5 ft to 6 ft from the ENE, with a period of 7-8 seconds. The wind turns onshore and light, but the wave comment still calls it “marginal.” The energy jumps to a moderate 502-750. It’s the first time you might get a few rideable ones, but it’s not going to be pretty.
Then Saturday the 25th is where things get interesting. The morning drops to 2 ft with a very long 14-second period, but the wind is light onshore. The afternoon brings a 4 ft swell from the east with a 17-second period—that’s a proper groundswell. Combined energy is strong (1047). This is a long-period swell, so at a river mouth like Hakalau, it could be a bit straight and walled up, but the light onshore wind might keep it clean enough for a few waves. This is the best of the first week, but it’s still only a 2 out of 10 in the guidance.
Sunday the 26th through Tuesday the 28th see bigger swell, with heights between 6 ft and 8 ft, and periods from 13 to 16 seconds. The energy is very strong (1870 to 2329). But the wind is cross-shore, and the wave comment stays “marginal.” Wednesday the 29th has 8 ft swell from the NE with a 11-second period, and light onshore wind. That’s getting big—only for experienced surfers. The energy is still strong (1996), but the quality is lacking.
After that, from Thursday the 30th of July through the end of the forecast on Tuesday the 4th of August, it’s back to poor conditions. Swell drops, wind turns cross-onshore or onshore, and the energy fades. The last few days have small, weak swells with periods around 8-15 seconds, but nothing to get excited about.
Water temperature is 80°F, which is about normal for this time of year.
So, the only real standout—if you can call it that—is Saturday the 25th of July, during the afternoon. The swell is 4 ft from the east, with a very long 17-second period, and the energy is strong (1047). It’s not perfect, but it’s the cleanest and most promising window in the whole outlook. Crowds are possible at Hakalau, so you might have some company.
The rest of the two weeks is a long wait for anything decent. A blank run like this is not unusual for the area, but forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 14 | E 17 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
108 | 171 | 114 | 139 | 132 | 387 | 407 | 485 | 389 | 200 | 219 | 240 | 322 | 310 | 199 | 686 | 1487 | 1606 | 1772 | 1989 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:42PM0.68m | 9:44AM0.68m | 6:51PM0.60m | 11:15AM0.74m | 12:18PM0.79m | 1:02PM0.85m | 11:21PM0.45m | 1:39PM0.90m | 00:29AM0.47m | 2:11PM0.94m | 1:15AM0.49m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 2:01AM0.22m | 3:17PM0.56m | 2:48AM0.23m | 3:47AM0.22m | 4:51AM0.21m | 8:36PM0.42m | 5:48AM0.17m | 8:48PM0.39m | 6:36AM0.13m | 9:06PM0.36m | ||||||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | NNE 7 | E 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 |
108 | 171 | 44 | 32 | 117 | 387 | 407 | 30 | 389 | 200 | 219 | 162 | 227 | 310 | 164 | 284 | 1487 | 1606 | 1772 | 1989 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | S 15 | E 11 | E 11 | E 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | SE 15 | NNE 6 | E 10 | ENE 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 15 | NNE 8 | E 17 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
50 | 67 | 61 | 58 | 132 | 35 | 32 | 34 | 37 | 56 | 34 | 68 | 77 | 157 | 175 | 686 | 221 | 305 | 244 | 204 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | E 12 | S 14 | E 13 | NE 7 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | ENE 10 | E 16 | SE 13 | E 14 | ESE 8 | E 8 | S 17 | SSE 11 | ESE 9 |
23 | 25 | 64 | 85 | 47 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 33 | 52 | 28 | 32 | 124 | 26 | 199 | 77 | 103 | 6 | 12 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | E 11 | — | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | — |
— | — | 114 | 139 | — | — | — | 485 | — | — | — | 240 | 322 | — | — | — | — | — | 242 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 158 | 16 | 156 | 160 | 74 | 74 | 158 | 14 | 158 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 95 | 14 | 98 | 96 | 72 |
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.










