Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
27.5°C
1.0° 

Hakalau surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Hakalau surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, E swell with 1,398 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with E 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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 17s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 30th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 30th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what we’ve got coming up for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but I’ll walk you through it.

Honestly, the outlook starts off pretty grim. The first few days are a write-off for quality surf. We’re looking at a lot of poor conditions with onshore and cross-onshore winds messing things up. There’s a glimmer of hope later on, but you’ll have to be patient.

Hakalau (river mouth) – This is the only spot on the cards for a while. For the rest of August and into the first days of September, the surf quality is poor. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, coming from the ENE or NE, keeping things bumpy and uninviting. Swell heights bob around between 2ft and 6ft, but the short period (7-8 seconds) means weak, crumbly waves. The combined energy is mostly in the moderate range (208 to 442), but it’s just not clean enough to paddle out for a good time.

We see a shift starting on Wednesday the 2nd of September. The period jumps to 10 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to a strong 835, then to 1048 on Wednesday afternoon. The swell is from the ESE at 6ft. It’s still a bit lumpy with a gentle cross-onshore, but the forecast calls it “marginal” – it’s not great, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far. The water is a warm 82°F with a 2°F anomaly, so it’s a touch warmer than average for this time of year.

Now, the standout window is Thursday, September 3rd to Sunday, September 6th. This is the best on offer. On Thursday morning, we get a clean 7ft swell from the east with a solid 12-second period. The combined energy hits 1440 (very strong) and the wind is light and onshore from the ENE. The only downside is the wind picks up a bit in the afternoon, turning cross-onshore. By Friday the 4th, the swell holds at 8ft from the east with that long 12-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is huge at 1868 to 2021. The wind stays light and cross-onshore. This is big, powerful surf. At 8ft, it’s for experienced surfers only. That long period (over 11 seconds) means these waves will have real punch and should hold up well at the river mouth, though the long period can make beach breaks a bit straight; a river mouth is a good fit for it.

The weekend of the 5th and 6th of September sees the swell holding around 8ft to 8ft, with the period dropping slightly to 11 seconds. The wind is light and onshore from the east/northeast. The energy remains very strong (1320 to 1903). It’s still a powerful, chunky setup, but the wind stays light, which is a major positive for keeping the surface clean. For the best chance at a clean wave, aim for the morning sessions on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th.

After that, from Monday the 7th of September onwards, it all falls apart again. The winds get strong, the chop builds, and the quality drops right back to poor. The swell stays up around 8ft, but with moderate to fresh cross-onshore winds and rain or storms, it becomes a lumpy, blown-out mess. It’s not worth your time, unless you’re into a challenge with heavy chop.

Summing it up: pass on this week and the very start of next week. Focus on the Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th of September for the biggest, most powerful swell of the period, especially the morning sessions when the wind is lightest. It’s expert territory, so keep that in mind.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
E
7
1.3
ENE
7
1.3
E
7
0.6
E
15
0.6
E
14
1.4
ENE
7
1.6
ENE
7
1.5
ENE
7
1.4
ENE
7
1.5
ENE
7
1.2
E
7
0.9
ESE
7
1.4
NE
8
1.5
NE
8
1.7
NE
8
1.7
ENE
8
1.7
ENE
8
1.8
ENE
8
1.7
ESE
10
1.9
ESE
10
2.1
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
203
166
161
161
153
175
220
200
168
210
138
91
236
277
400
403
372
402
574
769
1144
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
15
NE
15
ENE
10
ESE
10
E
15
E
10
SE
15
E
15
E
5
SSW
15
ENE
15
NE
0
NNE
15
ESE
10
E
15
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
10
ENE
Wind State
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
2:57PM0.97m
2:56AM0.70m
3:20PM0.95m
3:32AM0.75m
3:43PM0.91m
4:10AM0.79m
4:05PM0.84m
4:52AM0.81m
4:27PM0.77m
5:40AM0.81m
4:48PM0.69m
6:40AM0.80m
5:04PM0.62m
Low Tide
8:13AM0.11m
9:22PM0.21m
8:48AM0.13m
9:42PM0.18m
9:24AM0.17m
10:04PM0.15m
10:02AM0.24m
10:29PM0.13m
10:43AM0.31m
10:56PM0.12m
11:32AM0.40m
11:27PM0.12m
12:38PM0.49m
00:07AM0.15m
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:39
6:38
6:37
6:37
6:36
6:35
6:35
 mm
2
1
2
1
7
1
1
4
1
1
1
5
1
3
Temp °C
25
25
25
25
25
25
26
26
25
26
26
25
26
26
26
26
27
26
27
27
26
Feels °C
27
26
27
27
27
26
28
27
27
27
27
27
29
27
28
29
29
29
28
28
29
  • 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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