Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, E swell with 493 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) 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 0.1m 14s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for our stretch of coast.
Truth be told, the next week and a half looks pretty grim for a proper paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions right through until the end of July. The onshore and cross-onshore winds are just relentless, mostly from the east, and the swell is short-period, weak stuff for days. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least a dip in the ocean won’t give you a shock.
We finally see a flicker of something different around Sunday the 26th of July. The energy picks up significantly, with a combined energy reading of 1576 (moderate wave energy), and the swell period jumps to 17 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The swell is from the east at 5ft, but it’s blowing onshore from the ENE at 9 mph. The long period will make it wall up, but with the wind on it, it’s only going to be a marginal, choppy affair. It’s not the clean one to chase.
The real standout, and I mean the only one that gets my blood pumping, is Monday the 27th of July. Hakalau (Hakalau) is looking at a solid 10ft swell from the ENE, with a 16-second period. That’s a very long period, big groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 4065 (strong wave energy). This is a serious amount of water moving. The wind is a cross-onshore from the NNE at 9 mph, which is a bit of a shame, but it’s still a better scenario than anything else. This is a big, powerful set-up. At 10ft, this is strictly for experienced surfers and experts only. The long period groundswell like this is best handled at the rivermouth here, as it might just be too straight and powerful for the beach. The crowds are ‘sometimes’ an issue, so expect a few others out for the swell of the period.
After that, the size drops off through the 28th (8ft, 13-second period) and 29th (6ft, 12-second period), but the winds stay messy, keeping things in the marginal category. The first week of August looks like a return to tiny, long-period leftovers that just won’t have the push.
So, in short: don’t bother waxing up until the 27th. That Monday is your best shot, but it’s a big, powerful ocean with a sidewind. Keep your wits about you.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 150 | 119 | 308 | 481 | 493 | 305 | 252 | 212 | 191 | 130 | 88 | 149 | 124 | 76 | 94 | 94 | 148 | 396 | 289 | 198 | 187 |
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 | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:30PM0.96m | 5:52AM0.62m | 5:58PM0.87m | 6:55AM0.63m | 6:23PM0.77m | 8:11AM0.65m | 6:42PM0.68m | 9:44AM0.68m | 6:51PM0.60m | 11:15AM0.74m | 12:18PM0.79m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:38AM0.16m | 00:14AM0.23m | 11:23AM0.27m | 00:47AM0.22m | 12:12PM0.39m | 1:22AM0.22m | 1:16PM0.49m | 2:01AM0.22m | 3:17PM0.56m | 2:48AM0.23m | 3:47AM0.22m | 4:51AM0.21m | |||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — |
mm | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | NNE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 7 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 102 | 45 | 308 | 481 | 493 | 305 | 252 | 212 | 191 | 130 | 88 | 61 | 124 | 76 | 36 | 33 | 104 | 396 | 289 | 198 | 187 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | W 13 | S 16 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | E 11 | NE 7 | E 11 | E 10 | E 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 11 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 27 | 36 | 26 | 4 | 5 | 45 | 32 | 33 | 47 | 50 | 57 | 59 | 61 | 50 | 82 | 50 | 148 | 19 | 30 | 62 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | SSE 9 | N 8 | S 16 | W 13 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | E 11 | S 13 | ENE 14 | NNE 7 | S 13 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ENE 11 |
| kJ | 41 | 8 | 32 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 27 | 55 | 48 | 80 | 71 | 67 | 64 | 60 | 56 | 61 | 29 | 28 | 33 | 52 | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | — | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 150 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 149 | — | — | 94 | 94 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 74 | 20 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 14 | 158 | 158 | 0 | 122 | 158 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 158 | 166 | 14 | 158 | 20 | 2 |
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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