Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, E swell with 652 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 11PM. 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 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 15s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up for us.
Right now, the surf is a tough sell. We've got a bit of a wait on our hands. For the first week, from Saturday the 18th through to Friday the 24th, the conditions are just rubbish. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave quality is poor. It's going to be a frustrating stretch of days, so save your energy.
Things start to look a little more interesting from Saturday the 25th. The swell starts to build, but it's still got that marginal feel to it. The real standout, the one you've been waiting for, is shaping up for the end of the month. I'm talking about Hakalau (Big Island) on Wednesday the 29th of July. This is the big one. We're looking at a solid 20ft swell coming from the NE, with a long period of 13-14 seconds. That's a massive groundswell. The combined energy is going to be absolutely pumping, way up around 13826 (moderate to very strong wave energy). The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it won't be glassy, but it'll be manageable. At 20ft, this is strictly for experts only. This is a serious, powerful swell that will be breaking big and heavy. For intermediate or beginner surfers, this is a day to watch from the shore.
Before that, on Tuesday the 28th, we see a 10ft to 12ft ENE swell rolling in with a 14-second period. The energy is strong (3472 to 5462), and the wind is light. But the morning looks better with the wind directly onshore, while the afternoon gets a cross-onshore component. This is still a step up, but Wednesday is the real prize.
After that peak, the swell drops off quickly. By Thursday the 30th, we're back to smaller, messier conditions. We get a few days of smaller 6ft to 5ft swell with onshore winds through the first weekend of August, but nothing that will get the heart racing.
The water temp is sitting at 80°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
So, to wrap it up: endure the first week of poor conditions. The light at the end of the tunnel is that Wednesday the 29th of July at Hakalau. It's a massive, expert-only day. Don't be a hero if you're not ready for it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 533 | 493 | 347 | 252 | 212 | 198 | 114 | 106 | 149 | 114 | 166 | 132 | 560 | 496 | 652 | 158 | 212 | 225 | 254 | 280 | 331 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 1:02PM0.85m | 11:21PM0.45m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:36PM0.42m | ||||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 13 | E 12 | E 11 | ENE 11 | E 11 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 533 | 493 | 347 | 252 | 212 | 198 | 114 | 106 | 149 | 50 | 166 | 117 | 560 | 496 | 499 | 158 | 58 | 225 | 254 | 280 | 331 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | S 16 | N 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NNE 8 | S 15 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | E 15 |
| kJ | 4 | 5 | 26 | 31 | 33 | 48 | 30 | 50 | 67 | 61 | 58 | 44 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 35 | 33 | 29 | 109 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | W 13 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | E 12 | S 14 | E 13 | E 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 15 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 |
| kJ | 5 | 3 | 18 | 27 | 55 | 48 | 45 | 23 | 25 | 64 | 55 | 132 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — | — | — | E 11 | ENE 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 114 | — | — | — | — | 652 | 158 | 212 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 74 | 74 | 96 | 158 | 158 | 0 | 156 | 158 | 16 | 160 | 20 | 74 | 20 | 166 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 2 | 20 | 20 | 14 |
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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