
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with 578 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hakalau this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. 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 12s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get into it.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this stretch isn’t looking like a classic. The whole 16-day window is a tough one. There’s a big gap at the start with nothing worth paddling out for. The first real chance to even think about wetting a suit doesn’t come until Sunday the 12th of July, and even then, it's a marginal call. We’re looking at a solid week of poor conditions before that.
The main spot on offer here is Hakalau (Hakalau), a river mouth that's fairly consistent. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about normal for the time of year, so no worries there.
From Tuesday the 7th through Saturday the 11th, it’s a write-off. Onshore winds, mixed up with rain showers, and the swell is small, short-period, and messy. You wouldn't bother.
Things get a little interesting on Sunday, July 12th. In the morning, we’ve got a 6 ft swell coming from the east with a period of 8 seconds. The combined wave energy is moderate, sitting at 513. The problem is the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy. The report says it’s marginal, and I’d agree. It might be the best on offer, but it’s not a standout.
After that, we fall back into a pattern of poor conditions with cross-onshore or onshore winds and messy swell. The afternoon of Friday the 17th sees a jump in period to 11 seconds and a wave energy of 492, but it’s still flagged as poor surf conditions. That groundswell energy is there, but the wind won’t do us any favours.
Later in the run, on Saturday, July 18th, the swell builds to 7 ft from the east-northeast with a period of 9 seconds and energy of 770, which is moderate to strong. But again, onshore wind and poor surf conditions. This is a big, messy wave. At 7 ft, it's getting into the territory where it’s only for more experienced surfers, especially with the wind not cooperating.
Sunday, July 19th, has a similar story: 7 ft from the east with cross-onshore wind, making it choppy. Another marginal day. The following Monday the 20th is also marginal with 7 ft swell and cross-onshore wind.
Honestly, no day in this whole period shapes up as a true standout. The wind never really cleans up, and the swell is either small and weak or big and messy. If you’re a kiter, this constant cross-onshore wind and decent swell might look interesting, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a long stretch of frustration. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it, but as it stands, pick your moment on the 12th if you’re desperate, or wait for a better run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 54mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
359 | 297 | 261 | 222 | 167 | 287 | 279 | 256 | 279 | 243 | 261 | 198 | 211 | 244 | 466 | 396 | 347 | 418 | 298 | 289 | 246 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:07AM0.65m | 7:34PM0.69m | 10:36AM0.74m | 8:24PM0.61m | 11:47AM0.84m | 9:42PM0.54m | 12:45PM0.95m | 11:11PM0.50m | 1:35PM1.03m | 00:26AM0.50m | 2:21PM1.10m | 1:27AM0.51m | 3:04PM1.13m | 2:22AM0.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:06PM0.50m | 2:56AM0.18m | 4:24PM0.54m | 3:51AM0.14m | 6:32PM0.50m | 4:50AM0.09m | 7:46PM0.44m | 5:49AM0.04m | 8:35PM0.38m | 6:44AM-0.00m | 9:16PM0.33m | 7:35AM-0.03m | 9:54PM0.30m | ||||||||
5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | |
mm | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
359 | 297 | 261 | 222 | 167 | 287 | 279 | 256 | 279 | 243 | 261 | 198 | 162 | 244 | 316 | 396 | 347 | 338 | 298 | 289 | 246 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
41 | 39 | 39 | 28 | 124 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 81 | 105 | 183 | 211 | 139 | 77 | 101 | 125 | 151 | 121 | 84 | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | S 13 | SE 8 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 14 | SSE 14 | N 7 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
15 | 26 | 28 | 4 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 36 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 466 | — | — | 418 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 96 | 74 | 76 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 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.










