Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, E swell with 812 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hakalau this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 16s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming up for Hakalau. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, and we’ve got a long stretch of iffy conditions before anything really gets going.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a slow start. The first solid recommendation isn't until later, but let’s look at what we’re dealing with. Hakalau is a river mouth setup, exposed to the ENE. The water temperature is sitting at 82°, which is about 2° warmer than average for this time of year – a nice little bonus for the skin.
Sunday the 23rd starts with a modest 7ft E swell, with a combined energy of (939), so there’s some push there. But the wind is a cross-on from the SE at 6 mph, and with a rain shower, it’s just not coming together. The period is a short 10 seconds, and the surf just looks marginal at best. That’s pretty much the theme for the next week.
From Monday the 24th right through to the end of August, the swell slowly drops off, the period gets short, and the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore. Lots of rain showers and choppy, poor quality surf. There’s a fair few days in a row where I wouldn’t even bother waxing up.
Then we hit the first week of September. Around the 4th of September, we start to see a pulse of longer period energy. Friday afternoon the 4th sees the swell jump to 7ft from the ENE with a 12-second period, and combined energy hits a strong (1136). The wind is a cross-on from the NE at 9 mph, so it's not glassy, but there’s some juice. Saturday the 5th holds similar 7ft ENE swell with a 11-second period and light cross-on breezes at 6 mph – energy stays up around (923). This is our first real window of opportunity.
The standout actually looks to be Sunday, September 7th. The morning has a nice 5ft NE swell, but it’s the afternoon that gets me excited. A clean 6ft ENE swell with a light cross-on breeze of only 3 mph makes for almost glassy conditions. The combined energy is a solid (591), and the setup will be clean. The swell direction matches the optimum ENE direction perfectly, and with light winds, the waves should have some shape. Keep in mind, this swell is from a 9-second period, so it’s a bit more windswell in character. Still, for this forecast period, it’s the best on offer.
Remember, as we get that far out, it’s promising but less certain. If you can time that Sunday afternoon session, you might just score. The river mouth will be your best bet to handle that direction and period.
Stay tuned, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 14 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
812 | 566 | 439 | 422 | 188 | 364 | 299 | 221 | 210 | 208 | 186 | 156 | 183 | 118 | 168 | 166 | 153 | 128 | 191 | 181 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 00:32AM0.48m | 1:44PM0.92m | 1:11AM0.53m | 2:10PM0.96m | 1:46AM0.59m | 2:34PM0.97m | 2:21AM0.65m | 2:57PM0.97m | 2:56AM0.70m | 3:20PM0.95m | 3:32AM0.75m | 3:43PM0.91m | 4:10AM0.79m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:20PM0.36m | 6:22AM0.17m | 8:30PM0.32m | 7:02AM0.13m | 8:46PM0.29m | 7:39AM0.11m | 9:03PM0.25m | 8:13AM0.11m | 9:22PM0.21m | 8:48AM0.13m | 9:42PM0.18m | 9:24AM0.17m | 10:04PM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | S 12 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
812 | 566 | 439 | 422 | 170 | 11 | 299 | 221 | 210 | 208 | 186 | 156 | 183 | 118 | 168 | 166 | 79 | 124 | 191 | 181 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | ESE 8 | NW 10 | S 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 16 | NE 6 | E 13 | NNE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 13 | E 12 |
34 | 17 | 29 | 14 | 188 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 33 | 22 | 32 | 32 | 46 | 46 | 32 | 9 | 99 | 86 | 168 | 144 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 11 | SSE 12 | S 20 | NW 9 | S 12 | S 21 | S 20 | S 19 | S 18 | N 8 | S 16 | S 14 | E 12 | E 14 | E 13 | S 13 | S 12 |
6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 35 | 67 | 62 | 96 | 11 | 78 | 37 | 26 | 153 | 128 | 13 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 364 | — | — | — | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 16 | 158 | 18 | 14 | 158 | 96 | 20 | 20 | 95 | 14 | 20 | 158 | 95 | 158 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 158 | 95 |
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.











