Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 13 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
27.0° C
0.6° 

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


Hakalau surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, E swell with 4,801 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 15s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 14th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 9s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 14th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 15th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ down the pipe for Hakalau.

Alright folks, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next few weeks are a real mixed bag, and mostly a tough go. We’ve got a long, dry spell of poor conditions before anything even starts to look interesting. The first real chance for a wave that’s worth paddlin’ out for doesn't show up until Thursday, August 27th, and even then, it’s more about potential than perfection.

So let’s start with the here and now. From Thursday afternoon, August 13th, right through until the end of the third week of August, it’s a grim stretch. The water temperature’s sittin’ at a balmy 81°, which is about average for this time of year, but don’t let that fool ya. The wind is a constant problem, mostly cross-onshore or straight onshore, chopping everything to bits. The swell energy is all over the place, with a peak of 5012 (moderate to strong) on the 14th, but it’s backed by a raw, rainy wind that just ruins it. We see some solid 12 ft to 15 ft surf from the east mid-month, but it's coming in with tropical storms and heavy rain – that's not fun for anyone. It’s all "poor surf conditions" on the board. For about 13 days straight, you’re better off finding something else to do.

Now, there’s one flicker of light right at the tail end of the forecast. On Thursday, August 27th, we start to see a shift. The swell period jumps up to a very long 18 seconds, with a combined energy of 1567 (moderate). This is a proper groundswell from the east. It’s still a "marginal" call on the tide, and we’ve got a gentle cross-onshore breeze, which is okay but not perfect.

The standout, if there is one, comes Friday, August 28th. The swell holds at a long 16 seconds, and the height builds to a clean 8 ft from the east, with a whoppin’ 3134 wave energy (strong). Now, 8 ft is a solid step-up for most of you – that’s expert territory. But it’s the first day that feels like a real ocean swell is pushin’ in. The wind is still that pesky gentle cross-onshore, which will keep it a bit bumpy, but the power from the east will be undeniable. At Hakalau, a river mouth break, that kind of long-period east swell can set up some proper lines if the tide plays ball. It’s the only day in the whole 16-day window where I’d say, “Alright, maybe.”

Bottom line: The first two weeks are a washout. Hold out for the end of August, especially that Friday the 28th, for a chance at something memorable. It’s more of a promise than a guarantee this far out, but it’s the best we got.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 211mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, near gales from the ESE by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Thu
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
2
3
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
E
8
2
E
9
2.1
E
11
3.5
E
11
4
E
11
4.5
E
11
4
ESE
10
2.5
E
9
2.4
E
8
2.1
E
8
1.8
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.4
ENE
8
1
E
8
1
E
8
1
E
8
1.1
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
7
1
E
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
439
621
1026
2764
4264
4594
2958
945
765
540
368
258
258
245
135
129
129
159
188
108
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
5
NNE
15
ENE
20
NE
20
NE
35
E
30
E
45
SE
30
SSE
30
SE
20
ESE
15
ESE
15
E
10
E
10
ENE
10
E
10
ESE
15
E
10
ENE
5
ESE
Wind State
on
glassy
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
3:49PM1.03m
3:54AM0.71m
4:17PM0.96m
4:38AM0.74m
4:41PM0.88m
5:23AM0.75m
5:02PM0.78m
6:12AM0.74m
5:17PM0.70m
7:10AM0.72m
5:22PM0.62m
8:33AM0.70m
4:21PM0.56m
Low Tide
10:18PM0.19m
9:44AM0.13m
10:44PM0.17m
10:25AM0.22m
11:10PM0.17m
11:06AM0.32m
11:36PM0.17m
11:50AM0.42m
00:03AM0.19m
12:47PM0.51m
00:34AM0.22m
3:12PM0.56m
1:17AM0.24m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
heavy rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:50
6:49
6:49
6:47
6:46
6:46
6:45
 mm
3
7
32
27
42
91
9
4
9
4
2
1
2
1
Temp °C
26
26
26
26
26
26
25
26
26
27
26
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
26
25
Feels °C
27
29
28
27
28
25
24
24
26
28
28
26
27
27
28
27
27
28
29
29
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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