Hakalau Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.90° N 155.13° W

Hakalau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hakalau sea temperature is
27.2°C
0.5° 

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


Hakalau surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, ENE swell with 869 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with NE 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 (Sep 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 0.1m 14s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 14th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 14th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 17th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut straight to it. We’ve got a 16-day look at Hakalau, and I gotta be honest with you – it’s a tough stretch. We’re looking at a solid block of poor surf conditions for a good week and a half. The first real chance to even think about paddling out doesn't show up until late in the window, so patience is the name of the game here.

Right out of the gate, Sunday the 13th, it’s a no-go. Lousy cross-on wind and small, weak swell. That ugly pattern sticks around, day after day. For the entire first week and into the second, we’re looking at persistent cross-onshore winds from the ESE, keeping that surface all chopped up. There’s some moderate energy in the water on the 16th and 17th (453 and 647), but it’s messy and onshore – honestly, that energy is better suited for a kite than a surfboard. This long stretch of junk runs right through the 22nd of September. A real bummer.

Now, things *finally* look like they might turn a corner on Wednesday the 23rd. We get a solid pulse of swell from the east pushing up to 10 ft. That’s a lot of water moving, with the energy meter absolutely cranking at (1821). For a river mouth like Hakalau, a swell this size pushing in from the east is proper expert territory – way too much for anyone but the experienced crew. The wind goes light and variable, even turning onshore from the ENE, which could keep it from being totally unmanageable. It’s surfable, but it’s a beast. That’s your best shot in the whole outlook.

After that big day, things settle back down through the 25th and 26th with smaller, cleaner windows but weaker swell. The water temp is hanging around 81°, which is dead normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you wait for a set.

So, here’s the bottom line: The one true standout is the morning of the 23rd of September. It’s big, it’s powerful, and it’s the least windy day in the whole forecast. If you’re an expert and you want a serious slab, that’s your window. Everyone else, save your energy. This area tends not to stay poor forever, and forecasts can change, but right now, the 23rd is the only light in the tunnel.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
NE
8
0.9
NE
8
1.1
NE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.6
E
11
0.6
E
11
1.1
E
10
1.4
ENE
10
1.3
E
10
2.2
ENE
10
2.1
ENE
9
2.1
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
E
8
1.9
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
138
115
145
78
89
84
247
402
325
869
662
647
500
477
489
505
512
512
509
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
5
ENE
10
ENE
10
SE
15
ESE
10
E
5
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
10
NNE
25
ESE
20
ESE
20
SE
25
SE
20
ESE
15
SE
20
ESE
15
E
20
E
Wind State
glassy
on
on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
4:51AM0.86m
4:11PM0.69m
5:32AM0.83m
4:23PM0.62m
6:19AM0.78m
4:21PM0.56m
7:27AM0.73m
9:21AM0.71m
11:04AM0.75m
9:50PM0.38m
Low Tide
10:11PM0.11m
10:54AM0.36m
10:33PM0.13m
11:37AM0.43m
10:56PM0.16m
12:34PM0.50m
11:23PM0.20m
11:57PM0.25m
1:07AM0.29m
8:43PM0.38m
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:24
6:23
6:22
6:22
6:21
6:20
6:19
 mm
1
2
2
2
2
7
4
7
4
1
2
5
Temp °C
25
26
26
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
Feels °C
28
30
29
30
29
29
29
31
31
29
28
28
28
27
27
27
28
28
28
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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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