Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, ESE swell with 1,645 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period with ENE 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 20s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the coming waves for Hakalau. The water temp is 27°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises on that front.
The next two weeks are mostly a tough go. There’s a big gap of days where the surf is poor, with cross-onshore winds and choppy, weak lines. The swell energy is low to moderate, with most readings showing combined energy values between 142 and 546, so the waves are small and lack punch. The period is short, mostly around 6 to 9 seconds, so it’s all windswell – no real power.
The real standout doesn’t show up until a week from now, around August 31st. Monday morning and afternoon, things get interesting. The swell comes up to 8ft to 10ft, from the east, with a much longer period of 13 to 14 seconds. That’s groundswell, and it brings serious energy – the combined energy jumps to 2728 and then 3585, which is strong. The wind is light and onshore, but the size and period mean these waves will have power. This is only for experienced surfers – over 8ft, it’s expert territory. The break is a river mouth, so that long-period energy should wrap in nicely, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Then September 1st keeps that energy rolling with 12ft surf from the east, period around 12 seconds, and combined energy still over 3600. The wind turns cross-shore, which is a bit better, but it’s still a big, powerful ocean. The standouts are definitely August 31st afternoon and September 1st afternoon – those are the moments to watch if you’ve got the skills.
Everything else before that? Mostly small, choppy, and not worth paddling out. The forecast is more reliable for the near term, and that near term is poor. The long-range promise on the 31st and 1st is real, but it’s a week and a half out – things can shift.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on that end of August window.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 57mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sat night, fresh winds from the SE by Mon afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
177 | 153 | 86 | 73 | 63 | 68 | 122 | 176 | 346 | 525 | 1109 | 1645 | 1176 | 808 | 593 | 546 | 428 | 372 | 313 | 228 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:21PM0.56m | 10:31AM0.72m | 11:55AM0.77m | 12:41PM0.82m | 11:36PM0.43m | 1:15PM0.88m | 00:32AM0.48m | 1:44PM0.92m | 1:11AM0.53m | 2:10PM0.96m | 1:46AM0.59m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:12PM0.56m | 1:17AM0.24m | 2:34AM0.27m | 4:18AM0.26m | 8:21PM0.39m | 5:31AM0.21m | 8:20PM0.36m | 6:22AM0.17m | 8:30PM0.32m | 7:02AM0.13m | 8:46PM0.29m | |||||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | N 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
177 | 153 | 86 | 73 | 63 | 24 | 122 | 176 | 346 | 525 | 1109 | 1645 | 1176 | 808 | 593 | 546 | 428 | 372 | 313 | 228 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | SE 9 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SSE 15 | S 14 | NW 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 12 | SE 9 |
22 | 29 | 51 | 36 | 49 | 27 | 36 | 58 | 61 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 18 | 33 | 29 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | NNE 7 | S 14 | SSE 15 | S 12 | NW 11 | W 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | S 12 |
21 | 2 | 21 | 50 | 31 | 23 | 26 | 14 | 42 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | — |
20 | — | — | — | — | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 165 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 95 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 74 | 14 | 20 | 74 | 74 | 82 | 74 | 18 | 158 | 158 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
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.











