
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, ENE swell with 1,405 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright y’all, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking in the water.
The next few days are a total wash. From Wednesday the 22nd through Saturday the 25th, there’s nothing doing. The wind is blowing onshore or cross-on, and the swell is a weak, short-period E swell that’s just junk. A real dry spell.
Things start to show a little life on Sunday the 26th. The swell bumps up in size and the period gets long, with a real groundswell from the E. Water temp is 80°, totally normal for the season. Sunday morning the combined energy is solid (995), and the wind is light, but it’s still blowing onshore, so the waves will be a bit bumpy. It’s a marginal call.
The real standout, the one you want to save your energy for, is the afternoon of Wednesday the 29th. The wind goes completely glassy, dead calm, and we’ve got a clean 7ft swell from the NE with a 9-second period. That’s a proper wave. The combined energy is still strong (696). Now, at 7ft, it’s a bit too big for the groms and beginners, but for the experienced crew, it’s going to be perfect. Hakalau will be the spot. It’s a river mouth break, so it can handle that long-period energy, and with those glassy conditions, it’ll be nothing short of epic. Just remember, crowds can pop up here, so be ready to share.
After that beauty, we slide into a quieter patch from Thursday the 30th through to Sunday the 2nd of August. The wind turns back onshore and the swell loses its quality, with energy dropping back to moderate levels. Not worth the drive.
Looking further out, into the first week of August, we’ve got another interesting pulse. On Monday the 3rd of August, a very long-period E swell (16 seconds) rolls in. The combined energy jumps back over 1000 (1067), and while the height is only 4ft to 4ft, that long period means it’ll have some serious push and shape. The wind is light and onshore, so it’s still a bit of a gamble. This one’s promising, but it’s a long way off, so keep your fingers crossed. This spot is fairly consistent, so when it’s flat, it usually doesn’t stay that way for long.
To wrap it up: a rough start, a killer session on the 29th, and then a wait for the next window. The 29th is the one to lock in.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
344 | 348 | 387 | 116 | 180 | 162 | 183 | 209 | 263 | 197 | 418 | 610 | 797 | 732 | 1107 | 1094 | 1121 | 1207 | 1336 | 1338 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 12:18PM0.79m | 1:02PM0.85m | 11:21PM0.45m | 1:39PM0.90m | 00:29AM0.47m | 2:11PM0.94m | 1:15AM0.49m | 2:41PM0.97m | 1:54AM0.53m | 3:10PM1.00m | 2:30AM0.56m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:47AM0.22m | 4:51AM0.21m | 8:36PM0.42m | 5:48AM0.17m | 8:48PM0.39m | 6:36AM0.13m | 9:06PM0.36m | 7:17AM0.10m | 9:27PM0.34m | 7:54AM0.07m | 9:49PM0.31m | |||||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 12 |
344 | 348 | 387 | 116 | 180 | 162 | 183 | 209 | 263 | 196 | 221 | 221 | 797 | 732 | 1107 | 1094 | 1121 | 1207 | 1336 | 1338 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | E 10 | E 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 14 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 15 | E 15 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 |
41 | 30 | 49 | 80 | 50 | 93 | 75 | 99 | 158 | 197 | 418 | 610 | 182 | 178 | 150 | 134 | 192 | 173 | 212 | 147 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 15 | SE 14 | N 7 | SE 13 | ENE 10 | E 16 | SE 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 11 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 10 | SE 9 |
20 | 34 | 33 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 77 | 26 | 84 | 75 | 88 | 134 | 164 | 115 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 2 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 131 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 158 | 158 | 16 | 158 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 158 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 96 | 72 | 158 | 158 | 14 | 95 | 72 |
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.










