
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, E swell with 1,110 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM. 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 13s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's talk about what's on the menu for Hakalau. It's a river mouth setup, and we're looking at a pretty tough run, to be honest. There's a big gap at the start with no real surf to speak of, from now through to about Thursday the 25th of July. We're dealing with a lot of onshore wind and short-period windswell that just isn't shaping up.
Things start to look a little less bleak on Sunday the 26th of July. The swell is small, around 4ft from the east, but the period jumps up to 14 seconds, which brings a bit of proper energy. The wind is a light cross-onshore, which isn't perfect but will keep it cleaner than what we've seen. The combined swell energy is moderate (700). It's marginal, a bit of a gamble with the tide, but it's the first chance of a wave.
The next morning, Monday the 27th of July, is probably your best shout across the 16 days. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the east, with a long 13-second period giving the waves some real shape and power. The combined energy is strong (1148). The wind is from the northeast at just 6 mph, a light cross-onshore that'll keep the surface pretty tidy. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Keep in mind, this is a river break and with that long period, the sets will be more defined and may not wall up as well on the beach sections. Crowds are always a possibility here.
Tuesday the 28th of July holds similar promise. Swell holds at 6ft from the east, period holds at 12 seconds, and combined energy stays strong (1001). The wind swings a little more northerly, a gentle cross-shore breeze, which is still a solid trade-off. It's another marginal call tide-wise, but the quality is better than anything else on offer.
After that, the wind starts to mess things up again. There's a window from Friday the 2nd of August through Monday the 5th of August where the swell gets a little bigger, pushing 7ft, but the wind is mostly onshore, and it's just not going to be pretty.
One to watch in the distance is Monday the 3rd of August morning. The swell drops back to 4ft but the period gets very long at 16 seconds, with strong combined energy (1170). That's proper groundswell potential, but it's a long-range call and very dependent on it wrapping in cleanly. The wind is onshore, so it's a gamble.
Overall, the best of what we've got is Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th of July. Don't get your hopes up too high, but there are a couple of sessions in there that might just deliver.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest 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 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | E 11 | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NNE 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
408 | 451 | 120 | 180 | 173 | 265 | 393 | 222 | 198 | 329 | 445 | 577 | 700 | 1002 | 972 | 976 | 870 | 956 | 731 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | 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 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | E 11 | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 11 |
26 | 451 | 120 | 180 | 173 | 265 | 393 | 222 | 198 | 221 | 169 | 577 | 700 | 1002 | 972 | 976 | 870 | 956 | 731 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | NNE 6 | E 10 | E 10 | NNE 7 | E 16 | E 14 | NNE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 14 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 |
34 | 34 | 80 | 50 | 77 | 77 | 99 | 162 | 127 | 134 | 445 | 136 | 169 | 146 | 114 | 192 | 117 | 186 | 169 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SE 14 | NNE 7 | SE 13 | ENE 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 14 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | SE 9 | S 10 | SE 9 |
28 | 33 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 84 | 109 | 329 | 86 | 88 | 59 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
408 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 158 | 167 | 20 | 20 | 76 | 14 | 20 | 96 | 14 | 122 | 158 | 20 | 99 | 158 | 0 | 120 | 72 | 14 |
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.










