Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, ESE swell with 3,017 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 13s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a mixed bag on the horizon for Hakalau. The overall pattern is dominated by a lot of onshore or cross-onshore winds and messy conditions, especially through the first week and a half. There’s a real quiet spell for quality surf, but towards the tail end of the window, things start to look a whole lot more interesting.
The first real glimmer of something decent doesn’t come until Sunday the 23rd of August. The morning shows a big 10-foot swell from the ESE, with a long 12-second period pumping in. That’s a lot of energy – the combined energy reading is 2893, which is strong. But the wind is onshore from the NE and there’s light rain, so it’s a marginal call. The afternoon gets worse with a risk of thunderstorms and 15 mph onshore winds, so that window is for the brave and the desperate only.
The following week stays pretty rough. Through the 24th to the 28th, we’ve got consistent swell in the 5-foot to 8-foot range, but the wind is swinging from strong SE to E, keeping things choppy and lumpy. The energy is moderate to strong, hitting 1140 on the 24th, but it’s just not lining up with the wind. Definitely more of a kite session than a paddle session on those days.
Now, the standout. The real reason to wait. The best on offer is lined up for Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning brings a clean 4.5-foot swell from the ENE, with a 9-second period. The wind is what makes it magic – a light 6 mph cross-offshore breeze from the SSW. That’s the golden ticket. The combined energy is 516, which is moderate, but the conditions are predicted to be very good. This is a river break, and with that cross-off wind, it’ll be clean and glassy. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no need to worry about a wetsuit. Just be aware that this spot can get a crowd at times, so get in early.
The 30th and 31st of August are worth mentioning as a backup. The swell is 5 to 6 feet from the E, with a nice 10 to 11-second period, but the wind is a light cross-onshore from the NE and NNE. It’s marginal, but it’s better than the garbage before it. The energy is moderate (571 to 755).
So, the long and short of it: the first two weeks are mostly a write-off. Hold out for that Thursday the 3rd of September. That’s your window.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 152mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Fri night, strong winds from the ESE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | NE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 163 | 190 | 177 | 157 | 52 | 51 | 67 | 74 | 121 | 176 | 364 | 554 | 986 | 2893 | 2772 | 1872 | 1124 | 817 | 597 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:33AM0.70m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 00:34AM0.22m | 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 | |||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  |  |  |  |  | | | |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 6:46 | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 20 | 94 | 21 | 8 | 10 |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | NW 12 | E 9 | SSE 12 | E 8 |
| kJ | 163 | 190 | 177 | 157 | 52 | 51 | 67 | 38 | 121 | 176 | 364 | 554 | 986 | 2893 | 2772 | 6 | 1124 | 15 | 597 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | SE 9 | N 6 | SE 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | NE 7 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SE 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 13 | NW 11 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 39 | 21 | 20 | 29 | 34 | 41 | 49 | 27 | 34 | 61 | 21 | 21 | 249 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 5 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | NNE 7 | SE 9 | S 16 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 |
| kJ | 24 | 9 | 21 | 5 | 21 | 50 | 32 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 36 | 50 | 5 | 20 | 5 | 19 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | E 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1872 | — | 817 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 20 | 95 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 74 | 74 | 14 | 96 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 18 | 17 |
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.
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