
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, E swell with 520 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hakalau this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8AM. 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 18s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into what’s happening at Hakalau. It’s a river mouth spot, exposed to the open ocean, and it’s got some potential hidden in a bumpy forecast, but we’ve got to be patient.
For the first week and a half, it’s a rough ride. From Thursday the 6th of August right through to Monday the 17th of August, the wind is a problem. It’s hammering in from the east and east-southeast, mostly cross-on or onshore, blowing anywhere from 6 to 12 mph. That’s keeping the surface choppy and messy. The swell is building, but it’s being trashed by the wind. The combined wave energy is moderate at first, hitting around 113, and then climbs into strong territory by the 9th, reaching 541, but it’s all poor surf conditions. This is a river break, and with the wind howling like that, it’s just not going to be clean. It’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session right now.
The water temperature is around average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
Now, the diamond in the rough. The real standout window is the afternoon of Thursday the 20th of August. The wind drops to absolutely nothing, glassy conditions. The swell is from the north-northeast at 3 ft, with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 271. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the one. The only real window of clean, rideable waves in the whole 16-day stretch. It’s small, but it’ll be glassy and perfect for a longboard or a funboard. Just be aware that crowds are possible here, so get out there early.
The swell is short-period, 8 seconds, so it won’t have that deep groundswell punch, but on a glassy afternoon, it’ll be fun. The morning of the 21st of August has a bit more size at 3.6 ft from the north-northeast, and the period bumps to 9 seconds, with a combined energy of 342, but it’s a light cross-onshore wind, so it’s not as clean as the glassy afternoon before it.
So, to sum it up: The first two weeks are a write-off thanks to the wind. The only truly good surf is that glassy afternoon on the 20th of August. If you can wait for it, it’ll be worth it. After that, the forecast gets shaky again. It’s a long wait, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 26°C on Wed night, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
114 | 84 | 82 | 42 | 67 | 91 | 105 | 108 | 138 | 458 | 520 | 383 | 307 | 291 | 291 | 283 | 248 | 202 | 248 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:13AM0.78m | 11:39AM0.86m | 9:02PM0.46m | 12:39PM0.95m | 11:25PM0.46m | 1:26PM1.03m | 00:41AM0.50m | 2:07PM1.08m | 1:36AM0.56m | 2:44PM1.09m | 2:25AM0.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:54AM0.17m | 3:07AM0.16m | 7:57PM0.46m | 4:30AM0.13m | 8:01PM0.39m | 5:42AM0.08m | 8:27PM0.34m | 6:42AM0.04m | 8:55PM0.29m | 7:33AM0.01m | 9:23PM0.25m | ||||||||
— | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
6:54 | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
114 | 84 | 82 | 42 | 67 | 83 | 105 | 108 | 138 | 458 | 520 | 383 | 307 | 291 | 291 | 283 | 248 | 202 | 147 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
17 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 11 | 91 | 89 | 82 | 58 | 31 | 14 | 112 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 33 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 10 | NNW 7 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 8 | N 7 | S 10 | SE 14 | N 12 | NNW 11 | NE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 16 | NNW 8 | S 20 |
10 | 10 | 10 | 28 | 5 | 21 | 40 | 45 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 23 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 |
— | — | — | — | 32 | — | — | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 248 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 95 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 158 | 16 | 18 | 160 | 16 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











