
Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, NE swell with 2,593 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with NNE 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles.
The next two weeks at Hakalau are a real mixed bag – mostly on the disappointing side. The water temp is about normal for the season, so no weirdness there.
Right off the bat, the first few days are a total waste. Small, junky, onshore slop. Don’t even think about it.
The first real chance comes on Sunday 26 July morning. We’re looking at a 4ft swell from the east, but it’s got a 14-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is light from the ENE, almost glassy. The combined energy is 784 (moderate), but it’s flagged as marginal due to tide or shape. Still, this is your best window for a clean, easy session.
Then it gets heavy. On Tuesday 28 July morning, the swell jumps to 8ft from the ENE with a 12-second period. Combined energy is 2224 (strong). That’s a lot of power, but a moderate cross-shore from the north is making it choppy. Not for beginners – this is big, rough surf for experts only.
The rest of the week is a wash – onshore winds, short-period junk, with swell between 4ft and 7ft. The period drops to 8–9 seconds, so it’s weak windswell.
Another standout shows up on Sunday 2 August morning. Swell is 4ft from the east, but with a very long 16-second period. Combined energy is 1184 (moderate). The wind is a gentle cross-onshore from the east, so it’s a little bumpy, but still the best power session of the second week. That long period will really suit the river mouth.
Honestly, the best bet is Sunday 26 July morning for the cleanest conditions, and Sunday 2 August morning for the most powerful, well-shaped swell.
If you’re a beginner, stay out of the water on the 8ft days. And with all the onshore wind, this might be more of a kiteboarding spot than a paddler’s paradise.
That’s the story.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 10 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
177 | 229 | 310 | 229 | 192 | 329 | 492 | 585 | 764 | 991 | 1228 | 1376 | 1961 | 2263 | 1338 | 482 | 437 | 406 | 336 | 329 | 337 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 3:36PM1.00m | 3:06AM0.59m | 4:01PM0.99m | 3:44AM0.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:28AM0.06m | 10:11PM0.29m | 9:01AM0.08m | 10:34PM0.27m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
— | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NNE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 10 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | S 13 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
177 | 229 | 310 | 158 | 186 | 221 | 276 | 217 | 764 | 991 | 1228 | 1376 | 1961 | 2263 | 1338 | 482 | 437 | 3 | 336 | 329 | 337 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | E 16 | E 14 | E 13 | NNE 8 | E 7 | E 14 | E 14 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | S 15 | NNE 7 | S 14 | SE 10 | SE 9 | S 14 | ESE 9 | S 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 |
73 | 77 | 99 | 84 | 192 | 108 | 492 | 585 | 164 | 142 | 4 | 172 | 94 | 15 | 13 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 21 | 72 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 16 | E 12 | E 14 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 7 | SE 9 | — | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 12 | S 16 | S 13 | E 18 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 |
30 | 27 | 26 | 20 | 109 | 329 | 16 | 32 | 68 | 14 | — | 15 | 9 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | NNE 9 | N 7 | — | SE 4 | — | ENE 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 229 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 140 | — | 254 | 154 | — | 17 | — | 406 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 20 | 16 | 98 | 96 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 95 | 98 | 96 | 72 | 95 | 72 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 |
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.










