Surf Forecasts:
Hakalau surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, ENE swell with 519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with ENE 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 (Aug 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hakalau in the next 16 days are 1.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hakalau over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s your local surf reporter Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Hakalau.
Look, I’ll be straight with you – the first week is a bit of a grind. We’ve got swell on the way, but the wind is just not playing ball. For the first few days, from Saturday the 29th right through to the end of the first week, it’s a real struggle. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf quality is just poor. Don’t even bother paddling out on Saturday or Sunday – it’s messy, choppy, and the conditions are dreadful. Monday the 31st is no better, and that trend sticks with us.
We finally get a bit of a glimmer on Thursday the 3rd of September. The swell picks up a notch, with a combined energy of 535 (moderate), but the wind is still cross-onshore, so it’s only marginal. The morning of the 4th is similar, but by the afternoon, we see a nice jump in period to 12 seconds (groundswell), and the energy bumps up to 754 (moderate). The wind is still a bit cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The real standout, and the one you’ve been waiting for, is Monday the 7th of September. That morning, the swell cranks up to 15 ft from the east, with a long period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 8202 (very strong). The wind is a light cross-onshore breeze, which will keep things relatively clean. This is a big, powerful groundswell, and it’s going to be a serious affair. For experienced surfers only – this is not a day for beginners. The swell is over 8 ft, it’s powerful, and it’s going to be a handful. The afternoon looks a bit more cross-shore, so the morning is your best bet.
After that, the swell backs off quickly. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are back to marginal conditions with smaller, shorter-period swell and persistent cross-onshore winds. The energy levels drop, and it’s just not worth the paddle. From the 11th onwards, it’s back to poor surf conditions with onshore winds, so we’re done.
To sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The only true standout is Monday the 7th of September – a big, powerful east swell, but it’s for the experts. If you’re not up for that, you’re looking at a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon night, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 173 | 192 | 198 | 223 | 191 | 113 | 138 | 314 | 306 | 378 | 418 | 365 | 314 | 271 | 229 | 308 | 242 | 367 | 395 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:32AM0.75m | 3:43PM0.91m | 4:10AM0.79m | 4:05PM0.84m | 4:52AM0.81m | 4:27PM0.77m | 5:40AM0.81m | 4:48PM0.69m | 6:40AM0.80m | 5:04PM0.62m | 8:05AM0.79m | 4:48PM0.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:42PM0.18m | 9:24AM0.17m | 10:04PM0.15m | 10:02AM0.24m | 10:29PM0.13m | 10:43AM0.31m | 10:56PM0.12m | 11:32AM0.40m | 11:27PM0.12m | 12:38PM0.49m | 00:07AM0.15m | 3:14PM0.54m | 1:05AM0.18m | ||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 6:38 | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — |
mm | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 4 | 2 | — | 5 | 4 | 2 | 8 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | ENE 7 | E 12 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 9 |
| kJ | 96 | 192 | 144 | 223 | 96 | 113 | 86 | 314 | 306 | 378 | 418 | 365 | 314 | 271 | 229 | 217 | 152 | 367 | 395 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 12 | S 13 | E 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | E 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 12 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 173 | 146 | 13 | 94 | 81 | 75 | 57 | 28 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 22 | 48 | 116 | 308 | 242 | 134 | 107 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | — | S 12 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 12 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | ESE 9 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | S 14 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 31 | 31 | — | 11 | 61 | 54 | 49 | 20 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 15 | 32 | 28 | 73 | 117 | 141 | 36 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | — | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 97 | — | 198 | — | 191 | — | 138 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 95 | 20 | 96 | 14 | 122 | 95 | 95 | 20 | 158 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 158 | 122 | 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.
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