Makalawena surfForecast / HAW – Big Island / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Sunday 03 May 2026 HST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Makalawena surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Makalawena sea temperature is
25.6° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Makalawena this week:

The surf forecast for Makalawena over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 03) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Makalawena in the next 16 days are 0.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 14s period and expected on Sunday (May 03) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 3rd May)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 3rd May)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Most Powerful11PM (Thu 7th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makalawena over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
12
0.4
NW
12
0.4
NW
11
0.4
NW
11
0.6
NW
13
0.6
NW
12
0.6
NW
12
0.4
NW
11
0.4
NW
11
0.4
NW
10
0.4
NW
10
0.4
NW
16
0.6
NW
15
0.8
NW
14
0.7
NW
13
0.7
NW
12
0.6
NW
12
0.6
NW
11
0.5
NW
11
0.5
NW
11
0.6
NW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
51
47
42
30
103
89
87
43
41
39
35
93
141
221
168
148
116
82
59
57
113
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
NE
10
WSW
10
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
5
W
10
SSW
10
WNW
15
N
5
S
10
WSW
10
SW
5
SW
10
WSW
15
SW
10
W
10
W
0
N
10
SSW
10
NW
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
cross
on
High Tide
5:11PM0.79m
4:47AM0.33m
5:49PM0.76m
5:20AM0.30m
6:32PM0.73m
6:01AM0.28m
7:19PM0.70m
7:07AM0.26m
8:12PM0.67m
9:04AM0.27m
9:09PM0.65m
10:58AM0.32m
10:05PM0.63m
12:00PM0.41m
Low Tide
00:21AM0.19m
10:18AM0.08m
1:13AM0.21m
10:47AM0.11m
2:15AM0.22m
11:19AM0.14m
3:26AM0.22m
11:56AM0.18m
4:29AM0.20m
12:53PM0.23m
5:11AM0.18m
2:33PM0.28m
5:42AM0.15m
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:50
5:50
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:47
6:47
6:47
6:49
6:49
6:50
6:50
6:50
1
1
3
Temp °C
25
25
25
25
25
25
26
25
25
26
25
26
26
25
26
26
25
24
25
25
25
27
27
27
26
29
26
29
27
28
27
27
28
27
27
28
27
27
27
28
29
26
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
NNE
5
0.6
S
13
0.6
NNE
6
0.6
NNE
6
0.6
NW
12
0.6
NW
12
0.4
NW
11
0.4
NW
11
0.5
S
16
0.5
SSW
16
0.5
S
15
0.6
NW
15
0.8
NW
14
0.7
NW
13
0.7
NW
12
0.6
NW
12
0.6
NW
11
0.5
S
14
0.5
NW
11
0.6
NW
13
Energy kJ
215
23
126
23
24
89
87
43
41
131
146
109
141
221
168
148
116
82
107
57
113
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
NNE
6
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
NNE
6
0.5
S
13
0.6
NW
13
0.4
SSW
12
0.3
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
NW
10
0.5
NNE
4
0.4
NW
16
0.5
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
14
0.5
S
17
0.4
SSW
16
0.5
S
16
0.5
S
15
0.5
NW
11
0.3
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
13
Energy kJ
35
160
20
87
103
49
28
102
102
39
10
93
121
75
151
90
129
109
59
31
58
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
12
0.4
NW
12
0.4
NW
11
0.4
NW
11
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
NE
6
0.3
SSW
16
0.3
NNE
6
0.3
SSW
11
0.3
SSW
11
0.4
NW
10
0.4
SSW
18
0.5
S
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
NNE
4
0.3
NNE
4
0.2
NNE
4
0.3
NNE
4
0.2
SSW
11
Energy kJ
51
47
42
30
53
10
52
8
24
23
35
108
162
103
58
58
8
3
1
3
12
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NNE
6
0.4
NNE
6
0.3
NNE
7
0.4
N
3
0.4
NW
9
0.2
SSW
6
0.3
S
9
0.1
SW
5
Energy kJ
7
13
9
2
21
3
15
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
100
0
98
25
22
98
0
23
98
19
25
98
25
14
98
98
99
100
18
38
98
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
3
3
2
3
1
2
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
2
2
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
5
4
5
9
9
5
6
5
9
7
9
6
5
4
5
9
4
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Makalawena Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Makalawena provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Makalawena can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Makalawena 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 (Makalawena) 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 Makalawena 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.

Makalawena is 100 km (62 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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