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Surf Forecasts:
Makalawena surfForecast / HAW – Big Island / USA
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 Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 3rd May) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 3rd May) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (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 ForecastLight 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 SummaryLight 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 13 | |
51 | 47 | 42 | 30 | 103 | 89 | 87 | 43 | 41 | 39 | 35 | 93 | 141 | 221 | 168 | 148 | 116 | 82 | 59 | 57 | 113 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | |
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) | SSW 14 | NNE 5 | S 13 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | S 14 | NW 11 | NW 13 |
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) | NNE 6 | SSW 14 | NNE 6 | S 13 | NW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | NW 10 | NNE 4 | NW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 17 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 15 | NW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
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) | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | SSW 13 | NE 6 | SSW 16 | NNE 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 18 | S 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | SSW 11 |
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) | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | — | NNE 7 | N 3 | — | — | NW 9 | — | SSW 6 | — | — | S 9 | — | SW 5 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 7 | 13 | — | 9 | 2 | — | — | 21 | — | 3 | — | — | 15 | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.












