Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with 1,065 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pohoiki this week:
The surf forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pohoiki in the next 16 days are 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 17s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a quiet stretch ahead at Pohoiki (Pohoiki) on the Big Island, with hardly any surf on offer for the next week, but a promising pulse of energy building toward the end of the 16-day window.
Water temps are sittin' around 81°, right about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The outlook starts with a small window Wednesday morning, the 19th of August. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the ENE, with a short 8-second period pushing a weak 292 units of combined energy. The wind is out of the north at 9 mph, holding cross-off and keeping things clean. It’s not gonna light the world on fire, but it’s surfable and clean for a beginner-level session. After that, the charts dry up fast. The rest of August goes pretty flat and messy—cross-shore and onshore winds, small windswell, and a lot of poor conditions. There’s a gap that runs from the 19th afternoon all the way through the 31st, with only a couple of marginal moments worth mentioning.
Things start to get interesting on the 1st of September. Tuesday morning, the swell climbs to 8ft from the E, with a long 11-second period that’s packing a solid 1663 units of energy. Winds are from the NE at 12 mph, cross-shore, and while it’s not glassy, it’s manageable. This is a standout for the whole outlook—big, powerful groundswell, and it’s pushin’ into the upper end of the size range, so this one’s for the experienced crew. The reef at Pohoiki will handle that long-period energy well, though sets will be a bit more spaced out. Wednesday the 2nd holds similar, with 8ft ENE groundswell, same period, and lighter NE winds at 9 mph in the morning—slightly better for clean conditions. That morning session on the 2nd is the pick of the bunch, with gentle cross-shore breezes and a touch less chop.
By Thursday the 3rd, the swell eases slightly to 8ft from the NE, period still 9 seconds, and a light cross-on flow from the NE at 6 mph. It’s still got some kick, but the wind turns a little onshore, and energy drops to 1046 units. It’s marginal but still a notch above the rest of the week.
Overall, the first week is a dud, but the opening of September brings a real shot of quality. If you’re an experienced surfer and can wait, the 1st and 2nd are your best calls. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but it’s looking promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 192 | 181 | 142 | 62 | 57 | 61 | 90 | 157 | 280 | 529 | 813 | 1043 | 1043 | 854 | 635 | 621 | 572 | 476 | 418 | 321 | 270 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:41AM0.72m | 5:46PM0.53m | 10:24AM0.73m | 11:51AM0.77m | 10:10PM0.40m | 12:44PM0.82m | 00:08AM0.43m | 1:22PM0.88m | 00:58AM0.48m | 1:54PM0.93m | 1:36AM0.53m | 2:22PM0.97m | 2:11AM0.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:24PM0.52m | 1:39AM0.24m | 2:55AM0.26m | 8:37PM0.40m | 8:14PM0.36m | 5:48AM0.21m | 8:25PM0.31m | 6:39AM0.16m | 8:41PM0.28m | 7:21AM0.12m | 8:59PM0.24m | ||||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 192 | 181 | 142 | 62 | 57 | 57 | 90 | 157 | 280 | 529 | 813 | 1043 | 1043 | 854 | 635 | 621 | 572 | 476 | 418 | 321 | 270 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 16 | S 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 16 | S 18 |
| kJ | 71 | 41 | 41 | 54 | 37 | 61 | 44 | 87 | 130 | 46 | 44 | 92 | 99 | 89 | 121 | 105 | 101 | 90 | 85 | 183 | 163 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SW 16 | NNE 7 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSW 16 | SSE 13 | SSW 15 | S 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 16 | S 16 | SSW 12 | S 14 |
| kJ | 29 | 71 | 44 | 51 | 50 | 47 | 21 | 40 | 15 | 73 | 71 | 99 | 60 | 91 | 87 | 49 | 48 | 87 | 131 | 48 | 107 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | NE 7 | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | 45 | 65 | — | — | — | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 110 | 0 | 106 | 107 | 35 | 36 | 116 | 35 | 116 | 121 | 110 | 116 | 36 | 35 | 211 | 36 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 35 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Pohoiki Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Pohoiki provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pohoiki can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pohoiki 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 (Pohoiki) 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 Pohoiki 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.
Pohoiki is 39 km (24 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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