Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, E swell with 694 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with ESE 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s is also forecast. 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 2.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 8AM. 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet. Let’s run through it.
The first few days at Pohoiki are a total bust. From Friday, August 28th through Monday, September 1st, it’s all onshore junk and chop. The swell is tiny, winds are blowing 12 to 16 mph, and the ocean looks like a washing machine. Just don’t bother.
Things start to turn a corner on Tuesday, September 1st, but it’s still not great. The real highlight, and I mean the only true standout in the whole 16-day run, is Sunday, September 6th. We’ve got a solid ENE groundswell rolling in at about 6ft with a nice, long 12-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, meaning more energy and better-shaped waves. The combined energy is strong (1010 to 1034). The wind is a clean, glassy cross-offshore breeze from the north at 9 to 12 mph, perfect for the reef. The water temp is about normal for this time of year. The wave report says "clean," and I agree. This is the day for anyone who can handle a bit of size at a reef break. Crowds are possible, but it’s not a total free-for-all.
Before that, Saturday, September 5th offers a similar-sized swell with a little more cross-shore wind, so it could still be a fun, punchy session. The rest of the run into the 12th of September offers consistent 5 to 6ft swells from the ENE and NE with clean mornings and cross-off breezes. It’s a solid pattern, but nothing else has that magic combo of big, clean swell and perfect wind like that Sunday.
Lock in Sunday the 6th. That’s the call.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 16 | S 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 11 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | S 18 | S 17 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 242 | 206 | 206 | 176 | 146 | 144 | 168 | 180 | 186 | 81 | 207 | 250 | 299 | 300 | 515 | 443 | 417 | 497 | 647 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:19AM0.72m | 3:38PM0.96m | 3:54AM0.77m | 4:03PM0.91m | 4:31AM0.81m | 4:27PM0.85m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:52PM0.77m | 5:58AM0.84m | 5:18PM0.68m | 6:56AM0.82m | 5:43PM0.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:39PM0.17m | 9:09AM0.11m | 10:01PM0.14m | 9:46AM0.15m | 10:24PM0.11m | 10:25AM0.20m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:08AM0.28m | 11:16PM0.10m | 11:58AM0.36m | 11:48PM0.11m | 1:07PM0.44m | 00:29AM0.14m | ||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 6:37 | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | 6 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | — | 8 | 3 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 |
| kJ | 198 | 168 | 147 | 74 | 88 | 68 | 168 | 180 | 98 | 79 | 207 | 250 | 299 | 300 | 289 | 319 | 406 | 497 | 334 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | S 10 | SE 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 206 | 189 | 184 | 78 | 84 | 144 | 91 | 59 | 77 | 75 | 78 | 29 | 292 | 333 | 515 | 443 | 417 | 381 | 108 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | ENE 9 | S 10 | SE 8 | S 13 | E 14 | E 16 | E 14 | E 14 | E 12 |
| kJ | 242 | 206 | 206 | 171 | 146 | 107 | 68 | 69 | 129 | 81 | 27 | 49 | 29 | 78 | 15 | 77 | 199 | 129 | 279 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 6 | — | NE 6 | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 176 | — | 91 | — | — | 186 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 647 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 37 | 211 | 116 | 37 | 211 | 37 | 39 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 110 | 121 | 44 | 37 | 37 | 35 | 37 | 37 | 121 |
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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