
Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, NE swell with 4,642 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period with S 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. 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 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 13s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for Pohoiki over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a slow start. For the first few days, we’ve got onshore winds and messy conditions that just aren’t worth paddling out for. You’re looking at a bit of a drought until things finally start to turn.
The real story begins to shape up around Wednesday, August 12th. We start to see a long-period groundswell (18 seconds) sneaking in from the south, but it’s only 3ft and the cross-shore wind is still messing with the surface. The energy is building though – you can feel it in the numbers (822). It’s still marginal, not a standout, but a sign of things to come.
Now, let’s talk about the true standout of the forecast. That’s Sunday morning, August 16th. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is pretty average for this time of year – no surprises there. But the waves? We’ve got a solid 12ft swell pushing in from the NE with a period of 12 seconds. The combined energy is massive (4093), and the wind is swinging around to a light NNW, giving us clean, cross-off conditions. This is the one. Pohoiki is an exposed reef break, and that northeast swell direction is right in its wheelhouse. The sets will be powerful and lined up. But listen – at 12ft, this is expert territory. If you’re not comfortable in heavy, overhead reef waves, give this one a miss. It’ll be a show to watch, though. The crowd factor here is listed as “sometimes,” so expect a few locals out, but it won’t be a circus.
After that high, the surf drops off quickly. By Monday the 17th, we’re back to small, onshore chop. There’s a brief flicker of life on Saturday the 22nd with a 7ft east swell, but the wind stays cross-onshore, keeping it bumpy. It’s a marginal call at best.
So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly a write-off. The only day worth circling on the calendar is Sunday morning, August 16th – that’s your window for some serious, heavy reef waves if you’ve got the skill. Everything else is either small, windy, or both. It’s a frustrating start, but that one morning makes up for it.
Stay stoked, and I’ll see you out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | E 10 | E 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
516 | 466 | 454 | 359 | 302 | 332 | 294 | 270 | 277 | 620 | 579 | 879 | 815 | 653 | 619 | 598 | 1488 | 1626 | 2186 | 4086 | 4398 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:34PM1.04m | 1:09AM0.50m | 2:18PM1.09m | 2:03AM0.56m | 2:57PM1.11m | 2:50AM0.63m | 3:32PM1.10m | 3:34AM0.69m | 4:05PM1.05m | 4:17AM0.73m | 4:35PM0.98m | 5:00AM0.76m | 5:02PM0.88m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:34PM0.28m | 7:00AM0.04m | 9:06PM0.22m | 7:52AM0.01m | 9:37PM0.18m | 8:39AM0.01m | 10:06PM0.15m | 9:23AM0.05m | 10:35PM0.13m | 10:06AM0.11m | 11:02PM0.13m | 10:48AM0.20m | 11:29PM0.13m | ||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | |
mm | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | S 17 | E 8 | S 16 | S 15 | ENE 8 | E 10 | E 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 |
516 | 466 | 454 | 359 | 302 | 332 | 294 | 270 | 277 | 202 | 579 | 272 | 815 | 653 | 471 | 598 | 1488 | 1626 | 2186 | 4086 | 4398 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 16 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 18 | SSW 13 | S 16 | — | SW 19 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 |
102 | 134 | 129 | 228 | 231 | 176 | 215 | 261 | 239 | 620 | 173 | 879 | — | 14 | 619 | 508 | 405 | 361 | 284 | 284 | 253 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 11 | NNW 8 | SSW 20 | S 19 | SSW 13 | SE 10 | SSE 13 | — | SW 19 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 14 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 18 |
57 | 50 | 48 | 35 | 32 | 25 | 13 | 135 | 270 | 173 | 23 | 16 | — | 14 | 36 | 42 | 72 | 50 | 73 | 49 | 150 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | E 8 | ENE 8 | — | NE 7 | NE 8 | — | NNE 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 265 | — | 333 | 402 | — | 194 | 232 | — | 339 | 8 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 211 | 36 | 35 | 211 | 213 | 35 | 37 | 121 | 35 | 211 | 211 | 116 | 110 | 116 | 44 | 211 | 110 | 44 | 209 | 110 | 46 |
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.











