
Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, ENE swell with 1,064 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with NE 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 0.8m 16s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with ya – this is a tough stretch for Pohoiki. We're looking at a full week of pretty ordinary conditions before things start to show a bit of promise. For the next seven days, from Saturday the 12th right through to Friday the 18th, it's mostly cross-shore and cross-onshore winds, with the swell bouncing around from the ENE. The waves will be on the small side, mostly in the 2 ft to 4 ft range, and the wind is just messing with 'em, making for choppy, poor surf. There's a bit more energy on Wednesday the 16th with a combined swell energy reading of 339 to 451 (moderate), but that comes with a risk of thunderstorms and winds up to 16 mph, so it's not a pretty picture. By Thursday the 17th, the swell really pumps up to 8 ft, and the energy jumps to over 1185 (strong), but the wind is still a problem, blowing cross-on at 16 mph and making it a choppy, messy affair. That size is getting up there, too – definitely only for the experienced crew.
Honestly, nothing in that first week is worth paddling out for. It's a real bummer.
Now, looking ahead, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Around Tuesday the 22nd, we finally see the wind ease up a bit. The swell drops back to a manageable 5 ft from the east with a 10-second period, and the wind goes cross-shore. The energy is a decent 585 to 650 (moderate). It's still just a marginal call, but it's the best we've had in a while.
The standout of the whole outlook, if you can wait, is Wednesday the 23rd. That morning, we get some clouds, but the wind goes straight onshore from the east at just 6 mph. This is key, because the swell is a solid 5 ft from the ENE with a 10-second period, giving us a combined energy of 680 (moderate). That onshore wind, especially when it's that light, can actually groom the face of the reef here if it's got the right angle. Given the underlying conditions, this is the cleanest it's gonna get. It's a reef break, so that longer period (10 seconds) should give it some push. Thursday the 24th looks similar in size but the wind gets a little more cross-on, so Wednesday morning is your window.
The rest of the second week (the 25th to the 27th) fades back into small, wind-affected dribble. So if you want a wave, you gotta be patient.
Alright, that's the story for Pohoiki. Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 78mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
121 | 92 | 121 | 121 | 121 | 102 | 88 | 69 | 99 | 74 | 84 | 279 | 243 | 328 | 838 | 1041 | 791 | 683 | 505 | 439 | 542 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:54PM0.85m | 4:33AM0.89m | 4:18PM0.76m | 5:10AM0.88m | 4:39PM0.68m | 5:49AM0.85m | 4:57PM0.60m | 6:35AM0.80m | 5:07PM0.54m | 7:38AM0.75m | 4:25PM0.49m | 9:18AM0.72m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 9:56AM0.18m | 10:08PM0.08m | 10:36AM0.24m | 10:31PM0.09m | 11:17AM0.31m | 10:55PM0.12m | 12:02PM0.38m | 11:19PM0.15m | 1:01PM0.45m | 11:46PM0.20m | 3:30PM0.48m | 00:23AM0.24m | 1:37AM0.29m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 41 | 19 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | E 6 | E 10 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
121 | 92 | 121 | 121 | 121 | 102 | 88 | 69 | 99 | 74 | 71 | 279 | 243 | 328 | 676 | 1041 | 791 | 683 | 505 | 439 | 542 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 12 | E 6 | E 11 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
61 | 82 | 30 | 54 | 51 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 73 | 28 | 84 | 44 | 19 | 79 | 64 | 210 | 197 | 276 | 249 | 237 | 186 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | NE 8 | S 10 | SSW 14 | E 14 | E 14 | SE 8 | E 11 | NNE 8 | SE 8 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 |
21 | 21 | 27 | 72 | 8 | 20 | 16 | 32 | 20 | 60 | 20 | 18 | 79 | 61 | 75 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 5 | NE 5 | NE 8 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 23 | 12 | 57 | 38 | 43 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 838 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 53 | 0 | 37 | 110 | 0 | 37 | 121 | 36 | 121 | 37 | 37 | 121 | 116 | 37 | 121 | 36 |
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.










