Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, ENE swell with 2,499 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here with the lowdown.
The forecast right now is a classic short-burst scenario. We get one wicked day of surf to kick things off, but then the whole program turns to junk for a solid week and a half. The only move that makes sense is to go hard on the first day.
That standout window is Pohoiki on Monday afternoon, July 27th. You’re looking at a 7ft east swell with a 14-second period—long period groundswell that’s got some serious weight, packing a combined energy of 1888. The water temp is a comfortable 80°, which is normal for this time of year. What makes this one special is the wind: a cross-offshore from the NNW at 19 mph, keeping the reef faces glassy. This spot works best with an east swell, so the direction is dialed right in. It’s a beginner-friendly reef, but at 7ft with that power, it’s stepping up for the intermediates.
After that one good day, it goes south. Tuesday morning is still big, pushing 10ft from the east-northeast with 12-second period, but it’s flagged as marginal. The energy is big (2696), but the overall quality rating is low.
Starting Wednesday, July 29th and running right through to at least August 10th, it’s a rough run. The swell stays between 3ft and 7ft, but the period drops to a pathetic 7 or 8 seconds, and the wind is almost always cross-onshore, onshore, or creating chop. The energy is weak to moderate (271-943). There’s a little breather on August 2nd and 4th when the wind lightens up, but the swell just isn’t there to make it worthwhile. You’re looking at an 11-day stretch of unrideable or marginal conditions.
The second week sees the swell shrink further. By August 11th, we’re down to 4ft from the northeast with a 9-second period and onshore winds. It’s a dead end.
So here’s the plan: don’t sleep on that Monday afternoon. That’s your one shot at real, clean surf. After that, the paddle board can stay in the garage. Might be time to check the kite gear.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | E 13 | ENE 12 | NE 11 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1632 | 2254 | 2213 | 1338 | 329 | 207 | 353 | 302 | 302 | 337 | 355 | 412 | 464 | 497 | 575 | 567 | 627 | 554 | 446 | 385 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:52PM0.98m | 2:22AM0.53m | 3:22PM1.01m | 2:58AM0.56m | 3:50PM1.02m | 3:34AM0.59m | 4:16PM1.01m | 4:11AM0.63m | 4:41PM0.98m | 4:50AM0.66m | 5:06PM0.93m | 5:33AM0.68m | 5:32PM0.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:39PM0.28m | 8:13AM0.07m | 10:03PM0.26m | 8:48AM0.06m | 10:27PM0.23m | 9:22AM0.07m | 10:51PM0.21m | 9:56AM0.11m | 11:15PM0.19m | 10:32AM0.17m | 11:41PM0.17m | 11:12AM0.25m | 00:08AM0.16m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | — | 4 | 2 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 13 | ENE 12 | NE 11 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 15 | ENE 8 | E 13 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 1632 | 2254 | 2213 | 1338 | 329 | 207 | 353 | 302 | 302 | 190 | 290 | 353 | 329 | 497 | 575 | 567 | 381 | 554 | 229 | 385 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | NNE 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | SSW 12 | E 14 | N 9 | E 13 |
| kJ | 218 | 200 | 184 | 200 | 147 | 187 | 181 | 173 | 108 | 72 | 46 | 84 | 75 | 246 | 246 | 333 | 28 | 264 | 15 | 168 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | S 10 | S 16 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | N 8 | S 16 | S 16 | E 17 | S 14 | S 13 | N 9 | N 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SE 8 | N 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 35 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 265 | 64 | 46 | 76 | 95 | 64 | 56 | 14 | 14 | 48 | 46 | 43 | 11 | 17 | 36 | 57 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | ENE 8 | — | ENE 8 | — |
| kJ | 221 | 217 | 294 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 337 | 355 | 412 | 464 | — | — | — | 627 | — | 446 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 44 | 209 | 44 | 0 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 209 | 36 | 35 | 211 | 132 | 42 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 211 | 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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