Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, ESE swell with 3,739 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with NNE 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 0.9m and 7s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM.
| 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 | 5AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, looking at the surf for Pohoiki. Let’s cut to it—this forecast has a slow start, and we’re waiting for the good stuff to line up. The water’s running about normal for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.
The first real surf window doesn’t open until Wednesday, September 2nd. There’s some solid energy coming in, but the wind is a killer. Early on, it’s cross-onshore and choppy, making it a mess. The swell hits about 7ft from the ENE with a short period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is strong (1544). You’ll be fighting the wind. Wednesday afternoon gets a slight bump in quality, but it’s still cross-shore and lumpy—maybe a wave if you’re patient.
Thursday, September 3rd, is a touch better. Swell from the ESE at 7ft to 7ft, with the period stretching to 10-11 seconds. That longer period means more grunt, but the wind is fresh cross-shore, so it’s bumpy. The energy is strong (over 1297), but clean it ain’t.
The one to circle is Wednesday, September 9th. That’s more than a week out, so keep it loose, but it looks promising. The morning has light offshore winds from the E at about 6 mph, with a 8ft swell from the NE at 9 seconds. That’s a big improvement. The wind will keep the surface glassy, and the combined swell energy is moderate (1082). It’s still a bit much for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the best bet. The swell direction is NE, and Pohoiki likes an E, so it’s close enough to work.
After that, Thursday, September 10th, throws a 10ft swell from the E with a short 8-second period. That’s expert-only, and the wind is cross-onshore, so it’ll be a wild one. The energy is very strong (1909), but the conditions will be rough.
The rest of the second week is small, weak, and onshore. Long gaps between anything worth paddling out for. Pohoiki is fairly consistent, but the wind just doesn’t play nice for most of this stretch.
For the strong, lumpy, onshore days from September 2nd through the 5th, a kite might have more fun than a paddle.
That Wednesday the 9th is your best shot. Don’t get your hopes up too high, but it’s the one to watch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 46mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Wed morning, strong winds from the ENE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | S 12 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 9 | S 11 | E 8 | E 13 | E 12 | ENE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 113 | 132 | 114 | 329 | 398 | 423 | 418 | 515 | 443 | 513 | 485 | 1252 | 2677 | 2621 | 3505 | 2003 | 1423 | 724 | 1657 | 1335 | 1002 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 4:27PM0.85m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:52PM0.77m | 5:58AM0.84m | 5:18PM0.68m | 6:56AM0.82m | 5:43PM0.59m | 8:15AM0.81m | 6:04PM0.51m | 9:58AM0.82m | 11:28AM0.88m | 10:59PM0.42m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:25AM0.20m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:08AM0.28m | 11:16PM0.10m | 11:58AM0.36m | 11:48PM0.11m | 1:07PM0.44m | 00:29AM0.14m | 3:17PM0.49m | 1:27AM0.17m | 3:01AM0.20m | 7:14PM0.35m | 4:45AM0.19m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | |  | |  | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | S 10 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | S 18 | NE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | E 8 | E 13 | E 12 | ENE 12 |
| kJ | 113 | 74 | 90 | 329 | 51 | 423 | 418 | 515 | 306 | 199 | 485 | 1252 | 2677 | 2621 | 3505 | 608 | 1423 | 724 | 1657 | 1335 | 1002 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | S 12 | E 7 | S 11 | S 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | ESE 9 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 14 | SSW 8 | S 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 59 | 132 | 59 | 79 | 188 | 292 | 333 | 16 | 443 | 513 | 376 | 275 | 264 | 195 | 125 | 171 | 324 | 223 | 25 | 54 | 55 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | E 10 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | S 10 | S 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSE 11 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | E 13 | SSE 10 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 69 | 52 | 82 | 107 | 64 | 28 | 74 | 21 | 68 | 37 | 165 | 153 | 73 | 74 | 134 | 134 | 87 | 495 | 55 | 73 | 46 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | — | NE 8 | — | — | NE 8 | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | E 7 | — | — |
| kJ | 81 | 112 | 114 | — | 398 | — | — | 371 | — | 250 | 248 | 137 | 194 | 160 | 1259 | 2003 | 1395 | — | 368 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 129 | 37 | 211 | 1 | 132 | 213 | 53 | 37 | 132 | 110 | 37 | 116 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 116 | 220 | 37 |
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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