Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, S swell with 774 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pohoiki this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Pohoiki in the next 16 days are 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 16s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. We’re taking a 16-day look at Pohoiki, and I’ll be honest, it’s a grim run. Hardly any windows of clean, rideable surf. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a big gap at the start. The first time you might even consider paddling out is Sunday afternoon, August 23rd. The water is 82°F, which is about 2°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so it’s a bit on the warm side.
That Sunday afternoon (Aug 23) is our first and only early option. It’s not pretty, but it’s there. The swell is 8ft from the ESE with a 9-second period. The combined energy is moderate (967). The wind is a cross-on from the NE at 6 mph, which makes it a bit choppy, plus there’s a risk of thunderstorms. It’s marginal, but it’s the best we’ve got for a while.
Then it all goes south. From Monday morning (Aug 24) right through the rest of the month, the conditions are poor. The wind stays cross-on or cross from the ENE or NE at 9-16 mph, turning the surf into a mess. There’s a weird moment on Wednesday morning (Aug 26) with a 2ft swell from the south at a very long 18 seconds, but the energy is moderate (465) and the cross-on wind kills it. That long period at a reef like Pohoiki can sometimes work, but not with that wind.
The only real standout, and it’s a long shot this far out, is Sunday morning, September 6th. The swell is 8ft from the NE with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1492). The wind is cross from the NE at 13 mph, which is much better than the constant cross-on. For a reef break, that’s a solid combo. It’s only rated as marginal, but it’s the only time in the whole 16 days where the swell and wind line up. The water will still be warm.
The gap between the first poor surf and the 6th of September is a brutal 12 days of mostly unsurfable chop. After the 6th, Monday the 7th drops off again.
If you’re a kite surfer, the entire period from August 24th to September 4th has steady cross-onshore winds and plenty of bumpy, choppy 5ft+ surf. That’s your zone, not mine.
For a paddle surfer, your only real hope is to keep an eye on that Sunday, September 6th. It’s a long wait, and the forecast is shaky.
Stay sharp.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | S 18 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 880 | 617 | 476 | 470 | 217 | 398 | 337 | 226 | 230 | 373 | 398 | 774 | 254 | 242 | 206 | 197 | 126 | 173 | 210 | 186 |
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-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 00:58AM0.48m | 1:54PM0.93m | 1:36AM0.53m | 2:22PM0.97m | 2:11AM0.60m | 2:48PM0.99m | 2:44AM0.66m | 3:13PM0.98m | 3:19AM0.72m | 3:38PM0.96m | 3:54AM0.77m | 4:03PM0.91m | 4:31AM0.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:25PM0.31m | 6:39AM0.16m | 8:41PM0.28m | 7:21AM0.12m | 8:59PM0.24m | 7:58AM0.10m | 9:18PM0.20m | 8:34AM0.09m | 9:39PM0.17m | 9:09AM0.11m | 10:01PM0.14m | 9:46AM0.15m | 10:24PM0.11m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — |
mm | 5 | 13 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | S 16 | S 16 | ENE 8 | S 18 | SSW 17 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | SSW 14 | S 14 | NE 6 | ESE 7 | E 13 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 880 | 617 | 476 | 470 | 217 | 131 | 183 | 226 | 230 | 304 | 212 | 221 | 183 | 209 | 189 | 194 | 91 | 94 | 168 | 186 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 18 | ESE 9 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | ESE 8 | E 13 | S 13 | E 12 |
| kJ | 87 | 87 | 105 | 101 | 89 | 85 | 82 | 163 | 52 | 373 | 398 | 774 | 254 | 206 | 206 | 139 | 99 | 173 | 160 | 144 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 16 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | N 9 | S 15 | S 16 | N 7 | E 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 91 | 121 | 73 | 48 | 89 | 27 | 26 | 107 | 106 | 46 | 99 | 6 | 218 | 242 | 10 | 26 | 126 | 121 | 14 | 69 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | E 7 | ENE 7 | — | NE 6 | ENE 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 196 | 398 | 337 | — | 183 | 245 | — | — | — | — | 176 | 197 | — | 134 | 210 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 36 | 211 | 40 | 35 | 211 | 132 | 37 | 37 | 121 | 35 | 37 | 211 | 123 | 211 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 211 | 123 |
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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