Surf Forecasts:
Pohoiki surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, E swell with 623 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m 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 1.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 22s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pohoiki over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about Pohoiki.
Right now, the vibe is pretty flat. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor surf that starts on the 16th of July and runs straight through to the 22nd. The combined energy is weak, around 244, and the wind is mostly cross-onshore, making it choppy. The water's sitting at 80°, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
From Thursday the 16th through to Wednesday the 22nd, it’s just a grind. The swell is small, under 4 ft, and coming from the ENE or ESE with short periods around 6 to 7 seconds. The energy is low, barely registering (155 to 987). The wind is a constant problem, keeping things messy. There’s really nothing to get excited about here.
The first real moment of hope comes on the morning of Monday the 27th of July. The wind finally turns cross-offshore from the north, and it gets clean. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the east with a long 15-second period. The combined energy is strong (2609). This is the standout. The size is getting up there, so it’s more for the experienced crew, but the direction is a solid match for Pohoiki’s optimum east swell. It’s still a bit inconsistent, but when those sets roll in, they’ll have some punch.
Then Tuesday the 28th of July morning sees the swell pushing 12 ft from the ENE with a 13-second period. That’s big, expert-only territory. The energy is huge (3755). The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but the power is undeniable. Tuesday afternoon is similar, with an 12 ft swell from the NE.
After that, it drops off quickly. By Wednesday the 30th of July, the swell is fading back to 3 ft with weak energy, and the wind goes back onshore. The run is over.
So, the only real window is Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th of July. Monday morning is the pick of the bunch for the best quality.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 123 | 66 | 73 | 104 | 125 | 341 | 587 | 546 | 392 | 253 | 393 | 264 | 496 | 520 | 506 | 390 | 363 | 284 | 623 | 235 | 396 |
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-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:13PM1.06m | 5:23AM0.62m | 5:47PM0.97m | 6:17AM0.64m | 6:18PM0.87m | 7:17AM0.66m | 6:46PM0.76m | 8:27AM0.67m | 7:13PM0.66m | 9:50AM0.70m | 7:38PM0.57m | 11:13AM0.75m | 8:21PM0.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:16AM0.06m | 11:56PM0.18m | 11:02AM0.15m | 00:30AM0.18m | 11:49AM0.25m | 1:04AM0.18m | 12:42PM0.37m | 1:39AM0.19m | 1:51PM0.46m | 2:18AM0.20m | 3:45PM0.52m | 3:05AM0.21m | 6:47PM0.49m | 4:03AM0.22m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — |
mm | 2 | — | 7 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 13 | E 6 | E 12 |
| kJ | 123 | 59 | 43 | 104 | 125 | 341 | 477 | 546 | 392 | 253 | 213 | 191 | 496 | 520 | 506 | 111 | 111 | 97 | 623 | 97 | 396 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 17 | N 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | NNE 6 | S 18 | S 16 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | S 14 | S 14 | E 13 | S 13 | E 12 | SSW 22 |
| kJ | 26 | 30 | 237 | 40 | 198 | 167 | 150 | 156 | 82 | 32 | 393 | 264 | 115 | 109 | 83 | 390 | 363 | 284 | 264 | 235 | 480 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSW 18 | SE 8 | S 16 | NNE 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 | S 16 | NNE 8 | S 18 | NNE 6 | N 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 14 | E 14 | S 13 | SSW 24 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 20 | 174 | 28 | 131 | 38 | 28 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 169 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 56 | 51 | 264 | 324 | 173 | 441 | 206 | 103 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | — |
| kJ | 75 | 66 | 73 | 22 | 42 | — | 587 | — | — | — | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 100 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 37 | 35 | 37 | 37 | 116 | 121 | 120 | 110 | 211 | 211 | 37 | 37 | 211 | 35 | 209 | 37 | 36 | 121 | 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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