Surf Forecasts:
Richardsons surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, E swell with 2,187 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Richardsons this week:
The surf forecast for Richardsons over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Richardsons in the next 16 days are 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 14s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Richardsons over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Alright, look, I've been staring at the charts for Richardsons, and I've got to be straight with you. For the next 16 days, it's a pretty bleak run. There are no standout sessions, no real windows of clean, rippable surf. The whole period is a struggle.
We start off on Tuesday, July 21st, with a weak, short-period 3ft swell from the east, but the wind is a cross-onshore breeze at 9 mph, just chopping it all up. The wave energy is weak (183), and the report says "poor surf conditions." That sums it up. Wednesday and Thursday are much the same story, with the wind turning onshore. The swell gets a little longer period on Wednesday, hitting 12 seconds, but it's still a poor, messy onshore affair. The wave energy is moderate (465), but the quality is just not there.
Thursday morning on the 23rd offers a glimmer with some light east-northeast winds at 3 mph, and a 4ft, 11-second swell. The rating is "marginal" at best, but it's the closest we get to a clean window. The swell energy is moderate (422), but don't get your hopes up.
Then from Friday the 24th right through to the end of the month, it's a constant grind of onshore or cross-onshore winds, with waves ranging from 3ft to 6ft. The wind is always in the 6-9 mph range, keeping the surface bumpy. The wave energy is moderate, but the scores are all zeroes or ones. The end of July and the start of August bring a bit of a swell increase, but the wind stays problematic.
The only real shift happens on the weekend of August 2nd and 3rd. We get a long-period groundswell from the east, with periods of 18-19 seconds and solid wave energy (up to 1039). The swell is 3ft to 4ft, and the wind is onshore from the northeast. While the long period suggests some power, the onshore wind will make it sloppy. This is a 'check it' situation, but it's not a call to cancel your plans. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Overall, for a reef break like Richardsons, this is a real test of patience. The best of a bad bunch is probably Thursday morning, July 23rd, with those light winds. But honestly, it's not a day to get excited about. For the rest of the time, with the wind so consistently onshore, the setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon night, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 25°C on Thu night, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 8 | E 17 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 132 | 93 | 113 | 132 | 430 | 344 | 350 | 396 | 220 | 181 | 143 | 191 | 287 | 142 | 367 | 984 | 1226 | 1705 | 1759 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:07AM0.57m | 7:32PM0.47m | 11:28AM0.63m | 7:34PM0.40m | 12:26PM0.69m | 9:37PM0.34m | 1:10PM0.74m | 11:25PM0.33m | 1:46PM0.78m | 00:30AM0.35m | 2:19PM0.81m | 1:18AM0.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:27AM0.07m | 3:45PM0.42m | 3:14AM0.07m | 7:14PM0.40m | 4:08AM0.06m | 8:21PM0.34m | 5:04AM0.04m | 8:34PM0.30m | 5:57AM0.02m | 8:51PM0.27m | 6:44AM-0.02m | 9:10PM0.24m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | 7:00 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — |
mm | 2 | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 |
| kJ | 132 | 93 | 113 | 96 | 430 | 344 | 350 | 396 | 89 | 181 | 143 | 191 | 287 | 142 | 221 | 984 | 1226 | 1705 | 1759 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | E 10 | NNE 7 | E 16 | E 14 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 25 | 51 | 54 | 132 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 26 | 35 | 50 | 64 | 75 | 102 | 87 | 95 | 238 | 247 | 226 | 182 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | E 11 | E 11 | NNE 7 | S 13 | SSE 16 | SE 15 | SSE 14 | ENE 11 | SSE 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ESE 8 | E 17 | E 8 | E 7 | S 11 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 38 | 39 | 61 | 42 | 13 | 24 | 8 | 21 | 88 | 17 | 32 | 17 | 8 | 81 | 367 | 72 | 54 | 2 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | — | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 220 | — | — | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 176 | 186 | 91 | 178 | 101 | 178 | 178 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 181 | 0 | 108 | 108 | 102 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Richardsons Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Richardsons provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Richardsons can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Richardsons 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 (Richardsons) 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 Richardsons 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.
Richardsons is 9 km (6 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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