Surf Forecasts:
Tombstones surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, ENE swell with 2,173 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tombstones this week:
The surf forecast for Tombstones over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tombstones in the next 16 days are 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) 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 0.6m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tombstones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in terms you can feel. I’m Rusty, and here’s what’s happening at the local break.
Honestly, for the first stretch, it’s a tough go. From Tuesday 28 July all the way up to the start of August 5, Tombstones isn’t treating us right. There’s plenty of swell, sometimes a whole lot of energy (like Tuesday morning with 2425 units of combined energy), but the wind is working against us – cross-on and onshore, keeping the surface ugly and choppy. We’re talking 20 km/h winds and 3 ft of east-northeast swell with a 12-second period on the 28th morning – that’s a big, powerful, messy wave only for the bold and experienced. And water temp is about 80°F, right on average for this time of year.
But then things turn around. The real highlight is Monday afternoon August 10. The wind drops to glassy – 5 mph from the east-northeast – and the swell cleans right up. You’ve got 5 ft of northeast swell at 9 seconds. Clean faces, consistent sets, and that energy reading of 401 is moderate but just right for a good session. Reef break, advanced level, very consistent – and the crowds might show up, but it’s worth it.
Another clean one hits Tuesday afternoon August 11: a light cross-off breeze from the south at 6 mph, 4 ft northeast swell, clean conditions. Then Wednesday afternoon August 12 brings glassy conditions again with 4 ft northeast swell.
The best of the bunch is that Monday afternoon glass-off. That’s your session. Everything else in the second week is small or marginal, so don’t sleep on that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2173 | 1386 | 408 | 189 | 202 | 280 | 238 | 279 | 326 | 362 | 437 | 460 | 504 | 588 | 537 | 516 | 488 | 370 | 331 | 284 | 694 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:19PM0.87m | 2:37AM0.44m | 3:47PM0.87m | 3:15AM0.46m | 4:13PM0.87m | 3:55AM0.48m | 4:39PM0.85m | 4:38AM0.51m | 5:05PM0.81m | 5:25AM0.52m | 5:30PM0.74m | 6:21AM0.54m | 5:55PM0.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:03AM-0.07m | 9:56PM0.19m | 8:38AM-0.07m | 10:21PM0.17m | 9:12AM-0.05m | 10:47PM0.15m | 9:45AM-0.01m | 11:14PM0.12m | 10:21AM0.05m | 11:43PM0.10m | 11:01AM0.14m | 00:12AM0.08m | 11:48AM0.23m | 00:47AM0.06m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 |
| kJ | 2173 | 1386 | 408 | 189 | 202 | 280 | 238 | 279 | 326 | 341 | 437 | 460 | 504 | 588 | 537 | 516 | 488 | 370 | 331 | 284 | 694 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | N 8 | E 19 | E 17 | E 17 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | N 6 |
| kJ | 134 | 148 | 232 | 113 | 55 | 7 | 53 | 137 | 305 | 362 | 339 | 257 | 229 | 253 | 352 | 268 | 261 | 293 | 225 | 269 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 13 | S 13 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | S 14 | N 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 23 | 13 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 248 | 240 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 168 | 57 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 170 | 94 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 170 | 93 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tombstones Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tombstones provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tombstones can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tombstones 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 (Tombstones) 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 Tombstones 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.
Tombstones is 5 km (3 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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