Surf spot

Hakalau

Forecast conditions and map view for Hakalau in USA, Hawaii, Hawaii Island. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, Hawaii, Hawaii Island
Coordinates: 19.9003, -155.1282

Metric
Metric	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00
Wave height (m)	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1	1	0.9	0.9	1.2	1.3	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1	1	1.1	1.2	1.3	1.5	1.6	1.7	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.9	1.9	1.9	2
Wave direction	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E
Wave period (s)	7.1	7	6.9	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.9	7	6.7	6.5	7.3	7.2	6.5	6.5	6.4	6.3	6.1	5.9	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.6	5.5	6.2	6.5	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.2	7.3	6.5	7.5	7.5	7.3	7.1	7.2	7.3	7.3	7.4	7.4	7.3	7.3	7.2	7.2
Wave energy (kJ)	215	206	192	187	187	179	176	168	163	163	154	90	85	81	85	136	136	127	121	115	106	96	89	84	78	74	65	62	57	50	47	47	46	46	42	48	72	78	85	94	106	114	77	146	162	191	227	262	304	335	355	371	382	396	390	398
Wind speed (km/h)	5.8	4.7	6.6	9.4	9.4	5.8	4.5	5.4	5.1	1.1	5.2	11.3	7.9	5.8	4.4	1.5	2.3	3.3	4.1	10	12.6	11.9	7	7	6.5	8.2	6.9	10.6	11.4	8.5	1.8	2.6	3.7	5.4	4.4	10.8	11.2	6.9	5	6.4	8.3	6.9	8.2	11.7	11.3	8.1	4.8	2.1	2.1	1.6	1.5	2.3	6.4	9.9	11.2	12.5
Wind direction	EOnshore	ESEGlassy	ESECross-on	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ESEGlassy	SECross-on	SECross-on	SGlassy	ESECross-on	EOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	EGlassy	SSEGlassy	SEGlassy	NEGlassy	NEGlassy	NEOnshore	NNECross-on	NCross-on	NWCross	WNWCross-off	WOffshore	WNWCross-off	NNWCross	NECross-on	NECross-on	NNECross-on	WGlassy	SSEGlassy	SGlassy	SWOffshore	SEGlassy	EOnshore	EOnshore	ECross-on	SSECross	SSECross	SCross-off	SCross	SECross-on	ECross-on	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	NEGlassy	ESEGlassy	NNWGlassy	NNEGlassy	SSWGlassy	SEGlassy	SECross-on	SECross-on	SECross-on	SSECross

Hakalau is a surf spot on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi (Hawaii Island), USA, on the windward/northeastern coast near the town of Hilo.

Spot description

Wave type: Mostly a reef break with a mix of reef and some rock, producing powerful, fast-breaking waves.
Best swell: Works best with north and northeast swells, especially during the winter season.
Wind: Usually prefers light offshore winds or calm conditions; trade winds can make it messy if they’re strong.
Wave character: Can be heavy and punchy, with good shape when conditions line up. It’s not typically a mellow beginner spot.
Crowd factor: Often less crowded than more famous Hawaiian surf zones, but local respect is important.

Skill level

Better suited for intermediate to advanced surfers because of the reef, power, and variable conditions.
Beginners should be cautious, as the takeoff can be steep and the reef is shallow in places.

Hazards

Shallow reef
Strong currents
Sharp local conditions that can change quickly
Potential exposure to heavy surf during larger swells

Vibe

Hakalau has a more raw, rural East Hawaiʻi feel, with lush surroundings and a scenic coastline. It’s one of those spots that can be excellent when all the right ingredients come together, but it demands awareness and respect for the ocean and local etiquette.