Chocks (Hilo)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- 1–2.5 m
- Swell Height
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Chocks (Hilo) is an exposed reef break that only works under precise conditions, with the swell needing to wrap into the bay for the spot to come alive. It produces left-hand waves in the most common descriptions, while other accounts note it can offer lefts and rights when conditions set up correctly. The spot’s best window is centered on January, with reef/rock hazards making it more appropriate for intermediate surfers than beginners. A shallow, rocky bottom and sea urchins create a difficult environment even when waves look rideable, so proper protective gear is important. Water quality can be affected after heavy rainfall and river runoff; sources advise staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours following heavy rain due to elevated bacteria risk near stream outlets. Expect conditions to change rapidly in wet weather, and plan around current and rip-current risk. Access is via a county-park shoreline area with limited parking near the entrance (around 5–6 cars). County park rules apply, including no pets, and beach hours run from 7am to 7pm daily.
- Works best at high to mid tide when North/Northeast/Northwest swell wraps in
- Reef hazard spot with sea urchins—booties strongly recommended
- Water-quality risk after heavy rain; avoid for at least 72 hours after storms
- Performance-oriented reef break with left-hand waves reported (and lefts/rights when conditions set up)
- Best suited to intermediate surfers
- Exposed reef break that only works when conditions are just right
- Shallow rocky reef with sea urchins and sharp rocks
- Potential for rip currents/currents and reduced water quality after heavy rain
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W
- Offshore directions
- SW, W
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Morning offshore winds are common before afternoon trade winds develop.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady.
- Best Months
- January, February, December
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadow from the breakwater and coastline terrain
- Thermal Window
- Morning · Months: Jan, Feb, Dec · Dir: N, NE · Morning offshore influence is common before afternoon trade winds develop; trades interact with diurnal sea-breeze regime.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky composition with shallow reef over rock
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Paddle out from near the breakwater or rocky shore
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to reef and nearby shallow sections
Through the year
November to March is the wet season with higher storm risk (with frequent heavy rain in Hilo).
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef break that only works when conditions are just right. Works over a shallow reef and is often best when swell wraps in appropriately; produces left-hand waves (with sources also describing lefts and rights when conditions set up).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High, Mid — Reported as best at high to mid tide; also described as working at mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reported as exposed; also described as semi-sheltered in Hilo Bay depending on setup.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the West or Southwest can groom waves; North trade winds can make conditions choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger North swells well as the bay provides some protection.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality overall; best when swell wraps into the bay correctly.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent performance sections when the swell wraps into the bay correctly.
- Ride Length Details
- When the swell wraps into the bay correctly, the waves can deliver decent performance sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chocks (Hilo) in the full forecast view.
Chocks (Hilo) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–8 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- NNE12°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–1.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chocks (Hilo) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 1.2–1.6 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sea urchins
- rip currents
- shallow reef
- sharp rocks
- pollution after heavy rain
- currents
- turbid water after runoff
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards indicated at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability not present at the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Hilo Medical Center is the nearest hospital facility.
Rules of the spot
County park rules apply (no pets). Beach hours are 7am-7pm daily.
- No pets
- Beach hours 7am-7pm daily
- Stay out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain due to moderate-high bacteria risk near stream outlets.
- Be mindful of water quality after heavy rainfall due to river runoff.
- Booties are recommended due to the sharp reef and sea urchins.
- Park wherever possible (only room for about 5-6 cars near access) and do not block roads or driveways.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hilo
- Nearest Town
- Hilo
- Parking
- Limited parking near access (about 5-6 cars); free but sparse. Do not block road or driveways.
- Access
- Drive east on Kamehameha Avenue on the Hilo waterfront, continue onto Kalanianaole Street, turn left onto Keokea Loop Road and go to the end where a white/blue 'Shoreline Public Access' sign points to the beach entrance. Park wherever possible (only 5-6 cars near access); do not block road or driveways. Surfers can also enter water from nearby Keaukaha Beach Park.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various hotels and guesthouses in Hilo town.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and cafes in downtown Hilo nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops in Hilo offer board rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Not typically available at public beach parks; riders usually store gear at accommodation or in vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and fiberglass repair available through local Hilo surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chocks (Hilo)?
The best overall months at Chocks (Hilo) are January. The best wind months are January, February, December.
Which wind directions work at Chocks (Hilo)?
Chocks (Hilo) works with SW, W winds. Offshore directions are SW, W.
What skill level is Chocks (Hilo) suitable for?
Chocks (Hilo) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.