Hakalau
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Hakalau is a secluded, exposed river-mouth surf break on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, known for reasonably consistent surf but highly condition-dependent hazards. The break is technical: it runs over a rocky river-mouth entrance with limited beach area and can produce short, punchy waves. West winds are described as offshore and help groom the wave face, and the setup is exposed, meaning it will respond strongly to swell direction and weather. Safety is a major consideration. Reported hazards include rocks, sharks, and pollution/water quality impacts from river runoff, especially after heavy rainfall. Currents can be strong—particularly when the stream discharge is high after storms—and large winter swells may bring heavy whitewater and stronger rips. Access is also challenging. Entry typically requires a 2/3 mile walk down a closed road or a steep trail, with limited parking when accessible, and there are documented closure/maintenance risks related to the nearby bridge and bay safety concerns. The spot is described as low-profile with moderate localism, and it’s generally noted as quiet unless conditions are especially good for locals.
- Exposed river break with reasonably consistent surf
- Short, punchy wave character
- West winds offshore-grooming effect
- Highly dependent on river conditions and swell direction
- Secluded, low-profile with moderate localism sensitivity
- Exposed river break with reasonably consistent surf.
- Offshore grooming possible with west winds.
- Scenic, secluded, low-profile nature of the spot.
- Advanced-level hazards (rocks, strong currents, debris).
- Water quality can be poor and become turbid/murky after storms due to river runoff.
- Access challenges: steep walk, and bridge/bay/road closure risks.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW, SW
- Wind Type
- Trade — Spot-level notes indicate a best wind direction of west; regional context describes North-East trade-wind exposure with an afternoon reinforcement window.
- Shadow Zones
- At the base of high cliffs, creating significant wind shadows and turbulence near the shore.
- Thermal Window
- Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW, N · Afternoon wind window reinforced by diurnal heating (roughly late morning through early evening).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed rocky/river-influenced beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf reported by one provider.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky river mouth entrance with limited usable area depending on stream flow and tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Launch difficulty described as difficult; rocky/river-mouth entry with limited area.
Through the year
Quiet most of the time; can get crowded with locals on good weekend swells.
Heaviest in winter; rainy throughout the year.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed river-mouth break on the Hamakua Coast with reasonably consistent surf, but it is highly dependent on swell direction and river conditions. Runs over a rocky bottom with short, punchy sections that can become messy on larger winter swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Most favorable around mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed river-mouth setup on an open coast.
- Wind Effect
- West winds are offshore and help groom the wave face.
- Bigger Swell
- On large winter swells it can become messy and dangerous with heavy whitewater and strong rips.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality described as reasonably consistent overall, with average conditions depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Generally moderate power; can become dangerous with heavy winter swell.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mix of sand-and-rock influenced breaking; can be punchy and irregular.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Punchy, short-breaking waves depending on river conditions.
- Ride Length
- Short — Waves are typically short.
- Ride Length Details
- Typically short and can be punchy, breaking over sand/rocks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hakalau in the full forecast view.
Hakalau wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–8 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- N11°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–1.8 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Hakalau is forecast for daytime winds of 3–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 1.3–1.8 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
- Sharks
- Pollution
- Strong currents
- Debris including logs after heavy rains
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated rescue availability reported for this specific spot.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 911. Nearest major facility noted as Hilo Medical Center (~15–20 miles south).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Avoid the water after heavy rainfall due to high bacteria counts and stream runoff debris; be cautious of strong currents, rocks, and poor water quality near the river mouth.
- Access may be restricted due to bridge maintenance or landslide/road closure risks.
- Hakalau Bridge and Hakalau Bay have been closed since February 2017 due to safety concerns.
- Avoid the water after heavy rainfall due to high bacteria counts and debris in the stream runoff.
- Be respectful of local surfers as the spot is low-profile and can be sensitive.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hakalau
- Nearest Town
- Hakalau
- Nearest Airport
- Hilo International Airport (ITO)
- Parking
- Limited parking at the bottom of the gulch when accessible.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transportation along Highway 19; a car is essential for visiting spots.
- Access
- Accessible via a 2/3 mile walk down the old park road or a steep trail; the road is closed to cars. Parking is limited when accessible.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Limited local vacation rentals and guesthouses in Hakalau and Honomu; larger hotels are in Hilo.
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 Hakalau?
The best overall months at Hakalau are July.
Which wind directions work at Hakalau?
Hakalau works with W, WSW, SW winds.
What skill level is Hakalau suitable for?
Hakalau suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.