UPDATE: Advisory level surf will continue through today along Big Island east shorelines

Update at 3:57 a.m. Feb. 26, 2026: National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu have extended until 6 p.m. tonight (Feb. 26) the high surf advisory in effect for east-facing shores of the Big Island.

Surf of 7 to 10 feet can still be expected along those shorelines, with strong breaking waves and strong currents continuing to make swimming and other ocean activities dangerous.

Forecasters report that surf along exposed east-facing shores will remain elevated today because of a lingering north-northeast swell.

This, combined with fresh onshore trade winds, will continue to generate rough conditions along east-facing shores, which is what prompted the extension of the high surf advisory through today.

A downward trend is expected Friday through the weekend as the swell eases and trades diminish.

Remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.

Update at 4:05 p.m. Feb. 25, 2026: Advisory-level surf is expected to continue along exposed east-facing coastlines on Big Island through tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

A high surf advisory has been extended until 6 a.m. Thursday. Surf is expected to reach 8 to 12 feet this evening before dropping to 7 to 10 feet overnight.

Update at 8:47 a.m. Feb. 25, 2026: Bayfront Highway is now open after being closed due to large breaking waves and debris.

A high surf advisory is still in place.

Kolekole Beach Park is now open, however, Hilo beach parks from Bayfront to Richardson Ocean Park remain closed due to high surf.

Update at 3:30 a.m. Feb. 25, 2026: The high surf advisory for north and east shorelines of the Big Island has been extended until 6 p.m. today.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu expect surf of 15 to 20 feet through the morning along north-facing shores, dropping to 12 to 16 feet this afternoon.

For east-facing shores, surf of 10 to 14 feet is forecast through this morning, then falling to 8 to 12 feet by this afternoon.

Strong breaking waves and strong currents along those shorelines will continue to make swimming and other ocean activities dangerous.

The public is advised to heed all advice from ocean safety officials. When in doubt, don’t go out.

Meanwhile, the high surf advisory that was in place for west-facing shores of the Big Island was canceled. Forecasters in Honolulu report that surf along those shorelines fell below advisory level.

Update at 4 p.m. Feb. 24: A high surf advisory has been extended until Wednesday morning for Big Island shorelines.

The National Weather Service expanded a high surf advisory to include west-facing shores, along with north and east-facing shores of the Big Island until 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. All high surf warnings have been canceled.

A long period north-northeast swell peaked early this morning, producing much larger than normal surf across some coastlines, which caused the closure of all Hilo beach parks. The swell will gradually decline late this afternoon through Friday.

The expected surf heights on Big Island shorelines are:

• North-facing shores: 18 to 24 feet this evening, dropping to 15 to 20 feet;
• East-facing shores: 12 to 16 feet this evening, dropping to
  10 to 14 feet;
• West-facing shores: 6 to 8 feet.

Update at 8:04 a.m. Feb. 24: Several beaches in North Hilo are closed due to high surf and debris along northeast-facing shores.

Hawai‘i County’s Parks and Recreation Department has closed Kolekole Beach Park as well as all the beach parks in Hilo from Bayfront to Richardson Ocean Park.

They will remain closed all day.

Original post at 12 a.m. Feb. 24: Surf reaches 12 to 18 feet overnight on east-facing shores, prompting Bayfront Highway to close in Hilo until further notice.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department advises motorists to avoid Bayfront Highway between Waiānuenue Avenue and Pauahi Street due to large waves and debris on the road. Use an alternative route until further notice.

A high surf warning was issued for north- and east-facing shores of the Big Island through 6 p.m. Tuesday. The swell is expected to gradually decline Tuesday night through Friday.

National Weather Service forecasters predicted surf to reach 20 to 30 feet on north-facing shores and 12 to 18 feet on east-facing shores of the Big Island.

For more information, visit the County of Hawaii Hazard Impact Map.