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Papaikou Mill 74.1
#2273 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇺🇸 United States of America · Hawaii · near Hilo
Works almost every day, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearWarm waterIntermediate
Surf score74.1 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days14% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell26% period 11 s+
Typical size1.6 m 5.2 ft median
Water26°C boardshorts
Best time to surf Papaikou Mill
The best time to surf Papaikou Mill is January, February, December. The season runs Jan to Jan. In January the water sits around 25°C, so pack a rash vest or 2 mm, and the typical wave is 2.0 m. The nearest airport is ITO (9 km) and the nearest town is Hilo (8 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 41% | 2.0 m | 25°C | vest |
| Feb | 100% | 22% | 1.9 m | 24°C | vest |
| Mar | 100% | 14% | 1.9 m | 24°C | vest |
| Apr | 100% | 15% | 1.6 m | 25°C | vest |
| May | 100% | 3% | 1.4 m | 25°C | boardies |
| Jun | 100% | 1% | 1.4 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Jul | 100% | 1% | 1.4 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Aug | 100% | 2% | 1.4 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Sep | 100% | 6% | 1.4 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Oct | 100% | 21% | 1.6 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Nov | 100% | 19% | 1.7 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Dec | 100% | 26% | 2.0 m | 25°C | boardies |
Why 74.1
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
7.9
Groundswell 12%
4.9
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.5
Water comfort 10%
8.9
Access 10%
10.0
The detail
Faces 95° with 39% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 53% of days. Mean peak period 9.9 s. Days over 3 m: 1%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 10%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 19.778, -155.089 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Honolii🇺🇸 United States of America · score 74.1Honoli'i🇺🇸 United States of America · score 74.1Tombstones🇺🇸 United States of America · score 74.1Hilo Breakwall🇺🇸 United States of America · score 71.7
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