Compiled by the spearo sea-state engine · How it works →
The verdict comes from seven water factors and hard safety gates — not ten tabs. Go or stay.
How we score the water
Our own model
Our own forecast engine — not a third-party widget. It weighs these water factors into one go-or-stay verdict for this coast; the 0–10 dial is that verdict, read out as a number.
01
Swell & wave memory
Height, period and direction of the swell, plus the wake of recent storms — an old storm still stirs the water, and the engine remembers.
02
Wind & gusts
Speed and gusts, hour by hour — wind speed and an onshore push chop the surface and cut visibility.
03
Tide phase
Timing and range of the tide, calibrated per coast — big spring tides pull the verdict toward caution.
04
Water temperature
Sea-surface temperature — sharply cold water vetoes a green verdict.
05
Currents & outflow
Direction and drift of the current — it pushes you, and it drags turbid coastal water across where you dive.
06
Rain runoff & air clarity
Rain muddies the water inshore through land runoff, while fog and haze cut visibility at the surface.
07
Coast shape & exposure
How the coast faces the swell — a sheltered cove keeps the water clean; an exposed, head-on point takes a penalty.
Safety gates
Thunderstorm forecast — an instant red, no exceptions.
An official warning (MeteoAlarm / IPMA) — yellow, or red for the higher ranks.
Missing input data — a would-be green is capped to yellow rather than overstated.
Strong disagreement between forecast models — a green day is pulled back to yellow.
Night hours — where night spearfishing is banned by law the window is forced red; where it is legal (Australia outside NSW, New Zealand, South Africa) it is capped at yellow, never green.
It all folds into a single 0–10 score and one verdict: go or stay.
A forecast, not a guarantee — the sea has the last word.
Where to get in, where to hunt
Entry points with coordinates
Seabed relief — promising ground
This verdict — in your pocket. Open the app for the week's window.
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0 m
Surface
Wind, wave and the swell windows — when to go and the best hours.
spearo.app
NWS no dataupdated 03:25
Hilo — solo, off the rocks
DON'T GO
don't go · wave 1.4 m (occasionally up to ~2.9 m)
wave 1.4 mwind 7 km/hsurge pounding the rocksvisibility ~2 m
What's missing? Tell us what you'd like to see — new spots, species, data or features. We read everything.
Your best window — with you. Forecast in your pocket.
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−10 m
The water column
Visibility and what drives it — post-storm clearing, river plume, temperature and the thermocline.
What it is
A marine instrument, go / no-go for solo hunting.
spearo.app folds wind, wave, swell period, visibility, tides, water temperature and risk into a single verdict — go to the spot or not. It computes 7 days ahead from open marine models (Open-Meteo, IPMA), with no sign-up and no accounts. Built for solo spearfishing off the rocks, where any mistake costs dearly.
Now live: 1391 spots across 205 stretches of coast — mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
⚠️ This point is inside the restricted zone “Hilo Harbor, Wailoa River and Wailuku River Fisheries Management Area”: fishing there is regulated (season, gear, permit), not banned outright. Read the zone's rules before you go.
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—
The rock breakwater on its outer face, 3–11 m: kumu, papio, aholehole and lobster between the blocks. WARNING: inside the harbour a combined limit of 20 mullet, moi and ulua per person applies, no more than 15 moi — and the inner side is closed.
Shallow lava-and-coral reef off James Kealoha Beach Park, known locally as Four Mile, 2–12 m and less worked than Richardson's next door. Entry through the big tidepools; the reef is healthy with parrotfish, goatfish and squirrelfish, and rays over the sand patches.
Easy entry through sand pockets straight onto a lava reef, 2–13 m: kole, uhu, menpachi and papio. Fresh spring water leaves a hazy layer at the surface — below it things usually clear up considerably.
Rock fingers and arches, 8–20 m, dropping past 21 m further out: kole, uku, mu and papio. A windward, exposed coast with constant surge — pick a small-sea window and never dive alone.
SOLO is the biggest risk: underwater you can black out from lack of oxygen silently and fatally, with no one around. Solo is never truly «safe». Below are the best weather windows; carry a buoy, tell someone your plan and exit time, and any doubt — don't go.
One morning glance — and you know.
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≈
Surfacing
Cameras, map and reference — to hand as you come up.
Live cameras, map & reference
Cameras · live
Look at the water right now.
Check the cam BEFORE you leave. Foam, brown/green murk, or waves washing the entry rocks = No-go. At night/in fog the cam is useless — treat it as «unknown», NOT «green».
Hilo Bay — Moku Ola / Coconut Island (WetMet)Live (wetmet) — Hilo Bay — Moku Ola / Coconut Island (WetMet). Operator iframe embed. Read the water before you go.camera: wetmet ↗
The 2 uhu/day bag is STATEWIDE, not Maui-only (HAR 13-95-16(c), amended 22 Feb 2024). Min 10″ (25 cm), and 14″ (36 cm) for 'ele'ele, uliuli, palukaluka and 'ahu'ula. On Maui (HAR 13-95.1) blue terminal-phase 'ele'ele and uliuli may not be taken at all. Kahekili Herbivore FMA: uhu banned year-round. Miloli'i CBSFA: no spearing uhu at night by any gear.
ulua (giant trevally)
Caranx spp. / Carangoides spp. · 2–30 m · legal
'Ulua and papio' is a LEGAL GROUP, not one species: Caranx ignobilis, C. lugubris, C. melampygus ('omilu), C. sexfasciatus, Carangoides equula, C. ferdau and C. orthogrammus. Min 10″ (25 cm) to take or possess, 16″ (41 cm) to sell. Bag 20 ulua over 10″ per person per day, non-commercial (HAR 13-95-22).
kumu (goatfish)
Parupeneus porphyreus · 2–25 m · legal
This is specifically Parupeneus porphyreus, not the whole Mullidae family. Year-round. Min 10″ (25 cm) statewide (HAR 13-95-7), 12″ (30 cm) on Maui island. No statewide bag limit, but 1 kumu per person per day on Maui (HAR 13-95.1-20(c)).
roi (peacock grouper)
Cephalopholis argus · 3–30 m · invasive — target
Invasive: DLNR AIS lists it as introduced — deliberately stocked as a sportfish in 1956, now a dominant reef predator on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Maui and Hawai'i island. No season, size or bag limit. On ciguatera: no Hawai'i state page asserting it could be found — treat it as a local caution, not a rule.
ta'ape (bluestripe snapper)
Lutjanus kasmira · 3–40 m · invasive — target
Invasive, confirmed by DLNR AIS: first found in Hawai'i in 1955, deliberately stocked from French Polynesia, now established through the main islands on reefs, shallow lagoons and outer reef slopes. No season, size or bag limit. 'Removal encouraged' is community practice, not a published DAR position.
kole (goldring surgeonfish)
Ctenochaetus strigosus · 2–25 m · legal
One of the most-speared reef fish in Hawai'i. Year-round statewide. Min 5″ (13 cm) — a NEW rule: §13-95-25 was created by the 22 Feb 2024 amendment, so any older 'kole is unregulated' note is stale. No statewide bag. Miloli'i CBSFA: closed Mar–Jun, 20/person/day Jul–Feb.
moi (Pacific threadfin)
Polydactylus sexfilis · 0–10 m · ⚠️ closed season/limit
The only clean three-month statewide closure in the façade: Jun 1–Aug 31 it is unlawful to take, possess or sell any moi (HAR 13-95-23(c)). September through May: min 11″ (28 cm), 15 per person per day. A classic shorebreak and sand-channel target.
uku (grey / green jobfish)
Aprion virescens · 10–60 m · legal
The blue-water target of Hawaiian spearfishing. Year-round. The size rule is written specifically for spearfishers: 'unlawful to take with spear or possess any speared uku less than one pound' (0.45 kg) — HAR 13-95-15(b). No state bag limit; the federal stock is managed by an annual catch limit, not a recreational bag.
kala (bluespine unicornfish)
Naso unicornis · 2–25 m · legal
A staple reef meat fish. Year-round. Min 14″ (36 cm), HAR 13-95-11(a); kala 'opelu (Naso hexacanthus) 16″ (41 cm), §13-95-12. Bag 4 kala per person per day; a commercial kala permit ($100) is needed to exceed it. Kahekili Herbivore FMA on Maui: all surgeonfish including kala are prohibited.
'omilu (bluefin trevally)
Caranx melampygus · 2–30 m · legal
The everyday reef-edge trevally — and legally it IS an ulua: regulated inside the 'ulua and papio' group (HAR 13-95-22), which most divers do not know. Min 10″ (25 cm), bag 20/day SHARED with all other ulua/papio, not a separate allowance.
manini (convict tang)
Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis · 0–15 m · legal
Shallow-reef bread-and-butter for shore divers on every island. Year-round, min 6″ (15 cm), HAR 13-95-5. No statewide bag limit. Prohibited inside the Kahekili Herbivore FMA (north Ka'anapali, Maui).
mu (bigeye emperor)
Monotaxis grandoculis · 3–40 m · legal
A top Hawaiian spear target with NO state size or bag limit. The evidence is negative: mu appears nowhere on the DAR 'Marine Fishes and Other Vertebrates' regulated-species page (read in full 2026-09-03) nor in HAR 13-95. Hence conf 'partial' — this is an absence of rule, not a written allowance. Check local and county rules separately.
'u'u / menpachi (soldierfish)
Myripristis spp. · 3–30 m · legal
The archetypal Hawaiian night-dive fish. Unregulated statewide — absent from the DAR regulated list, hence conf 'partial'. But genuinely regulated inside Miloli'i CBSFA: closed April–June, and no spearing 'u'u inside the Puakai'a Miloli'i sub-zone.
he'e (day octopus / tako)
Octopus cyanea · 0–20 m · legal
Do not confuse it with the crustacean ban: he'e is a mollusc, so the statewide ban on spearing crustaceans does NOT reach it — three-prong tako hunting is legal. Year-round, min 1 lb (0.45 kg), HAR 13-95-55. No state bag limit.
'ama'ama (striped mullet)
Mugil cephalus · 0–8 m · ⚠️ closed season/limit
The façade's second statewide closed season: December through March take is prohibited (HAR 13-95-8, HRS 188-44). April–November: min 11″ (28 cm). No statewide bag limit; in the Hilo Bay FMA it counts inside a combined 20/day cap. A shallow flats and harbour-mouth target.
'o'io (bonefish)
Albula glossodonta · 0–10 m · legal
A sand-flat target adjacent to most of our HI city spots. Year-round, min 14″ (36 cm), HAR 13-95-10. No state bag limit.
Not a target — don't shoot
paku'iku'i (Achilles tang)🚫 no-take
MORATORIUM. In the West Hawai'i Regional FMA take or possession is prohibited before 18 December 2026 (HAR 13-60.4-4(a)(7), am. 2 Jan 2025) — that directly covers Kailua-Kona and Captain Cook. In Miloli'i CBSFA prohibited before 1 July 2027, then 5/day at a 5″ minimum. ⏳ Both dates need a diary re-check or this card goes stale.
ula (spiny lobster) and ula papapa (slipper lobster)🚫 no-take
NEVER by spear: 'unlawful to spear any crustacean (except introduced freshwater prawn), turtle or aquatic mammal at any time' (HAR 13-75 / HRS 188-23). Hand-take only, whole and unmutilated. Closed season May–August statewide; min carapace 3¼″ (8.3 cm), ula papapa 2¾″ (7.0 cm) tail width. No taking female ula. Maunalua Bay FMA bans lobster take outright; Miloli'i CBSFA caps ula at 2/day.
mano (sharks) and hihimanu (rays)🚫 no-take
HANDS OFF: it is unlawful to intentionally or knowingly capture or entangle ANY shark or ray, alive or dead, or to kill any shark or ray in state marine waters (HRS 188-39.5 sharks, HRS 188-40.8 rays). Possessing, selling or distributing shark fins is also prohibited. For a spearo this matters more than the turtle line.
honu (sea turtles) and Hawaiian monk seal🚫 no-take
There is no open season. Sea turtles: closed, state and federal endangered-species law both apply (HRS 195D-4). Monk seal: unlawful to molest, kill, capture or possess at any time. Spearing any turtle or aquatic mammal is separately unlawful under HAR 13-75. Keep your distance and never pursue.
Law
✓No licence for residents; non-residents need the Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License ().
✓MLCDs — no-take. West Hawai'i — scuba-spear banned. Uhu (Maui): ≤2/day, no blue males. Roi/ta'ape invasive — removal encouraged.
•It is unlawful to spear any crustacean (lobster, all crabs), turtle or aquatic mammal at any time; spearfishing is allowed for all fishes. Taking any fish, crustacean, mollusc, turtle or marine mammal with firearms is prohibited, except tuna or billfish already gaffed.
•A dive flag is mandatory: spearfishers and divers must mark their position and may not surface more than 100 ft (30 m) from it in ocean waters (50 ft in navigable streams) except in an emergency. Minimum 12×12 in, or 20×24 in with a blue-and-white alpha flag if vessel-mounted on a boat over 16 ft.
•Night spear-ban zones. Maunalua Bay , O'ahu (Kawaihoa Pt to the Diamond Head buoy — this covers Hawai'i Kai and east Honolulu, HAR 13-48.5): from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise it is unlawful to use or possess a spear while diving, or to hold dive gear and a spear together.
•The Kahekili Herbivore off north Ka'anapali, Maui (HAR 13-60.7) sits directly on the lahaina city: it is unlawful to injure, kill, possess or remove ANY parrotfish (uhu), rudderfish (nenue) or surgeonfish, or any sea urchin — everything else is fair game.
•Miloli'i CBSFA (HAR 13-60.10) runs from the shoreline to the 100-fathom contour on the SW Hawai'i island coast, south of the captain-cook city, with the tightest spear rules in the state: no spearing uhu at night by any gear; no uhu 'ele'ele or uhu uliuli at all; uhu 'ahu'ula/palukaluka closed March–May; ula capped at 2/day.
•West Hawai'i RFMA: it is unlawful merely to POSSESS SCUBA gear and a spear at the same time, or SCUBA gear plus any speared fish, anywhere in the region (HAR 13-60.4-4(a)(6)). The same subsection bans taking or possessing paku'iku'i before 18 Dec 2026.
•Licence: residents need none and no registration; non-residents aged 15+ need the — $20 for 1 day, $40 for 7 days, $70 for 1 year plus an online processing fee, sold ONLY at fishing.hawaii.gov. Statutory basis HRS 188-72 (Act 48, 2021).
Safety protocol
Sets: watch the wave trains ≥15 min before entering; Hmax ≈ 2×Hs, the wash can run 50 m past the foam line. A lull >10 min with period >12 s = a big set «overdue», do NOT enter; enter right after a full set passes and re-check at minute 30.
Exit FIRST: find your exit AND a backup before entering. On a rocky/boulder shore a 0.5 m rise in swell can make the exit impossible — getting pinned/unable to climb out is the main killer.
Headland rip: prominent points often have a permanent topographic rip regardless of the model — locate it, enter/exit on the windward side, never swim against it.
Cold: wetsuit per the SST chip; the first shiver = a metabolic surge and a drop in breath-hold → get out at the first steady shiver. Cap the session at 45–60 min below 15 °C.
Solo discipline: buoy up; tell someone the spot and exit time; conservative breath-hold (never push it in cold/murky/surfy water); visibility <3 m — don't enter.
Afternoon wind: on many coasts the wind builds from midday — plan to be out of the water by midday; the chop builds — get out.
UV 11:00–15:00 (UVI ≥6): sunscreen and cover up on the surface interval.
Solo is a fundamental risk (hypoxic blackout with no buddy). Any doubt = No-go.
FAQ — spearfishing in Hilo
Where can I spearfish in Hilo?
Hilo has rock entry points such as Richardson's Ocean Park (Leleiwi), Waiolena / Leleiwi Beach Park and Hilo Breakwater (outer side). East Hawai'i lava reefs and arches at Richardson's and Leleiwi — kole, uhu, uku and papio; dive calm days only. Below you'll find each spot (access, shelter and hazards) and today's forecast.
When is the best season in Hilo?
Year-round; ulua/uhu, removing invasive roi/ta'ape is encouraged. No licence for residents.
How cold is the water in Hilo?
Warm, 24–27 °C; gin-clear year-round, reef channels on the slack.
Is Hilo good for a beginner?
Beginner-friendly: warm clear water; respect MLCD/no-take and the West Hawai'i scuba-spear ban.
Do I need a licence in Hilo?
Yes — in Hilo almost certainly, but the licence is the STATE's, not a federal one: nearly every coastal state requires its own saltwater fishing licence, and several add a free registration or an extra endorsement on top (Florida's free State Reef Fish Survey for reef fish, Texas's saltwater endorsement, California's Ocean Enhancement Validation). Hawaii asks nothing of residents and charges visitors the NRMFL. What may be speared, and with what gear, is state law too — the price and the details depend on the state, so read the «Law» block below.
⛔ 🚫 Marine Life Conservation Districts (Hanauma/Molokini/Pupukea etc.) — no-take: spear nothing. West Hawai'i — scuba-spear banned.
⛔ 🚫 Sea turtles, monk seal and cetaceans — protected, don't disturb. Uhu: blue terminal males (Maui) may not be taken.
⛔ 🚫 Sharks and rays: capturing, entangling or killing ANY shark or ray in is unlawful (HRS 188-39.5, 188-40.8) — for a spearo this matters more than the turtle line. Shark fins may not be possessed, sold or distributed.
US spearfishing law is state-by-state. License, spearable species, powerhead rules and distances vary; federal sanctuaries (Gray's Reef, the Keys, Flower Garden Banks) ban spearfishing. Always confirm with the state agency and local ordinances.
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