Surf Forecasts:
Bay Front surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, E swell with 637 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bay Front this week:
The surf forecast for Bay Front over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bay Front in the next 16 days are 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay Front over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to the chase: the next couple of weeks at Bay Front are going to test your patience. This is a spot that rarely breaks, and it’s going to live up to that name for a while. The first real window of interest doesn’t show up until the tail end of the month, and even then, it’s not for the faint of heart.
The opening stretch, from Friday the 21st through the following Thursday, is mostly a write-off. We’ve got some small, weak swell—nothing over 7 feet—paired with cross and cross-onshore winds. The energy is there in the water, but it’s all over the place. Expect lumpy, messy conditions and questionable tides. There’s a hint of something cleaner on Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon, with light breeze and clean faces, but the swell is still directionally poor for this spot. Don’t get your hopes up.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. From Thursday the 27th, the period starts to stretch out, but the wind turns against us. We see a long-period swell (14-16 seconds) building in, but it’s accompanied by cross-onshore winds that will chop it up. The energy readings start climbing into the moderate to strong range, but it’s going to be a messy, roping mess at this reef. By Saturday the 29th, we’re looking at 5 to 5 feet of swell, with energy building, but the onshore flow kills it. Not good.
The standout, for what it’s worth, arrives on Sunday the 30th of August. The swell jumps to 7 feet from the ENE with a solid 13-second period, and the combined energy is strong. But here’s the rub: the wind is onshore, and while the size is there, it’s going to be a washing machine. This size is too much for beginners, and it’s not looking clean for anyone else.
Things get truly gnarly on Monday the 31st. The swell pushes to 8 feet, then 10 feet, with serious energy readings. That’s serious power. But with strong onshore winds and a building storm, this is expert-only territory. The wind swings offshore on Tuesday the 1st of September, with an 11-foot groundswell from the ENE and massive energy. That’s a lot of water moving. The faces will be huge and heavy—this is big-wave territory, and it’s going to be a battle just to get out. This is your best window, but it’s only for the skilled and the brave.
After that, the swell drops back down to 8 feet on Wednesday, then fades through the end of the forecast period. The winds improve to cross-off, but the energy and size drop off quickly.
So, here’s the takeaway. If you’re an expert and you can handle serious size, Tuesday the 1st of September is your day. It’s a long way out, so treat it as promising, not set in stone. Everyone else, you’re waiting for a better day that might not come in this window. It’s a tough call, but that’s the reality of this spot right now.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun night, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
44 | 64 | 109 | 163 | 300 | 493 | 561 | 623 | 411 | 346 | 297 | 329 | 291 | 287 | 239 | 196 | 215 | 220 | 159 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:57AM0.68m | 9:40PM0.31m | 12:45PM0.72m | 11:41PM0.34m | 1:21PM0.77m | 00:34AM0.39m | 1:51PM0.81m | 1:14AM0.44m | 2:18PM0.84m | 1:51AM0.50m | 2:43PM0.86m | 2:27AM0.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:11AM0.13m | 8:36PM0.31m | 8:07PM0.28m | 5:43AM0.08m | 8:15PM0.25m | 6:32AM0.04m | 8:30PM0.22m | 7:12AM0.00m | 8:48PM0.19m | 7:48AM-0.02m | 9:09PM0.15m | ||||||||
— | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
6:45 | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
44 | 55 | 109 | 163 | 300 | 493 | 561 | 623 | 411 | 346 | 297 | 329 | 291 | 287 | 239 | 196 | 215 | 220 | 159 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SE 9 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 21 | S 20 | E 18 |
31 | 19 | 26 | 63 | 73 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 30 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 16 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | S 15 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NNE 6 | S 10 | — | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | S 19 | N 9 | NE 9 | S 19 |
28 | 5 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 50 | 50 | 21 | 2 | — | 48 | 49 | 85 | 47 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 28 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 64 | — | 97 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 84 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 172 | 175 | 93 | 172 | 93 | 96 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bay Front Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bay Front provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bay Front can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bay Front surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bay Front) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bay Front may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Bay Front is 1 km (1 miles) from Hilo. If you plan a vacation in Big Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hilo. Hilo has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











