Surf Forecasts:
Big Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, S swell with 347 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Big Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Look, I’ll level with you – Big Beach is not offering much over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long, drawn-out run of small, uninspiring surf, and it’s going to feel like a bit of a flat spell for the most part. The first solid recommendation doesn’t even pop up until Sunday the 16th, and even then it’s not a day to get too excited about.
Let’s start with that Sunday morning, August 16th. We’ve got a 6ft south swell rolling in, but the period is only 8 seconds – that’s short-period, wind-slop stuff, not the kind of wave that’ll wrap in cleanly. The cross-off wind from the ESE at 12 mph is keeping the surface tidy, but the wave energy is moderate at 772. It’s clean, sure, but the quality is marginal. By the afternoon, the swell drops right away to 2ft, even though a long-period 16-second south swell tries to push through. The energy drops to 485 and it’s really just a tease.
Monday the 17th looks a bit better in the morning. That south swell holds at 3ft with a 14-second period and the wind goes offshore from the ENE at 12 mph. That’s clean, and the energy is moderate at 393. It’s rideable, but nothing to call your mates about. The afternoon mixes things up with cross-off wind and the waves drop again.
From Tuesday the 18th right through until Saturday the 22nd, we’re stuck in a rut. Swell heights hover around 2ft to 2ft, mostly from the south or SSW. The energy is weak through this whole stretch, with readings like 206, 136, 223 – all two-digit or low three-digit numbers. There’s a brief moment on Thursday the 20th morning when the wind goes glassy and the swell is a 2ft SSW groundswell with a 18-second period, but the energy is still only 231. It’s a pretty picture but not much push. The water temp is sitting at 80° with a 0.5° anomaly, so pretty average for this time of year – it’s not a talking point.
Now, Saturday the 22nd morning offers a flicker of hope. The swell is 2ft from the SSW, period of 15 seconds, and the wind is light cross-off. Energy climbs a touch to 289 – still moderate – and the forecast calls for good conditions. But it’s still tiny.
The standout window – and I mean the only one worth circling on the calendar – lands on Thursday, August 27th. That morning we’ve got a 3ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, offshore wind from the NE at 12 mph, and combined energy pushing into 428. That’s a moderate energy reading, but it’s the biggest number we’ve seen in a while. The offshore wind will clean it up nicely. The swell direction aligns with the optimum from the guidance, and the break is fairly exposed to the south. It’s a beginner-friendly spot anyway, and at 3ft it’s well within that zone – not too big at all. The crowds come sometimes, so you might have company, but the water will be glassy and inviting. Later that afternoon, the swell drops back to 2ft but the wind stays offshore – still a decent session if you can sneak away.
Wednesday the 26th morning offers a bigger number on the energy scale – 455 – with a 2ft south swell and a very long 18-second period. That’s a groundswell, perfect for this fairly exposed beach, but the period is so long it might break a bit straight on a beach break. Still, with offshore wind in the afternoon, it could be worth a look for the patient surfer.
Beyond that, the final days of August and into the 31st stay small. The 31st Monday morning brings a 2ft SW swell with 16-second period, gentle offshore breeze, and moderate energy at 281. It’s clean but tiny. For an area like this, a blank run isn’t unusual – the consistency isn’t there. If you’re into kiting, the stronger cross-off winds later in the period might be more interesting than the waves themselves.
So, the standout: Thursday morning, August 27th at Big Beach. Get on it. As for the rest, keep the board on the roof just in case, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | S 8 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
407 | 183 | 347 | 333 | 257 | 170 | 123 | 119 | 82 | 69 | 71 | 129 | 207 | 202 | 278 | 219 | 162 | 261 | 152 | 116 | 150 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:49PM0.48m | 7:00AM0.41m | 5:58PM0.42m | 8:09AM0.40m | 5:51PM0.38m | 10:09AM0.39m | 12:36PM0.42m | 1:29PM0.46m | 2:01PM0.50m | 11:48PM0.23m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:35AM0.12m | 00:14AM0.06m | 12:13PM0.17m | 00:39AM0.06m | 1:00PM0.23m | 1:08AM0.06m | 1:51AM0.07m | 3:14AM0.08m | 5:09AM0.07m | 9:42PM0.17m | |||||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | |
mm | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 7 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 15 |
407 | 134 | 347 | 333 | 257 | 170 | 123 | 119 | 68 | 84 | 65 | 60 | 54 | 202 | 278 | 219 | 162 | 261 | 152 | 116 | 150 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 13 | S 6 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | WSW 6 | SW 17 | SW 18 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
330 | 168 | 44 | 50 | 37 | 4 | 74 | 79 | 82 | 69 | 71 | 129 | 207 | 39 | 46 | 32 | 20 | 84 | 47 | 46 | 44 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 16 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WSW 9 |
35 | 183 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 79 | 67 | 65 | 45 | 24 | 21 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 11 | 90 | 90 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 8 | E 9 | E 4 | ENE 8 | ENE 4 | E 3 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 3 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 |
823 | 427 | 235 | 96 | 93 | 100 | 160 | 146 | 25 | 140 | 16 | 5 | 73 | 54 | 74 | 1 | 8 | 80 | 97 | 130 | 148 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 72 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maui | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Big Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Big Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Big Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Big Beach 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 (Big Beach) 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 Big Beach 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.
Are you planning a vacation in Maui? If you are looking for accommodation near Big Beach, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Maui, consider staying in Kihei which is 17 km (11 miles) away. Other places in and around Maui where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wailuku which is 28 km (17 miles) away, Kahului, Lanai - Lanai and Kaunakakai - Molokai.











