Surf Forecasts:
James Kealoha Beach Park surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, E swell with 936 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for James Kealoha Beach Park this week:
The surf forecast for James Kealoha Beach Park over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at James Kealoha Beach Park in the next 16 days are 2.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for James Kealoha Beach Park over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks at James Kealoha Beach Park.
Alright, straight up, the first week is a bit of a slow grind. The surf is small and mostly messy, with a constant cross-onshore wind messing things up. You’ll be battling small, weak windswell in the 3ft to 5ft range, mostly from the ENE with a short period of 8 seconds. The wave energy is weak to moderate (125-223). The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Don't bother paddling out for the first few days.
Things start to wake up around the 22nd of August. The swell from the E picks up a bit, hitting 5ft to 5ft on Saturday, but the wind is still junk. Sunday the 23rd sees a jump in size to 7ft, but it’s a messy, choppy mess with NE winds gusting to 12 mph and a risk of thunderstorms. The wave energy is strong (867-887), but it's not for paddling – looks more like a kite-surfing setup.
The real standout is the 26th of August. Wednesday is the day to circle. The swell is pushing 8ft to 8ft from the ENE, with a clean, cross-offshore wind from the SE. The wave energy is very strong (1308-2003). This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. The wind stays light and clean, giving us some proper lined-up walls. Just be aware, with this size, it's expert territory.
Thursday the 27th keeps the size up, with the swell hitting 10ft from the E, but the wind swings more cross-onshore, making it a bit lumpy. The energy is still enormous (2503). For the experienced crew, it’s worth a look, but the cleanest window is definitely Wednesday.
From the 29th of August onwards, the swell drops back down to 5ft to 6ft, and the wind turns cleaner again with some cross-offshore flows. It’s surfable and clean, but nothing to write home about.
So, the pick of the bunch is the 26th of August. Get on it if you're good enough. The crowds are possible at James Kealoha, so expect some company on the peak. It’s a reef break, so watch your fins.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 204 | 191 | 135 | 202 | 160 | 192 | 159 | 112 | 119 | 57 | 46 | 61 | 54 | 157 | 270 | 371 | 701 | 867 | 865 | 873 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 5:41PM0.58m | 7:37AM0.61m | 5:52PM0.50m | 9:03AM0.61m | 5:11PM0.43m | 10:44AM0.63m | 11:57AM0.68m | 9:40PM0.31m | 12:45PM0.72m | 11:41PM0.34m | 1:21PM0.77m | 00:34AM0.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:27AM0.07m | 1:21PM0.39m | 1:03AM0.10m | 4:14PM0.43m | 1:53AM0.12m | 3:11AM0.13m | 8:36PM0.31m | 8:07PM0.28m | 5:43AM0.08m | 8:15PM0.25m | ||||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 5 | 7 | 13 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 204 | 191 | 135 | 202 | 160 | 192 | 159 | 112 | 119 | 57 | 46 | 61 | 46 | 157 | 270 | 371 | 701 | 867 | 865 | 873 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 10 | NE 7 | SE 10 | NNE 7 | SE 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | SE 9 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | N 6 | S 13 |
| kJ | 18 | 15 | 43 | 15 | 35 | 13 | 8 | 29 | 13 | 48 | 31 | 23 | 35 | 25 | 26 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 22 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | SE 10 | NE 8 | SSE 10 | N 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 7 | S 15 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 13 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 20 | 28 | 25 | 54 | 16 | 17 | 3 | 50 | 50 | 13 | 71 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 177 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 89 | 8 | 2 | 89 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 92 | 99 | 99 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the James Kealoha Beach Park Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for James Kealoha Beach Park provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at James Kealoha Beach Park can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our James Kealoha Beach Park 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 (James Kealoha Beach Park) 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 James Kealoha Beach Park 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.
James Kealoha Beach Park is 7 km (4 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.
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