Surf Forecasts:
James Kealoha Beach Park surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, E swell with 1,566 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with E 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at James Kealoha Beach Park in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 0.6m 11s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for James Kealoha Beach Park over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s happening at James Kealoha Beach Park. This is a reef break that’s fairly consistent and looks for a NE swell. Water temp is about 80°F, which is normal for this time of year.
I won’t sugarcoat it – the first week is a dud. From Saturday the 8th through the next week, the wind is a constant problem. Onshore and cross-onshore from the NE and NNE are just ruining the surface. There’s some swell, but it’s short-period, around 8 seconds, and the energy is moderate, but it’s all choppy and messy. The reports are calling it poor conditions day after day. There’s a big gap here with nothing worth surfing.
It starts to change on Sunday the 16th. That morning, you get a strong offshore from the S, but it’s a near gale at 31 mph, so it’s going to be a mission to get out. The swell is a solid 8ft from the E, with very strong energy (1861), but that wind is punishing. The afternoon of the 16th cleans up a bit with a fresh offshore from the SSE at 22 mph, and the swell drops to 8ft. That’s a bit more workable, but still a lot of power.
Now, the real standout is Saturday the 22nd of August. You’ve got a light ESE breeze, cross-offshore, which is going to leave the surface glassy. The swell is a consistent 5ft from the E, with the period bumping up to 9 seconds, and the energy is moderate (386). The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” and I’m all in. It’s not a huge day, but it’ll be clean, fun, and the reef will handle that E swell well. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, and with that size, it’s good for everyone.
Before that 22nd, there’s a glimmer on the 21st with 6ft and light cross-shore wind, but it’s only called marginal. The 22nd is the one.
So, bottom line: the first week and a half is a bust. The wind is the problem. The 16th is for experts only. But that Saturday the 22nd of August, with clean conditions and a solid 5ft E swell, that’s your window. Don’t miss it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | SE 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 111 | 346 | 383 | 298 | 368 | 316 | 308 | 265 | 204 | 233 | 206 | 206 | 233 | 280 | 334 | 238 | 559 | 631 | 997 | 1076 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 11:33PM0.35m | 1:35PM0.91m | 00:45AM0.39m | 2:16PM0.95m | 1:41AM0.45m | 2:54PM0.97m | 2:30AM0.51m | 3:29PM0.95m | 3:17AM0.56m | 4:01PM0.91m | 4:03AM0.60m | 4:31PM0.84m | 4:50AM0.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:59PM0.27m | 5:54AM-0.08m | 8:29PM0.22m | 6:53AM-0.12m | 8:58PM0.17m | 7:44AM-0.14m | 9:28PM0.13m | 8:30AM-0.12m | 9:58PM0.10m | 9:14AM-0.08m | 10:28PM0.07m | 9:56AM-0.00m | 10:58PM0.06m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:49 | — |
mm | 1 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 6 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 20 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | E 9 |
| kJ | 111 | 346 | 383 | 298 | 368 | 316 | 308 | 265 | 204 | 233 | 206 | 206 | 233 | 280 | 334 | 238 | 559 | 631 | 997 | 649 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | ESE 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | E 14 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 13 |
| kJ | 43 | 31 | 22 | 115 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 55 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 35 | 456 | 706 | 1021 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | N 6 | SE 14 | N 12 | NNW 11 | NE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NNW 8 | S 16 | S 20 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 12 | NE 11 | S 16 | SE 13 | S 14 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 46 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 215 | 4 | 232 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 137 | 209 | 231 | 820 | 1076 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 177 | 2 | 0 | 177 | 179 | 99 | 2 | 99 | 0 | 106 | 177 | 8 | 113 | 101 | 8 | 106 | 99 | 57 |
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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