
Surf Forecasts:
Kahalu'u surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, S swell with 412 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kahalu'u this week:
The surf forecast for Kahalu'u over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kahalu'u in the next 16 days are 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 17s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kahalu'u over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for Kahalu'u over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, it’s a slow start. The surf is small and the conditions are a bit average for the first week and a half or so. The real standout window is at the end of the run, and it’s promising enough to keep an eye on.
For Wednesday the 15th, the morning is a write-off. The swell is weak at 3ft from the WNW, but the wind is cross-on and choppy. The combined energy is only 468, so there’s not much push. The afternoon cleans up nicely though – the wind goes light cross-off, the swell bumps to 3ft with a very long 16 second period, and the energy climbs to 529. It’s clean, but still small. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are pretty marginal. The swell drops and the wind is onshore or cross, so the face is messy. Small waves, nothing to get excited about.
The weekend of the 18th and 19th is flat and weak. Swell drops to 1ft to 2ft, and the energy is low (250-286). The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no drama there.
Monday the 20th afternoon is a brief bright spot. The wind goes glassy – perfect conditions – and the swell is 3ft from the south with a 15 second period. The energy is 433, and it’s described as good surf. That’s a nice little session if you can sneak out.
Things get a bit more interesting around Wednesday the 22nd morning. The swell is only 2ft, but the period hits 24 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is 599, so there’s some pulse. For a reef break like Kahalu'u, that long period should wrap in nicely, making for some lined-up, clean waves. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s rideable. This is a solid option for the experienced surfer who knows the reef.
The real standout, though, is Saturday the 25th afternoon. This is your best bet. The swell bumps to 4ft from the SSW, with an 18 second period – classic groundswell. The wind goes glassy, dead calm. The combined energy rockets to 900. That’s a solid, clean, powerful swell at a beginner-friendly reef break. It’s going to be the best waves of the whole forecast. Because it’s Kahalu'u, it can get crowded, so get out there early or late.
After that, the last few days of July and into the 30th, the surf drops back down to knee-to-waist high, with marginal conditions and onshore winds. Nothing to plan around.
So, if you’re waiting for a session, hold out for Saturday the 25th afternoon. That’s the one. The Monday afternoon the 20th is a backup, and the Wednesday morning the 22nd is a wildcard for the long-period swell but only for the skilled crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Fri night, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | S 19 | S 18 | S 14 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
273 | 329 | 400 | 380 | 360 | 272 | 268 | 203 | 198 | 163 | 160 | 158 | 117 | 110 | 155 | 57 | 251 | 357 | 339 | 390 | 184 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:24AM0.37m | 5:02PM0.91m | 5:16AM0.40m | 5:40PM0.85m | 6:10AM0.44m | 6:15PM0.76m | 7:07AM0.48m | 6:47PM0.67m | 8:10AM0.52m | 7:17PM0.57m | 9:18AM0.55m | 7:44PM0.48m | 10:31AM0.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:29PM0.10m | 9:50AM0.01m | 00:04AM0.09m | 10:39AM0.07m | 00:38AM0.09m | 11:29AM0.14m | 1:10AM0.09m | 12:23PM0.22m | 1:41AM0.10m | 1:28PM0.31m | 2:13AM0.11m | 2:57PM0.37m | 2:47AM0.13m | 5:17PM0.38m | |||||||
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
7:05 | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | |
mm | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 |
273 | 329 | 400 | 380 | 360 | 272 | 268 | 203 | 196 | 163 | 160 | 158 | 117 | 96 | 82 | 140 | 251 | 357 | 339 | 390 | 184 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | S 17 | S 16 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 12 | S 18 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 12 |
197 | 113 | 73 | 201 | 73 | 113 | 149 | 131 | 198 | 138 | 89 | 87 | 87 | 50 | 155 | 47 | 53 | 50 | 33 | 74 | 107 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | S 9 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 8 | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 15 | S 19 | WNW 12 | S 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | WNW 11 | SW 16 |
80 | 26 | 56 | 78 | 130 | 112 | 54 | 68 | 35 | 15 | 21 | 4 | 17 | 110 | 49 | 57 | 27 | 26 | 69 | 12 | 68 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | SW 7 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 54 | 0 | 6 | 51 | 31 | 0 | 51 | 26 | 24 | 46 | 31 | 38 | 51 | 125 | 0 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 98 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kahalu'u Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kahalu'u provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kahalu'u can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kahalu'u 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 (Kahalu'u) 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 Kahalu'u 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.
Kahalu'u is 93 km (58 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.











