Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our patch of coast. It’s a tough one to call because the outlook is pretty grim for a long stretch. For the first week, from August 8th right through to August 15th, we’re looking at a serious flat spell. The swell is barely registering, with heights struggling to hit 1ft, and the combined energy is a measly 32 (32) at best. That’s just not enough to push a ripple. You’ll be staring at a lake, not a wave. The offshore winds are there, plenty of clean, glassy mornings, but with no swell, it’s just a pretty picture. This dry spell goes on for a solid eight days, so don’t even bother waxing up.

Then, on the morning of Sunday, August 16th, things finally stir. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits a moderate 245 (245). The winds are offshore from the NE at 12 mph, keeping it clean. Now, this is at Kawaihae Breakwater, a reef setup. That size is small for a reef, but it's the most we’ve seen. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there. The direction is a bit off the optimum W, but it’s something. It’s surfable, but it’s not a standout. The crowds are only sometimes a problem here, so it’s a decent bet for a solo mission.

The next flicker of life comes on Tuesday, August 18th. The morning is glassy, with a 1ft swell from the WNW, a period of 14 seconds, and combined energy of 68 (68). That’s weak, but the long period means it’ll have some shape. The afternoon is clean with a light offshore. It’s still very small, but if you’re on a longboard, you might scratch into a few.

Looking further out, the surf stays small, but there’s a glimmer on Friday, August 21st, in the afternoon. A 1ft swell from the SW with a 16-second period gives a combined energy of 69 (69). The period is very long, which is great for a reef like Kawaihae; it’ll stand up and offer a proper wall, but it’s tiny. The winds are offshore from the NE at 9 mph, keeping it clean. Again, it’s a longboard day.

The best on offer? Honestly, it’s the morning of Sunday, August 16th. That 3ft SSW swell is the biggest we’ll see, and with offshore wind, it’s the only session that feels like actual surfing. It’s not a standout for the history books, but it’s the standout in this flat run. The rest of the 16 days are mostly a write-off. Don’t get your hopes up, but forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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