Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SSW swell with 120 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kawaihae Breakwater this week:
The surf forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for this stretch.
Straight up, this is a tough one for Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island). The whole 16-day window is a lean run with no real swell to speak of. We’re not talking about a gap of a few days; this is a near-blank forecast from start to finish. The combined swell energy barely gets out of the single digits, topping out at a weak 76 (moderate wave energy) on Friday the 24th afternoon, but even that’s just a tiny 1ft southwest swell. The water temp is sittin’ at 80°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.
The best we can say is that the wind is mostly offshore from the northeast, keepin’ things clean, but with no wave height, it’s all show and no go. A few afternoons, like Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th, go glassy, but the swell is still pathetic. Even the longest period swells – that 18-second groundswell on Thursday the 30th – are just too small to do anything with. This setup is more for the kite surfers than paddle surfers, if you’re desperate for a session.
For a highlight, you’re lookin’ at Friday the 7th of August. The afternoon shows a tiny 2ft west swell with a 12-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is a weak 88 (still moderate wave energy). It’s surfable, but “very ordinary” is the word. It’s the best on offer, but that’s a low bar. Crowds are possible at this break, but honestly, with this lack of swell, you’ll have it to yourself.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | NNE 8 | SW 14 | NNE 8 | W 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | ENE 11 | W 9 | SW 5 | SW 4 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 25 | 30 | 17 | 76 | 25 | 37 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 11:28PM0.20m | 1:32PM0.66m | 00:54AM0.19m | 2:14PM0.70m | 1:52AM0.20m | 2:52PM0.72m | 2:37AM0.22m | 3:27PM0.74m | 3:16AM0.24m | 3:59PM0.76m | 3:54AM0.27m | 4:30PM0.76m | 4:33AM0.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:54PM0.19m | 5:23AM0.04m | 9:26PM0.14m | 6:18AM0.02m | 9:52PM0.11m | 7:09AM0.01m | 10:16PM0.09m | 7:56AM-0.01m | 10:41PM0.08m | 8:38AM-0.02m | 11:05PM0.06m | 9:17AM-0.02m | 11:30PM0.05m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SSW 16 | NNE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NNE 10 | ENE 12 | E 12 | ENE 11 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 66 | 32 | 69 | 65 | 68 | 95 | 149 | 98 | 103 | 84 | 91 | 42 | 41 | 135 | 30 | 76 | 219 | 194 | 48 | 89 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | E 14 | SSW 16 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NNE 9 | SSW 14 | NNE 8 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 75 | 66 | 61 | 76 | 76 | 51 | 102 | 102 | 86 | 16 | 48 | 13 | 29 | 33 | 37 | 39 | 111 | 36 | 53 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | S 11 | SW 14 | E 14 | W 8 | E 14 | S 10 | — | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 14 | W 9 | SW 5 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 25 | 30 | 17 | 10 | 25 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 1 | 14 | 2 | — | 41 | — | — | 37 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | — | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 103 | — | 98 | 86 | — | 121 | 173 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 49 | 88 | 0 | 50 | 88 | 35 | 35 | 88 | 35 | 50 | 86 | 88 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 29 | 21 | 22 | 85 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kawaihae Breakwater Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kawaihae Breakwater provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kawaihae Breakwater can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kawaihae Breakwater 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 (Kawaihae Breakwater) 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 Kawaihae Breakwater 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.
Kawaihae Breakwater is 87 km (54 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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