Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, SW swell with 112 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you from the get-go – this outlook for Kawaihae Breakwater is a tough one to write. We’re looking at a solid 16-day window, but the surf is basically non-existent for the first week. It’s a real bummer, but sometimes that’s the way it goes.
The pattern is pretty lifeless to start. We’re flat from Monday, August 31st, all the way through to Friday, September 4th. The wind is offshore and clean, but with no swell, it’s just a glassy, flat lake. The water temp is sitting at about 81°, which is right around the average for this time of year, so at least a swim would be nice.
There’s a tiny flicker of hope on Saturday, September 5th. The swell picks up a bit, but it’s only 2ft from the SW, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is weak, only about 112. The wind goes glassy in the morning, which is a major positive, but the waves are described as "very ordinary." It’s barely surfable, so don’t get your hopes up.
The whole second week is a real grind. From Sunday, September 6th, through to Sunday, September 13th, we’re stuck in the same pattern. Swell heights are tiny, mostly 1.0ft to 2ft, and the combined energy never gets above 123. The wind is offshore and clean for most of it, which is nice, but you’re just not going to get a ride. The waves are too small to do anything with.
The best we’ve got on offer, and I’m using that term loosely, comes on Monday, September 14th, and Tuesday, September 15th. The swell direction stays out of the W, which is a good direction for this spot, and the period stretches to 13-14 seconds. The combined energy finally climbs into the three-digit range, hitting 141 on Monday afternoon. The swell height is still only 2ft, but the wind is light and offshore, with glassy conditions on Monday morning. It’s the most promising part of the whole forecast, but even then, it’s only "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." It’s the only time you might get a couple of fun, clean little waves, but it’s not a standout by any stretch.
So, it’s a pretty grim run. The breaks are fairly consistent for the area, which usually means it’s just a flat spell. Things can change, but for now, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | N 7 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 9 | NE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 20 | 21 | 31 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 112 | 84 | 64 | 68 | 64 | 47 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:51PM0.48m | 7:06AM0.60m | 6:23PM0.39m | 8:06AM0.61m | 6:59PM0.30m | 9:20AM0.63m | 7:55PM0.22m | 10:42AM0.65m | 10:08PM0.17m | 11:57AM0.69m | 00:08AM0.19m | 12:59PM0.72m | 1:17AM0.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:16PM0.14m | 00:12AM-0.02m | 1:23PM0.19m | 00:44AM-0.01m | 2:57PM0.22m | 1:24AM0.00m | 5:16PM0.20m | 2:19AM0.02m | 7:06PM0.15m | 3:40AM0.04m | 7:52PM0.09m | 5:12AM0.03m | 8:26PM0.06m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 6 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | NE 7 | S 13 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | SW 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 12 |
| kJ | 101 | 133 | 101 | 26 | 31 | 106 | 121 | 45 | 42 | 16 | 139 | 32 | 99 | 83 | 41 | 69 | 84 | 38 | 46 | 61 | 319 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | N 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 13 | S 14 | E 13 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | NE 8 | SW 10 | SW 10 | ENE 12 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 33 | 20 | 21 | 31 | 44 | 51 | 50 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 4 | 66 | 95 | 101 | 112 | 11 | 64 | 68 | 152 | 47 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | ENE 8 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | E 14 | E 13 | ENE 13 | NNE 11 | ENE 11 | E 13 | ENE 13 | SW 10 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 27 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 14 | 32 | 23 | 22 | 87 | 125 | 64 | 64 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | — | — | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 57 | — | — | — | 129 | 89 | 91 | — | 91 | — | — | — | — | 65 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 35 | 35 | 46 | 35 | 35 | 88 | 35 | 35 | 98 | 49 | 35 | 91 | 84 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 88 | 86 |
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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