
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 35 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kawaihae Breakwater this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’re looking at a pretty quiet stretch ahead for the Kawaihae Breakwater. The first week is a write-off. From Friday the 7th to Sunday the 16th, the swell is tiny—mostly 0.7ft to 1ft—and the combined energy is weak, staying below 100. You’ll see a few afternoons with glassy or light offshore winds, but there’s just no wave power to work with. It’s a real flat spell.
Things start to perk up a little on Monday the 17th. The swell nudges up to 2ft to 2ft from the west, with a period of 14 seconds—that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy climbs into the moderate range (150 to 153) and the wind stays light offshore from the ENE. It’s still not breaking necks, but the reef will start to show some shape. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so not a shock when you get in.
That Wednesday the 19th, the afternoon turns glassy again with a 1ft WNW swell, but the period drops to 11 seconds. It’s rideable, but nothing special.
The best window looks like Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd. The swell shifts to the SW, with a long period of 17 to 19 seconds, and the energy sits in the 100 to 126 range—moderate but improving. Winds are light and variable, mostly offshore. The wave heights are still only 1.0ft to 1ft, so it’s a small-wave reef session. The period is long enough that the waves will bend nicely around the point, but for a break this exposed to the west, that long-period groundswell can straighten out a bit at the beach. Still, with the light winds and the reef setup, it’s the pick of the fortnight.
The big standout? Monday the 17th through Tuesday the 18th gets the nod for the best combination of swell size, moderate energy, and clean offshore winds. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got.
Crowds can be an issue at Kawaihae Breakwater sometimes, so keep that in mind if you’re heading in.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 13 | W 11 | W 13 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
20 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 22 | 30 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:29PM0.23m | 12:16PM0.69m | 11:28PM0.19m | 1:16PM0.76m | 1:00AM0.19m | 2:08PM0.80m | 2:05AM0.23m | 2:55PM0.83m | 2:57AM0.27m | 3:37PM0.84m | 3:45AM0.33m | 4:16PM0.81m | 4:30AM0.38m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:04AM-0.01m | 8:13PM0.15m | 5:14AM-0.02m | 8:57PM0.09m | 6:24AM-0.04m | 9:32PM0.05m | 7:27AM-0.07m | 10:05PM0.02m | 8:23AM-0.08m | 10:36PM0.00m | 9:15AM-0.06m | 11:06PM-0.01m | |||||||
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
6:57 | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 11 | NE 6 | NE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
8 | 7 | 23 | 18 | 24 | 15 | 32 | 39 | 73 | 40 | 55 | 70 | 15 | 54 | 64 | 23 | 9 | 51 | 28 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 12 | W 12 | W 13 | NE 10 | SSW 18 | NE 7 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | SSW 15 | NE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
20 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 31 | 19 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 47 | 11 | 40 | 40 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 51 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | NE 9 | SSW 12 | NE 9 | SSW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 13 | W 11 | W 13 | W 12 |
6 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 32 | 17 | 30 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 22 | 30 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 5 | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | — | — |
— | — | — | 20 | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 78 | 86 | 65 | 46 | 98 | 46 | 35 | 87 | 87 | 46 | 86 | 88 | 46 | 91 | 91 | 84 | 86 | 91 | 49 |
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.











