Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 07 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
27.2° C
0.8° 

Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 37 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 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 2AM (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. Looking at the next couple of weeks, it’s a bit of a slow burn. The surf is going to be tiny to non-existent for the first week, so don’t get your hopes up for any quick hits. We’re looking at a long stretch of flatness before things even think about waking up. The good news is that once it does, the conditions look like they’ll be pretty clean. Hang tight, this is a waiting game.

Right off the bat, from Friday the 7th through the following Saturday the 15th, there’s essentially nothing on offer. We're talking swell heights of just 0.7ft to 1ft. The break at Kawaihae Breakwater is going to be a lake. The energy is weak, too – readings are mostly under 100, like 29 or 48 on the combined energy scale, which just confirms there’s no push at all. Even though the wind is mostly offshore and light, which is great for keeping things clean, there’s just no wave to ride. It’s going to feel like a total flat spell, so maybe catch up on some sleep or fix your gear.

The first real signs of life show up on Sunday the 17th. We finally see the combined energy jump into triple digits, hitting 122 in the morning and 155 in the afternoon, which tells us there’s some moderate energy finally arriving. The swell is still small, coming in around 1ft – 2ft from the W, but with a long-period of 15 seconds. That's a proper groundswell, and it brings better shaped waves. The morning looks pretty clean with a gentle 15 km/h NE offshore wind. It won’t be big, but it’s the first thing that’s actually surfable.

Monday the 18th keeps that promise, with similar 2ft – 2ft W swell and another 15-second period. It's not pumping, but the energy is still there, with readings of 126 and 82. The winds are lighter, from the N and NNE, which should keep the surface pretty tidy. Again, it's not going to blow your mind, but after a week of nothing, it's a welcome sight.

After that, we go right back into the small stuff. From Tuesday the 19th onward, the swell backs down to 1ft – 2ft and periods drop back to the 11-13 second range. The energy is back in the two-digit range, like 83 or 73, which is weak. The winds are light and mostly cross-off or glassy at times, so the surf will be perfect for a longboard if you’re desperate, but there’s just no juice. The highlight of this period is probably the Thursday morning on the 21st, with a 1ft and a long 18-second period SW swell showing 73 in energy. Still small, but it hints that the ocean is trying to do something.

Honestly, the standout window is that Sunday the 17th and Monday the 18th. It’s the most size and energy we see, the winds are favorable, and the period is long. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the only time we get any kind of real wave. For the rest of the run, it’s a waiting game. The forecast this far out is promising, but treat it as a possibility, not a guarantee. I'll be checking the surf report.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
19
0.2
SSW
18
0.2
SSW
18
0.2
SSW
18
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
12
0.3
W
12
0.3
W
11
0.3
W
11
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
W
10
0.2
W
15
0.3
W
13
0.3
S
18
0.3
WNW
13
0.3
SSW
16
0.3
W
12
0.3
W
12
0.2
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
18
18
37
32
31
30
28
25
23
21
21
23
8
17
29
0
33
0
25
25
11
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
5
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
20
NE
15
ENE
5
NNE
5
ENE
10
ENE
5
NNE
10
NE
10
E
15
NE
10
ENE
15
ENE
15
NNE
15
NE
10
ENE
15
NNE
15
NE
10
ENE
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
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
4:52PM0.76m
Low Tide
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
10:03AM-0.03m
11:35PM-0.01m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:57
6:55
6:55
6:54
6:53
6:53
6:52
 mm
Temp °C
28
28
26
27
28
26
28
28
27
28
28
27
28
28
26
28
28
26
28
28
26
Feels °C
30
31
28
29
29
29
31
32
31
31
32
29
29
29
27
28
29
27
29
30
27
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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