Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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