
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 65 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 0.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’. The next 16 days start off real quiet. From now until the afternoon of Saturday the 8th of August, there’s basically nothing doing—most days are flat or have tiny, weak swells that won’t get you out of the water. The water temp is about where it should be for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The only break in the picture is Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island). It’s a reef setup, fairly consistent, and it lights up best with a west swell. The wind’s gonna be offshore or glassy for most of the run, which is a big win for clean faces.
The one to really get excited about is the morning of Saturday the 15th of August. That’s when we see the swell hit 3ft from the west, with a real long period of 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy of 347 (moderate) tells you there’s some punch behind it. The wind is light offshore, so expect glassy, lined-up waves. That long period will make the waves a bit more walled-up, but on a reef like this, it should offer some nice, open faces. Crowds are *sometimes* a problem here, so you might have some company.
The rest of the second week, from the 8th to the 14th, is mostly 1ft to 2ft west swell with periods of 13–16 seconds, and the wind stays clean or glassy. It’s all pretty ordinary, though—the wave heights are small, so you’ll be working for every little ride. The combined energy during that stretch sits between 111 and 214, so it’s moderate, but the wave quality is just so-so.
The call: the 15th is your best bet. That’s the day to make a plan. Everything else is a longboard kind of vibe.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NNE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | W 11 | NE 8 | W 12 | ENE 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
41 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 49 | 29 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 12 | 26 | 28 | 30 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:14AM0.34m | 5:28PM0.71m | 5:58AM0.38m | 5:56PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.42m | 6:25PM0.59m | 7:40AM0.47m | 6:56PM0.51m | 8:43AM0.52m | 7:30PM0.41m | 9:54AM0.57m | 8:12PM0.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:55PM0.04m | 10:35AM0.03m | 00:20AM0.03m | 11:18AM0.08m | 00:46AM0.02m | 12:07PM0.14m | 1:13AM0.01m | 1:09PM0.20m | 1:44AM-0.00m | 2:34PM0.25m | 2:20AM-0.00m | 4:37PM0.27m | 3:05AM-0.01m | ||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NE 7 | SW 14 | NE 8 | NNE 6 | NE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 5 | N 6 | ENE 11 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 5 |
47 | 40 | 60 | 55 | 96 | 29 | 84 | 36 | 64 | 30 | 22 | 16 | 18 | 47 | 23 | 19 | 11 | 26 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | N 9 | N 8 | SW 14 | E 14 | SW 14 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 12 | NE 6 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 |
41 | 65 | 13 | 5 | 49 | 4 | 48 | 41 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 56 | 9 | 45 | 38 | 21 | 12 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | ENE 8 | S 12 | S 12 | N 8 | S 11 | N 11 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | W 11 | N 6 | W 12 | N 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 13 |
14 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 26 | 28 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 78 | 80 | — | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 88 | 65 | 32 | 91 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 88 | 35 | 91 | 91 | 78 | 87 | 86 | 85 | 91 | 91 | 49 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











