Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
27.7°C
1.1° 

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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 43 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 0.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM. 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 30th Aug)1ft (0.3m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break it down. For the next couple of weeks, we’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak swell with mostly offshore winds – looks great, but there’s barely a wave to ride. The only spot on the list is Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island). Water temp is a touch warmer than normal, sitting at 82°.

From Tuesday the 25th through the end of August, the swell is stuck at around 0.7 ft. Offshore breeze from the NE keeps it clean, but the combined wave energy is in the weak range, between 25 and 45. That’s a lot of flat days with a nice look but no push.

The first few days of September are more of the same. On the 2nd and 3rd, we get morning glass – 0.7 ft from the W, period around 10 seconds, energy in the single digits. Clean as can be, but dead flat. For a reef break that prefers W swell, this is a slow spell.

Finally, on Sunday the 6th of September, there’s a little bump. Swell hits 1 ft from the WNW, 14 seconds, with energy climbing to 70 (still weak). Light offshore NE wind. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.

Then Monday the 7th of September is the real standout. Swell at 1 ft from the SSW, long period of 15 seconds, and energy jumps to 168 (moderate). That’s groundswell. Wind goes glassy in the morning, light offshore in the afternoon. The long period means better shape, but at a reef break, expect long gaps between sets.

Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of September keep the small window open. Tuesday morning is 2 ft from the W, 12 seconds, energy 80 (weak), with a light NE offshore breeze. Wednesday morning bumps energy to 101 (moderate) with a 2 ft W swell, 12 seconds, but the wind picks up to 12 mph from the NE – still offshore, but stronger. The afternoon on the 9th drops back into weak range.

Best on offer is Monday the 7th of September. That morning glassy session with moderate groundswell from the SSW, 15 seconds, and light wind is the cleanest window. Long waits between sets. Crowds are possible.

For kite surfers, the steady offshore breeze and tiny waves might be more interesting than paddle surfing for most of this forecast.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
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
16
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
15
0.3
SSW
15
0.3
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
W
10
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
15
0.3
SW
15
0.3
SW
15
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
25
24
21
21
27
17
24
0
0
0
18
8
16
28
27
25
22
36
33
20
20
Wind (km/h)
20
NE
10
NE
20
ENE
20
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
10
ENE
15
ENE
10
NE
15
NE
10
ENE
15
NE
10
NE
15
ENE
10
NNE
10
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
2:59PM0.71m
3:00AM0.33m
3:28PM0.72m
3:36AM0.38m
3:56PM0.71m
4:12AM0.43m
4:24PM0.68m
4:50AM0.48m
4:52PM0.63m
5:31AM0.53m
5:21PM0.56m
6:15AM0.57m
5:51PM0.48m
Low Tide
9:53PM0.07m
8:30AM0.00m
10:13PM0.05m
9:11AM0.01m
10:35PM0.03m
9:51AM0.02m
10:57PM0.01m
10:34AM0.05m
11:20PM-0.01m
11:21AM0.09m
11:45PM-0.02m
12:16PM0.14m
00:12AM-0.02m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:07
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:44
6:43
6:43
6:42
6:40
6:39
6:38
 mm
Temp °C
28
29
26
27
27
25
27
27
25
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
28
26
28
28
26
Feels °C
28
30
27
27
27
25
28
28
27
29
29
27
28
29
28
29
30
29
29
30
26
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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