Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
26.6° C
0.5° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 26s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 26s period, SSW swell with 65 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 26s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kawaihae Breakwater this week:

The surf forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.2m and 26s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.2m 26s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) 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 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul)0.5ft (0.2m) 26s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul)0.5ft (0.2m) 26s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul)0.5ft (0.2m) 26s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, I’m scratching my head a bit here. The outlook for Kawaihae Breakwater is pretty flat. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves that just aren’t doing anything for us. The water is sitting at 80°F which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first few days, from the 20th through to the 26th of July, are a write-off. We’re looking at waves of just 0.7ft, with combined swell energy barely registering (24). It’s just not happening. The wind is often offshore or glassy, which would be perfect if we had any swell to work with, but we don’t. It’s a real shame because the conditions are clean, but there’s simply nothing to ride.

There’s a bit of a gap with no surf at all from the afternoon of the 25th through the 29th. Then, right at the end of the month, things start to get a little less terrible. The morning of the 31st of July sees a 1ft swell from the SW with a period of 16 seconds. That’s a long period groundswell, and combined energy jumps to 66. It’s still small, but that long period means there’ll be some energy in the water. The wind is offshore from the NE at 6 mph, so it’ll be clean. It’s not a standout, just the best of a bad bunch.

The 1st of August morning is similar – 1ft SW swell, 14 seconds, with offshore winds. The energy is 81, which is the highest we see. Again, it’s surfable, but very ordinary. After that, it fades back out.

So, to be straight with you, there’s nothing here that I’d call a proper session. The only period that might get you a few small, clean waves is the morning of the 31st of July through to the morning of the 1st of August. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window. It’s a long, flat spell for this spot.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Mon
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
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
1
1
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
WNW
12
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
12
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
26
0.2
SSW
24
0.2
SSW
18
0.3
SSW
22
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
21
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
20
1
NNE
8
0.4
SSW
18
1
NNE
8
1
NNE
8
0.9
NNE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13
17
14
26
65
55
30
0
25
25
30
16
45
27
37
0
0
0
0
0
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
10
E
5
N
5
ENE
10
ENE
10
NE
10
NE
10
ENE
15
NE
10
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
20
NE
15
ENE
10
NNE
15
NE
10
ENE
20
NE
15
NE
20
NE
Wind State
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
8:14PM0.41m
10:49AM0.54m
8:47PM0.32m
11:51AM0.59m
9:44PM0.25m
12:45PM0.63m
11:28PM0.20m
1:32PM0.66m
00:54AM0.19m
2:14PM0.70m
1:52AM0.20m
2:52PM0.72m
2:37AM0.22m
Low Tide
3:21PM0.28m
3:12AM0.03m
5:30PM0.29m
3:48AM0.04m
7:48PM0.24m
4:32AM0.04m
8:54PM0.19m
5:23AM0.04m
9:26PM0.14m
6:18AM0.02m
9:52PM0.11m
7:09AM0.01m
10:16PM0.09m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:56
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:05
7:04
7:04
7:04
7:02
7:02
7:02
 mm
Temp °C
27
26
27
27
25
27
27
25
28
27
25
27
27
25
27
28
25
26
27
25
Feels °C
29
29
30
31
28
28
28
26
27
29
26
26
25
25
27
28
26
25
27
25
  • 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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