Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening on our local beach. It’s a tough start, because the first week and a half is basically a bust. We’re looking at a long stretch of flat water before anything worth paddling out for shows up.

We’re talking about Kawaihae Breakwater. It’s a reef break, and we need the swell from the west to get it working. The water temperature is sitting at 81°, which is pretty normal for this time of year – no surprises there.

Here’s the deal. From Saturday the 1st right through to Sunday the 9th of August, you can leave the board in the car. The wave height is barely 0.7ft to 1ft, and the combined energy is weak, never hitting a triple-digit number. The wind is offshore or light, but it doesn’t matter because there’s just no power. That’s nine days of nothing.

Things finally start to change on Monday the 10th of August. We get a little 2ft west swell, with a 14-second period. The combined energy finally hits 101 (moderate wave energy). The wind goes glassy, so it’ll be clean, but it’s still just rideable, nothing special.

The one true standout comes on Wednesday the 13th of August. That’s the day. By morning, we’ve got 3ft of west swell, a 13-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 365 (moderate wave energy). The wind is light offshore, keeping the surface clean. The afternoon sees 3ft from the west-northwest, energy at 290, with offshore wind. That’s the best session of the whole forecast. Expect good surf conditions. Not huge, but for this spot, it’s a proper pulse with clean lines.

The swell stays rideable through the 14th and 15th, but it drops back to 2ft to 3ft. The energy stays moderate, and the wind is often glassy or light, so it’ll still be fun, but that Wednesday is the clear winner.

So, bottom line: A long, flat start. The best bet is Wednesday the 13th of August and the days that follow. Get after that clean, glassy west swell.

Rusty.

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