Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's break it down for the mainland brains—Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island) is in a flat spell right now. Water temp's about normal for this time of year, but that's the only thing that's average about it in a good way. The surf's been meager, and it's gonna stay that way for a while.

Tuesday morning (Sept 8) starts with a real bump—7ft of WSW swell, 11-second period, energy around 1186—but the wind's howling onshore at 9 mph from the WSW, and it's a mess. By the afternoon, it drops to 6ft, still WSW, but the wind goes light cross-onshore, and it's marginal. Not worth the paddle.

Wednesday (Sept 9) the swell tanks to 2ft with a short 7-second period—that's just slop. Glassy in the afternoon, but there's nothing to ride. Thursday (Sept 10) is down to 1ft, though the period jumps to 16-18 seconds—that's a long-period groundswell, but with that little size, it's a tease. Clean, glassy, but no go. That story holds through Monday (Sept 14) —swell bottoming out at 0.3ft to 0.7ft, long periods up to 22 seconds, but no push. You're floating, not surfing.

Then Tuesday (Sept 15) —the swell nudges to 1ft, still tiny, but the period stays at 19-20 seconds, and the energy climbs to just over 100. Glassy, calm, and it's rideable, but barely. That continues through Wednesday (Sept 16) and into the weekend—1ft to 2ft, SW swells, periods of 16 to 18 seconds. Still not big, but clean, no wind. For a reef, that long period helps wrap it in, but it's still ankle-to-thigh high.

Thursday (Sept 17) starts poor—cross-shore wind—but the afternoon cleans up with a light cross-off. Friday (Sept 18) the morning's a bit cross-on, but the afternoon goes glassy with 2ft at 17 seconds and energy at 153. That's your best window all week, but it's small.

From Saturday (Sept 19) through Monday (Sept 21) , it's back to 1ft or less, clean, glassy mornings, but the energy keeps dropping (88, then 58, then 38). Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept 22-23) —the swell fades to 0.7ft, still long period, but just a whisper.

So here's the bottom line: nothing's too big for beginners—not once does it go over 5ft. But for the rest of us, it's not worth getting wet unless you're desperate. The one real highlight is Friday afternoon (Sept 18) at Kawaihae Breakwater—2ft SW swell, 17-second period, glassy as a pond, energy at 153. That's your shot, and it's not exactly pumping. Crowds are possible, but on days this small, you'll probably have the place to yourself.

After that, it goes flat for days—no good options through the 23rd. If you're itching for something, check the kitesurfers on Tuesday (Sept 8) when the wind's onshore and there's a bit of size—that setup's more for kites than paddle boards. Otherwise, leave the board in the rack and wait for the next swell.

Rusty

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