Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
27.2° C
0.6° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with 78 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with WNW 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 (Aug 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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 1.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Wed 19th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf 8AM (Wed 19th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let's talk about this in feet and miles per hour. Kawaihae Breakwater (Hawaii) is the only game in town for the next 16 days, and to be honest, it's a pretty quiet stretch. The water is 81°, which is dead average for this time of year.

The first few days are a total bust. We're looking at tiny 1-foot dribbles from the WNW, with a long period of 11 to 12 seconds, which would be nice if it had any power. The combined energy is weak, in the 25 to 53 range, and the reports say "poor surf conditions". It's glassy or clean, but there's nothing to ride. From Thursday the 20th through to Sunday the 30th of August, it's a flat spell. The swell bumps up to 1 to 2 feet, and the period goes long to 15 to 18 seconds early on – that's a proper groundswell. The energy climbs into the low hundreds, hitting 105 on the 21st, but the waves are still weak and the conditions are "ordinary". You'll be out there with nothing to push you. The 23rd and 24th are back to tiny, with the 24th being the worst at just 0.3 to 0.7 feet and energy readings of 5 to 19.

The first real highlight comes on Monday the 31st of August. The morning looks good, with a 3-foot swell from the SSW, a 12-second period, and a combined energy of 333 (strong). The wind is a gentle offshore breeze from the NE, keeping it clean. This is the standout of the whole forecast. It's a proper groundswell, so the reef will handle it well, and the shape should be solid. The afternoon gets windier, with a 15 mph offshore, which is a bit punchy but still clean. The energy drops to 287 for the afternoon, but the morning is the clear winner.

After that, the first week of September sees the swell drop back to 2 to 3 feet, with energy readings in the 170s to 250s. The winds are okay, but it's nothing like that Monday. The 2nd of September afternoon has a 3-foot swell from the WSW, but the wind is cross-off, and the conditions are "poor". It's a long, quiet patch for Kawaihae. Keep your eyes on that Monday morning – it's the only real moment worth chasing.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
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
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
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)
0.3
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.3
WNW
12
0.3
SW
16
0.3
SW
18
0.3
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.3
SW
15
0.4
SW
16
0.4
NW
12
0.3
SW
15
0.4
NW
10
0.2
WNW
10
0.2
SSW
14
0.1
NW
11
0.8
NNE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
25
25
33
48
28
41
49
47
69
69
65
64
37
63
38
46
26
9
19
5
0
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
5
NE
10
ENE
5
NNE
10
NE
5
ENE
5
NW
5
N
0
S
0
WNW
5
ENE
10
ENE
5
NNE
10
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
20
NE
15
ENE
5
NE
10
NE
10
ENE
Wind State
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
8:37AM0.54m
7:15PM0.33m
9:44AM0.55m
7:33PM0.25m
10:59AM0.57m
12:08PM0.59m
11:45PM0.18m
1:04PM0.62m
1:02AM0.20m
1:49PM0.66m
1:48AM0.23m
2:26PM0.69m
2:25AM0.28m
Low Tide
3:09PM0.25m
1:51AM0.05m
5:41PM0.25m
2:31AM0.07m
3:32AM0.09m
8:34PM0.15m
8:53PM0.12m
6:05AM0.06m
9:13PM0.10m
7:02AM0.04m
9:33PM0.09m
part cloud
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part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
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part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:50
6:49
6:47
6:46
6:46
6:45
6:45
 mm
Temp °C
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
28
27
28
28
26
28
28
26
29
29
27
28
28
26
Feels °C
30
31
29
31
31
29
30
32
32
32
32
30
31
31
28
32
31
29
31
32
28
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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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