Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 26s period, SSW swell with 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 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 offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (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
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Kawaihae Breakwater.
Honestly, it’s a pretty flat spell ahead. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak waves, and it’s not until the very end of the month that we finally see a bit of life. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so that’s one thing you won’t have to worry about.
We kick off on Monday, July 20th, with a tiny 1 ft swell from the WNW, but the real story is the glassy conditions – a light 3 mph N wind keeping it clean. However, the combined energy is a measly 27, so you’re really just bobbing around. The morning of Friday, July 31st, is where things get slightly interesting. It’s still small, but we see a 1 ft swell from the SW, and the combined energy jumps to 79. The wind is glassy out of the NNW, so the surface will be perfect. It’s still a beginner-friendly size, but it’s the only time in the whole window where the report says it’s surfable. The period is a long 16 seconds, which is a proper groundswell, so it’ll have some shape but might be a bit straight for this break.
That Friday morning is the standout here. It’s not a day for experts, but if you’re itching for a clean, tiny wave with no one else around, it’s your best bet. For the rest of the 16 days, it’s mostly flat, with many days showing zero swell. The last week of July into early August is a barren run, with combined energy readings often in the teens or zeros. The afternoon of August 4th even shows a solid 0.7 ft from the SSW with a period of 18 seconds, but the energy is only 31 – still a dud.
So, bottom line: wait for that Friday, July 31st morning. It’s not pumping, but it’s the only game in town.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 21 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | NNE 8 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 29 | 27 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 26 | 65 | 55 | 0 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 47 | 16 | 45 | 25 | 37 | 0 | 8 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:42AM0.48m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:39AM0.02m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 7:05 | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 18 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 35 | 48 | 68 | 32 | 36 | 54 | 49 | 15 | 36 | 23 | 42 | 52 | 66 | 57 | 91 | 84 | 106 | 123 | 60 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NE 7 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | E 17 |
| kJ | 29 | 27 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 106 | 91 | 78 | 75 | 47 | 61 | 59 | 76 | 51 | 102 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | NNE 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 21 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | E 17 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 26 | 65 | 55 | 5 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 8 | 16 | 45 | 25 | 37 | 23 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | 140 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 86 | 54 | 50 | 86 | 88 | 0 | 88 | 54 | 50 | 88 | 88 | 11 | 91 | 46 | 35 | 88 | 35 | 46 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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