Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here, and I'll be honest—this 16-day forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island) is a tough one. The swell is barely a whisper, and the energy is weak across the board. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, no surprises.

We're looking at a long dry spell right from the start. From Monday, 31 August through to Friday, 4 September, there's nothing worth paddling out for. The combined swell energy maxes out at just 42 (combined energy of all swells directed here) on Tuesday morning, but that's a blip. The wind is offshore and clean, but swell heights are tiny—0.7ft to 1.0ft, with a few pulses from the SSW and SW. The period is long, around 14–18 seconds, but there's no power behind it. It's a waiting game.

Then we get a little hope on Saturday, 5 September. The morning shows a 2ft SSW swell with a 10-second period, and the combined energy climbs to 95 (combined energy of all swells directed here). The wind is light and almost glassy, so it's clean. This is the standout of the whole outlook—finally, surfable waves, though very ordinary. The reef break will handle that long-period groundswell okay, but it's small. Get in early because the afternoon fades.

Sunday, 6 September, is similar: 2ft SW swell, 9-second period, and the morning has clean conditions with gentle offshore winds. The energy is only 67 (combined energy of all swells directed here), so it's small and weak. Afternoon gets worse with stronger winds.

From Monday, 7 September onward, it's a mix of poor conditions and tiny surf. Swell heights stay under 1ft, and the period varies wildly from 5 to 17 seconds, but the energy stays low—mostly below 130 (combined energy of all swells directed here). The wind is often offshore or glassy, especially in the second week, but the waves are just too small. There's a 1ft SSW swell on Tuesday, 8 September, but the wind swings cross-on and the period is short, so it's messy.

For the rest of the second week, from 9 September to 15 September, the swell is consistently 0.7ft to 1ft, with periods around 8–16 seconds. The combined energy hangs between 6 and 62 (combined energy of all swells directed here). The wind is often light or glassy, especially in the mornings, but the waves are tiny. It's a flat spell, plain and simple.

So, your best bet is Saturday morning, 5 September, with that 2ft SSW swell and clean conditions. It's not much, but it's the only real window. Everything else is a waste of time. The reef break here needs more push, and it's just not happening. Hang tight.

Rusty.

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