Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 08 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
26.9° C
1.1° 

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 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, W swell with 314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period with W 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 20s. 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 10th Jul)1ft (0.3m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 14th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 15th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s

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


Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for our little corner of the lineup.

Right off the bat, it’s a flat start. We’re looking at a solid few days of nothing much happening from Wednesday the 8th through to Friday the 10th of July. The water is sitting at about 80°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, but there’s just no energy in the water to play with. You’d be floating, not surfing.

Things start to stir on Saturday the 11th. The swell finally shows up, but it’s small and weak. We’re looking at a combined energy of 112 (moderate), with waves around 1 ft coming from the SW. The wind is offshore from the NE at 12 mph, which keeps things clean, but honestly, it’s pretty ordinary. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a splash.

The real story starts to build from Wednesday the 15th of July. That’s when we get a decent little pulse. The swell picks up to 3 ft from the W, with a period of 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and it’s got some push. The combined energy jumps to 354 (strong). The wind stays offshore or light, so conditions are clean. Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island) is going to be the spot to look at. The swell direction is straight out of the west, which is the optimum direction for this reef. It’s a fairly consistent break, but it can get a crowd sometimes, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Thursday the 16th of July keeps that energy going, with similar 3 ft W swell and clean offshore breezes. This is the best stretch of the whole outlook. The water is still that touch warmer than normal, and the conditions are just right for a reef break like this. The long 16-second period means the waves will have good shape and plenty of energy, but keep in mind it might be a bit too lined up for a beach break – perfect for the reef here, though.

After that, the swell starts to ease back down. Friday the 17th drops to 2 ft, and by Saturday the 18th it’s back to 2 ft. The wind goes glassy on Saturday morning, which is a nice touch, but the size is fading. By Sunday the 19th, it’s pretty much done. The rest of the run into the 23rd of July is flat again, with poor surf conditions and no real energy to speak of.

So, the standout is Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th of July. That’s your window. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, it’s consistent, and the swell direction is dialed in for the break. If you can get out there, you’ll get some fun ones.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
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
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNE
7
0.1
W
16
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
15
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
16
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
14
0.3
W
14
0.4
W
14
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
14
0.5
W
18
0.4
WNW
16
0.6
W
16
0.7
W
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
0
5
5
17
16
20
31
37
32
61
79
77
91
89
86
78
54
160
82
193
293
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
10
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
NNE
10
NE
10
ENE
20
NE
20
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
25
NE
20
NE
10
NE
20
NE
10
ENE
15
NE
10
ENE
15
ENE
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
11:40AM0.59m
10:02PM0.32m
12:37PM0.68m
11:22PM0.25m
1:30PM0.77m
00:46AM0.21m
2:20PM0.83m
1:57AM0.20m
3:08PM0.87m
2:58AM0.21m
3:55PM0.89m
3:53AM0.23m
4:39PM0.88m
4:46AM0.27m
Low Tide
6:20PM0.26m
4:47AM-0.04m
7:57PM0.20m
5:37AM-0.06m
9:02PM0.12m
6:31AM-0.08m
9:51PM0.07m
7:27AM-0.10m
10:33PM0.03m
8:21AM-0.11m
11:13PM0.01m
9:14AM-0.10m
11:51PM-0.00m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:06
7:06
7:06
7:06
7:06
7:06
7:06
 mm
Temp °C
27
27
25
27
28
26
27
28
26
27
27
25
27
27
25
26
27
25
27
27
25
Feels °C
27
28
26
28
29
28
30
31
28
28
28
25
28
27
25
27
28
24
28
29
27
  • Map Icons:
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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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