Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 35 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kawaihae Breakwater this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for the next couple of weeks.
It’s going to be a quiet spell. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn’t pop up until the second week, around Saturday, August 15th. Before that, from Wednesday the 5th through Friday the 14th, it’s basically flat. The swell is tiny, mostly 0.7ft to 1ft from the west or south-southwest, with a long period of 12 to 18 seconds – that’s a groundswell, but there’s just no height. The combined energy is weak, below 100. Winds are often glassy or light offshore, which would be perfect if there was a wave to ride, but there isn’t.
The best we’ve got is on Saturday, August 15th at Kawaihae Breakwater. The swell bumps up slightly to 1ft from the west-northwest, with a 14-second period, and the combined energy hits 109 (moderate). The wind is offshore from the northeast at 12 mph, keeping things clean. It’s still tiny, but it’s the most energy we’ve seen. The water is around 81°, which is about average for the time of year. This is a reef break, so those long-period west swells will wrap in nicely. The optimum swell direction is from the west, so this is a good match. Keep in mind, crowds are possible here.
Sunday the 16th of August is similar, with 2ft west swell at 14 seconds and a consistent 9 mph northeast offshore. The energy is still moderate (100-106), but again, it’s tiny. After that, it fades back to 1ft to 1ft with weak energy.
So, to be honest: the only half-decent window is that Saturday and Sunday, the 15th and 16th of August. It’s small, but if you’re jonesing for a clean, long-period roll on the reef, that’s your spot. Stay tuned, but don’t expect much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | W 12 | NE 8 | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 15 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 11 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 8 | 19 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:12PM0.32m | 11:08AM0.63m | 9:29PM0.23m | 12:16PM0.69m | 11:28PM0.19m | 1:16PM0.76m | 1:00AM0.19m | 2:08PM0.80m | 2:05AM0.23m | 2:55PM0.83m | 2:57AM0.27m | 3:37PM0.84m | 3:45AM0.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:37PM0.27m | 3:05AM-0.01m | 6:57PM0.22m | 4:04AM-0.01m | 8:13PM0.15m | 5:14AM-0.02m | 8:57PM0.09m | 6:24AM-0.04m | 9:32PM0.05m | 7:27AM-0.07m | 10:05PM0.02m | 8:23AM-0.08m | 10:36PM0.00m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NE 8 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | SSW 14 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 14 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 30 | 17 | 24 | 14 | 54 | 75 | 96 | 47 | 30 | 39 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | N 5 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | W 12 | W 12 | NE 11 | NE 10 | ENE 7 | SSW 18 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | SSW 16 | W 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 20 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 15 | 5 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 47 | 18 | 40 | 39 | 35 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | NE 4 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | NE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 11 | SSW 15 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 11 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 32 | 31 | 13 | 26 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 23 | 8 | 19 | 19 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 50 | 88 | 88 | 84 | 46 | 88 | 86 | 88 | 88 | 35 | 88 | 87 | 46 | 86 | 88 | 46 | 86 | 91 | 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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