Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 2,618 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let's break down the Kawaihae Breakwater forecast for the next couple weeks.
Honestly, the first part of the outlook is a bust. You got clean offshore winds but zero surf. Nothing to do but leave the board in the truck.
Saturday the 5th, we finally see a pulse. A small 3ft swell from the SSW with a 12 second period shows up. The energy is moderate at 156. It's rideable, but nothing to write home about.
Now, Sunday the 6th is the real deal. Morning glass with a clean 3ft SW swell (13 seconds) and 268 in energy (moderate). By the afternoon, it's 4ft from the SW at 13 seconds with energy hitting 451. Dead calm, glassy conditions. This is the session to circle.
Monday the 7th keeps the stoke high. Morning glass, 4ft SW at 13 seconds, energy 473. The afternoon goes even better: 5ft SW, still 13 seconds, and the energy is a strong 701. This is the best of the whole run. Water temp is 82°, right about average for the season.
But watch out for Tuesday the 8th. The swell jumps to 8ft from the WSW (13 seconds) with an enormous energy of 2469 (very strong). The wind turns onshore, so it's gonna be a choppy, blown-out mess. Experts only, and even they might struggle. Quality is questionable.
After that, the run goes flat for a long stretch. From Wednesday the 9th all the way through the 17th, it's mostly tiny surf under 2ft with weak energy. Even with glassy winds, there's just nothing to push you down the line. You'll see a very long period (21 seconds) on the 15th, but with only 1ft of swell, it won't break properly here.
Bottom line: your window is Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th. A nice, long-period SW groundswell, glassy winds, and clean waves. This spot can get a crowd though, so expect some company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | NNE 7 | W 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 156 | 231 | 268 | 451 | 430 | 473 | 701 | 2025 | 2469 | 1261 | 313 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:59PM0.30m | 9:20AM0.63m | 7:55PM0.22m | 10:42AM0.65m | 10:08PM0.17m | 11:57AM0.69m | 00:08AM0.19m | 12:59PM0.72m | 1:17AM0.24m | 1:49PM0.75m | 2:08AM0.31m | 2:32PM0.75m | 2:51AM0.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:57PM0.22m | 1:24AM0.00m | 5:16PM0.20m | 2:19AM0.02m | 7:06PM0.15m | 3:40AM0.04m | 7:52PM0.09m | 5:12AM0.03m | 8:26PM0.06m | 6:29AM0.01m | 8:55PM0.03m | 7:32AM-0.01m | 9:22PM0.01m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | S 13 | NE 6 | SSW 12 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 14 | NE 10 | WSW 11 | W 10 |
| kJ | 107 | 82 | 64 | 85 | 31 | 54 | 48 | 30 | 52 | 49 | 231 | 268 | 451 | 430 | 473 | 701 | 2025 | 94 | 1261 | 313 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NE 5 | S 14 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 | E 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | ENE 12 | NE 6 | NE 11 | SSW 15 | NE 9 | SW 9 |
| kJ | 45 | 42 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 33 | 16 | 75 | 106 | 156 | 34 | 37 | 33 | 30 | 167 | 43 | 171 | 43 | 67 | 132 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | S 14 | W 9 | E 14 | S 11 | N 8 | ENE 14 | ENE 14 | ENE 13 | E 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | SSW 17 | ENE 12 | SSW 16 | E 14 | SSW 14 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 1 | 66 | 66 | 60 | 87 | 82 | 83 | 115 | 96 | 121 | 81 | 15 | 70 | 46 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | — | — | WSW 13 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 34 | — | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | 2469 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 49 | 91 | 35 | 49 | 91 | 98 | 0 | 88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
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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