
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 21s period, SW swell with 108 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.4m 21s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the surf is flat and has been for a while. We’re looking at a big gap here with hardly anything worth paddling out for until around the 15th of September. For nearly a week, it’s just tiny, weak dribble with combined swell energy barely scraping double digits (36 at best). The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, which is nice, but you’ll be floating more than surfing. Then, around the 15th of September, things start to flicker back to life.
The standout window is going to be from the 15th of September through the 19th of September. Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island) is the only game in town showing some real pulse. The combined energy climbs into the hundreds (106) by Tuesday morning. You’re looking at a small but long-period groundswell, around 1ft to 2ft, rolling in from the southwest with periods stretching up to 18–20 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, which gives those waves some shape and push, but you'll have longer lulls between sets. It’s a reef setup, so that long period stuff should wrap in nicely. The wind is forecast to be glassy or gentle offshore out of the northeast, especially on the 16th and 18th of September, so you're looking at clean, peeling lines.
The 16th of September Wednesday afternoon looks like the pick of the bunch. You’ve got 2ft from the SW, an 18-second period, and glassy conditions. Combined energy hits 160, which is the highest in the whole run. It’s small enough for intermediates but has enough grunt for a fun session on a longboard or a fish. Because it’s a reef, you might get some occasional company, but nothing manic.
Heads up, the 17th of September has moderate offshore winds at 12 mph, so it’ll be a bit bumpy but still clean. From the 20th of September onward, the swell backs right off again, dropping to tiny 0.7ft or 1.0ft with falling energy. The period stays long, but there’s just not enough size to get excited about. After the 19th, it’s back to flat spells.
So, if you’re itching for a wave, circle the 16th of September. It’s not a bomb, but it’s the cleanest, most energetic little window we’ve got. The rest of the time, you might wanna check the kite gear – with that consistent offshore wind and small swell, the bay might be more interesting for a kite than a paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 7 | SW 7 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | W 11 | SSW 14 | W 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
85 | 22 | 13 | 5 | 42 | 49 | 67 | 23 | 57 | 57 | 49 | 29 | 29 | 15 | 9 | 20 | 8 | 46 | 45 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 2:51AM0.39m | 3:10PM0.73m | 3:32AM0.46m | 3:45PM0.69m | 4:11AM0.53m | 4:16PM0.63m | 4:50AM0.58m | 4:46PM0.55m | 5:28AM0.61m | 5:15PM0.47m | 6:08AM0.62m | 5:43PM0.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:22PM0.01m | 8:26AM-0.02m | 9:48PM-0.01m | 9:15AM-0.00m | 10:13PM-0.02m | 10:03AM0.02m | 10:37PM-0.02m | 10:50AM0.06m | 11:00PM-0.01m | 11:39AM0.10m | 11:22PM-0.00m | 12:31PM0.14m | 11:45PM0.02m | ||||||
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
6:31 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 4 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 |
85 | 44 | 35 | 44 | 48 | 47 | 8 | 37 | 39 | 37 | 43 | 61 | 74 | 68 | 48 | 65 | 62 | 34 | 43 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 18 | NNE 8 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SSW 14 | W 10 | NNE 4 | SSW 21 |
64 | 22 | 12 | 5 | 42 | 49 | 13 | 23 | 57 | 57 | 49 | 29 | 29 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 45 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | ENE 11 | SW 9 | SW 9 | WSW 8 | ENE 5 | WSW 8 | SSW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 14 | SSW 22 | SSW 13 |
33 | 14 | 13 | 33 | 16 | 16 | 67 | 24 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 46 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 23 | 87 | 50 | 88 | 35 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 0 | 86 | 86 | 65 | 86 | 46 | 46 | 86 | 50 | 46 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










