Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 43 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 0.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM. 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 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the immediate outlook is a bit of a quiet one. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak swell that’s just not gonna do much for a paddle surfer. From now through to the first week of September, it’s all small, poor-condition waves. The combined energy is mostly in the single digits or low double digits (31, 25, 38) – that’s weak energy, mate. The swell height is hanging around 0.7ft to 1.0ft, with a long period (13 to 17 seconds) from the SSW, but there’s just no power behind it. The winds are looking good – mostly offshore from the NE or light and glassy – so the water will be clean, but you can’t ride what isn’t there. The water temperature is 82°F with a positive anomaly of 2°F, so it’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
We’ve got a bit of a gap through the middle of the first week of September, with a few days showing zero swell energy. Then, around the 7th of September, we start to see a little bump. By Monday the 8th of September, things get a bit more interesting. The combined swell energy jumps to 181 (moderate energy) with a 3ft swell from the WSW, period of 13 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, which is a good sign for shape, but it’s still small. The wind goes glassy in the afternoon, so that’s a major positive for clean conditions.
The only spot on the radar is Kawaihae Breakwater. It’s a reef break, fairly consistent, and it’s exposed to the W swell which is what we’re getting. It’s an intermediate-level wave, and crowds are possible here. The standout window is the afternoon of Monday, 8th September. The swell is 3ft from the WSW, the wind is glassy, and that’s the best we’ve got. It’s not a big day, but it’s the one to keep an eye on. For the rest of the period, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 13 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | W 10 | SSW 12 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 5 | 4 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 25 | 8 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 35 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:26PM0.69m | 2:25AM0.28m | 2:59PM0.71m | 3:00AM0.33m | 3:28PM0.72m | 3:36AM0.38m | 3:56PM0.71m | 4:12AM0.43m | 4:24PM0.68m | 4:50AM0.48m | 4:52PM0.63m | 5:31AM0.53m | 5:21PM0.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:33PM0.09m | 7:49AM0.01m | 9:53PM0.07m | 8:30AM0.00m | 10:13PM0.05m | 9:11AM0.01m | 10:35PM0.03m | 9:51AM0.02m | 10:57PM0.01m | 10:34AM0.05m | 11:20PM-0.01m | 11:21AM0.09m | 11:45PM-0.02m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 31 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 14 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | SSW 13 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | SSW 15 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
46 | 73 | 38 | 38 | 39 | 21 | 21 | 49 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 42 | 17 | 47 | 35 | 12 | 54 | 34 | 40 | 59 | 59 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | SSW 13 | NE 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
18 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 27 | 25 | 48 | 44 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 34 | 14 | 15 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 35 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 12 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SSW 13 | E 13 | ENE 7 | W 12 | S 12 | W 11 |
13 | 5 | 4 | 25 | 24 | 5 | 12 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 7 | 39 | 18 | 7 | 16 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | 17 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 65 | 50 | 88 | 91 | 46 | 46 | 52 | 50 | 88 | 49 | 46 | 88 | 91 | 49 | 91 | 65 | 49 | 86 | 35 | 46 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











