
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 15s period, W swell with 38 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) 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 1.1m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it.
First off, the water here at Kawaihae Breakwater is sitting at 81°, which is right around that 1° warmer than average for this time of year. Nothing crazy, just normal tropical warmth.
Right now, we’re looking at a flat spell. There’s nothing to surf for the first week, from Sunday the 2nd through to Saturday the 9th. The ocean is basically just a lake during that time, with swell energy values in the single digits or teens. You’re getting a few tiny wobbles of 0.7ft to 1ft from the west, but there’s just no push behind it. It's not even worth paddling out for.
Things start to stir a little on Monday the 10th. The swell builds to 1ft, and by Tuesday afternoon we get that energy reading into triple digits for the first time – 107. It's still really small and weak, but the period is starting to lengthen, hitting 14 to 15 seconds. That’s the first hint of something more organized. The wind is super light and clean, mostly offshore from the northeast, so the surface will be glassy, but you’d be fighting for a knee-high ripple.
The middle of the week, the 12th and 13th, sees the energy climbing – we get up to 116 and then 183. The swell bumps to 2ft and then 2ft, and the period gets up to 16 seconds. It's still a far cry from epic, but it’s getting surfable for a log. The wind stays light and offshore for the most part, so conditions are clean.
Then, we hit the first real standout of the forecast. Friday the 14th afternoon and all of Saturday the 15th. The swell pushes up to 2ft, and then 3ft, with a solid 15-second period from the west. The energy readings are strong, in the 270s. This is the first time we can call it “good,” with clean, light offshore winds. Kawaihae Breakwater (Hawaii) will be the spot. It’s a reef break, so it handles this long-period west swell well, and the NE offshore wind is right in its wheelhouse. It won’t be big, maybe chest high at best, but it’ll have some push and shape. This is your best window of the first week and a half.
After that, there's a slight dip on the 16th with the energy dropping. But then, hold on to your board shorts. The real standout is Monday the 17th of August. That morning, the combined energy jumps to a massive 536, and the swell is a solid 3ft with a 16-second period from the west. This is the biggest, most powerful swell in the whole forecast. It’s still not huge, but it’s a proper head-high wave. The wind is glassy in the morning, turning to a light offshore in the afternoon. This looks like the pick of the entire 16-day run. It's a week and a half out, so don't book your flights yet, but this is the one to keep an eye on. Kawaihae is a fairly consistent reef, and this looks like the day it all lines up.
Keep in mind, while this is a reef break and better for the long-period swell, the size stays under 5ft, so it’s still manageable for a confident beginner, but we're really talking about a fun, clean day for the intermediate crew.
Right now, we’ve got a long, dry spell to get through, but the pattern points to some fun waves rolling in by the middle of next week and a real gem on the 17th.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 14 | W 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 28 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 32 | 31 | 30 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:25PM0.59m | 7:40AM0.47m | 6:56PM0.51m | 8:43AM0.52m | 7:30PM0.41m | 9:54AM0.57m | 8:12PM0.32m | 11:08AM0.63m | 9:29PM0.23m | 12:16PM0.69m | 11:28PM0.19m | 1:16PM0.76m | 1:00AM0.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:07PM0.14m | 1:13AM0.01m | 1:09PM0.20m | 1:44AM-0.00m | 2:34PM0.25m | 2:20AM-0.00m | 4:37PM0.27m | 3:05AM-0.01m | 6:57PM0.22m | 4:04AM-0.01m | 8:13PM0.15m | 5:14AM-0.02m | 8:57PM0.09m | ||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 11 | ENE 11 | NNE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
47 | 36 | 44 | 22 | 27 | 60 | 79 | 12 | 39 | 53 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 49 | 39 | 14 | 104 | 78 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | N 6 | N 6 | ENE 11 | NNE 6 | W 13 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 14 | NE 9 | W 12 | NE 9 | W 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 |
35 | 51 | 31 | 30 | 17 | 19 | 6 | 46 | 10 | 28 | 21 | 18 | 10 | 9 | 20 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 31 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | NNE 9 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | ENE 7 | W 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 32 | 16 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 91 | 35 | 86 | 88 | 84 | 23 | 86 | 23 | 87 | 88 | 50 | 88 | 65 | 46 | 88 | 49 | 88 | 88 | 35 | 35 |
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.











