Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, W swell with 268 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.
The news isn't great, I'll be straight with you. We've got a serious flat spell coming up. The only real window of opportunity is right at the start, and it's a small one. After that, we're looking at a long, dry run of nothing much for the better part of two weeks.
The pick of the lot, and really the only time to get wet, is Thursday afternoon, July 16th, at Kawaihae Breakwater. We're looking at a clean 3ft west swell pushing in. The wind is light offshore from the northeast, so the surface should be nice and clean. The water is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. The swell is carrying a moderate amount of energy (347), and it's a nice long-period groundswell at 15 seconds, which means it'll have some real push to it. Keep in mind, long-period stuff can run a bit straight on a beach, but on a reef setup like this, it should have some good shape. The only bummer is that it can get a bit crowded here sometimes.
Friday the 17th still has some waves, but it's dropping fast. Thursday afternoon is the standout.
From Saturday the 18th onwards, the wave heights just fade away into the dirt. We see a bit of a spike on Friday the 24th with a 1ft SW swell, but it's pretty weak (75 energy) and the wind is a moderate 12 mph offshore, so it's not going to be great. After that, from the 25th of July right through the end of the month, it's essentially flat. There are a few tiny pulses of energy, readings of 0.3ft and 0.7ft, but they're not going to give you anything rideable. It's a long stretch of flat water, so don't be holding your breath.
So, to sum it up: get your one session in on Thursday the 16th if you can. After that, it's a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 11 | SSW 22 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 272 | 206 | 203 | 146 | 138 | 89 | 87 | 57 | 50 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 26 | 65 | 55 | 11 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:00PM0.78m | 6:33AM0.35m | 6:36PM0.70m | 7:32AM0.39m | 7:10PM0.61m | 8:35AM0.44m | 7:42PM0.51m | 9:42AM0.48m | 8:14PM0.41m | 10:49AM0.54m | 8:47PM0.32m | 11:51AM0.59m | 9:44PM0.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:02AM-0.00m | 11:47AM0.06m | 1:35AM0.00m | 12:43PM0.14m | 2:07AM0.01m | 1:51PM0.22m | 2:39AM0.02m | 3:21PM0.28m | 3:12AM0.03m | 5:30PM0.29m | 3:48AM0.04m | 7:48PM0.24m | 4:32AM0.04m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 5 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 81 | 61 | 47 | 40 | 47 | 64 | 30 | 61 | 56 | 41 | 52 | 27 | 53 | 33 | 31 | 46 | 33 | 36 | 66 | 23 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NNE 4 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 |
| kJ | 272 | 206 | 203 | 146 | 138 | 89 | 87 | 57 | 50 | 29 | 29 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 50 | 105 | 91 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | NNE 7 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | NNE 7 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | ENE 7 | WNW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 11 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 75 | 22 | 25 | 31 | 21 | 8 | 20 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 26 | 65 | 55 | 11 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 88 | 88 | 76 | 86 | 54 | 46 | 86 | 65 | 0 | 98 | 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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