Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 07 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
27.2° C
0.8° 

Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 35 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 0.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 8th Aug)0.5ft (0.2m) 19s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our patch of coast. It’s a tough one to call because the outlook is pretty grim for a long stretch. For the first week, from August 8th right through to August 15th, we’re looking at a serious flat spell. The swell is barely registering, with heights struggling to hit 1ft, and the combined energy is a measly 32 (32) at best. That’s just not enough to push a ripple. You’ll be staring at a lake, not a wave. The offshore winds are there, plenty of clean, glassy mornings, but with no swell, it’s just a pretty picture. This dry spell goes on for a solid eight days, so don’t even bother waxing up.

Then, on the morning of Sunday, August 16th, things finally stir. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits a moderate 245 (245). The winds are offshore from the NE at 12 mph, keeping it clean. Now, this is at Kawaihae Breakwater, a reef setup. That size is small for a reef, but it's the most we’ve seen. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there. The direction is a bit off the optimum W, but it’s something. It’s surfable, but it’s not a standout. The crowds are only sometimes a problem here, so it’s a decent bet for a solo mission.

The next flicker of life comes on Tuesday, August 18th. The morning is glassy, with a 1ft swell from the WNW, a period of 14 seconds, and combined energy of 68 (68). That’s weak, but the long period means it’ll have some shape. The afternoon is clean with a light offshore. It’s still very small, but if you’re on a longboard, you might scratch into a few.

Looking further out, the surf stays small, but there’s a glimmer on Friday, August 21st, in the afternoon. A 1ft swell from the SW with a 16-second period gives a combined energy of 69 (69). The period is very long, which is great for a reef like Kawaihae; it’ll stand up and offer a proper wall, but it’s tiny. The winds are offshore from the NE at 9 mph, keeping it clean. Again, it’s a longboard day.

The best on offer? Honestly, it’s the morning of Sunday, August 16th. That 3ft SSW swell is the biggest we’ll see, and with offshore wind, it’s the only session that feels like actual surfing. It’s not a standout for the history books, but it’s the standout in this flat run. The rest of the 16 days are mostly a write-off. Don’t get your hopes up, but forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue morning, fresh winds from the NE by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
18
0.2
SSW
18
0.2
SSW
18
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
12
0.3
W
12
0.3
W
11
0.3
W
11
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
W
10
0.2
W
10
0.3
W
11
0.3
W
11
0.3
WNW
13
0.3
SSW
16
0.3
W
12
0.3
W
12
0.2
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
17
32
31
30
28
25
23
21
21
23
8
8
23
21
33
0
25
25
11
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
10
NE
15
NE
10
ENE
5
NNE
5
NE
10
ENE
5
NNE
5
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
10
NE
15
ENE
15
NNE
20
NE
15
ENE
25
NE
30
NE
15
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
11:28PM0.19m
1:16PM0.76m
1:00AM0.19m
2:08PM0.80m
2:05AM0.23m
2:55PM0.83m
2:57AM0.27m
3:37PM0.84m
3:45AM0.33m
4:16PM0.81m
4:30AM0.38m
4:52PM0.76m
Low Tide
8:13PM0.15m
5:14AM-0.02m
8:57PM0.09m
6:24AM-0.04m
9:32PM0.05m
7:27AM-0.07m
10:05PM0.02m
8:23AM-0.08m
10:36PM0.00m
9:15AM-0.06m
11:06PM-0.01m
10:03AM-0.03m
11:35PM-0.01m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:57
6:55
6:55
6:54
6:53
6:53
6:52
 mm
1
Temp °C
26
28
28
26
28
28
27
28
29
27
28
28
25
27
28
26
28
28
27
Feels °C
29
29
29
28
32
32
31
31
32
29
30
30
26
27
28
27
27
27
27
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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