Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s be real about the next couple of weeks. The swell window is looking pretty damn slim. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak surf ahead, so keep the boards glassed and the expectations low. There are no proper waves on the horizon for a while, and we’re looking at a real drought until the back half of the forecast period. The first couple of weeks are mostly a write-off, so don’t get your hopes up.

We start off with nothing but ankle-biters. From Sunday the 9th through until the 16th, it’s all small, weak surf. We’re talking 0.7ft to 1ft of swell, with energy readings mostly in the single digits and twenties – weak stuff, no push to it at all. The wind is mostly offshore or cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but it’s just not doing anything. It’s pretty, but empty. You’d be better off waxing your board and just staring at the horizon.

There’s a tiny bump in the road around Tuesday the 18th, but it’s nothing to get excited about. Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island) starts to see a little more life, with the swell kicking up to 2ft from the west. The energy numbers are still low, but it’s a slight improvement. It’s still very ordinary, but the conditions are clean with light offshore breezes. It’s the kind of day where you might get a couple of fun little ones if you’re desperate for a splash, but it’s a far cry from proper surf.

The real change comes on Thursday the 20th. We finally see a pulse of longer-period south-west swell arriving. The period jumps up to 19 seconds, which is a proper groundswell, and the energy jumps into three digits for the first time, hitting 129. The size is still tiny though, only 1ft, so it’s way more about the push and the shape than any real height. This is that long-period swell that will wrap into the break, but the size just isn’t there. It’s clean and glassy on Thursday afternoon, which is about as good as it gets, but you’re hunting for little gems. This is a promising sign, but with the height that small, it’s for the longboarders and the keen as hell.

Over the next few days, from the 20th through the 22nd, we hold onto that south-west groundswell. The period stays long, dropping slowly from 19 seconds down to 15 seconds, and the energy stays in the double digits, though it fades a bit. It’s still small, around 1ft to 1ft. This is the best of the window, but "best" is relative. We’re looking at clean, glassy conditions with light winds. For a reef setup like this, those long-period swells are perfect, but the size is still a big limiting factor. You’ll need a big board and a whole lot of patience.

After the 22nd, it’s all downhill again. The swell drops back to the weak 0.7ft to 1ft range and the energy flatlines into the 20s and 30s. The wind stays offshore, keeping it clean, but the surf is gone. That’s it for the extended outlook.

So here’s the bottom line: this is a barren period. The standout, if you can call it that, is the long-period south-west swell around Thursday the 20th and into that weekend. The water’s at 81°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. If you’ve got a log and zero expectations, you might find something to keep you busy. But for anyone looking for a real wave, it’s time to find another hobby for a couple of weeks.

This is Rusty, signing off. Keep the faith.

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