
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, WSW swell with 1,906 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period with SW 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 12s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is a bit of a quiet one for the Kawaihae Breakwater area. The water is sitting at 82°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
We start Monday morning, September 7th, with a small 3ft SW swell at 11 seconds. The wind is glassy from the NNE at 3 mph, so it’s clean. The energy is moderate (205), but it’s just not doing much. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. The afternoon picks up a little to 4ft SW, but the wind swings to the WSW at 3 mph, putting it cross-on, and the quality drops.
Tuesday the 8th sees the biggest swell of the whole run, hitting 6ft SW at 11 seconds. The energy is strong (954), but it’s a messy one. The wind is a solid 9 mph from the WSW, cross-on all morning, making it choppy. The afternoon drops to 5ft, but the wind is still cross-on from the W. It’s a bit of a slog.
After that, it really fades out. From Wednesday the 9th right through to the end of the 16-day window, most of the days are below 2ft. There are a few moments with long-period SW groundswell (14 to 22 seconds) and clean conditions, like the afternoons of the 14th and 15th, but the swell is tiny. The energy is weak, mostly under 100. The little bump on the 16th has 2ft with 152 energy, but it’s still a very marginal wave.
The best of a very average lot is Monday morning, September 7th. It’s the only session with a glassy surface and a wave that’s at least 3ft. It’s not a standout by any stretch, but it’s the only window where you’ll get a few clean ones. The crowd is a possibility, but honestly, with these conditions, you might have it to yourself.
The rest of the period is a long, flat gap. From the 9th onward, it’s mostly poor surf or just flat. There’s a promising little window around the 15th and 16th with a clean, glassy surface and a bit of long-period energy, but the height is barely 1ft. It’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | W 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
205 | 695 | 1834 | 869 | 507 | 138 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 42 | 50 | 42 | 65 | 22 | 57 | 49 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 21 | 20 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 1:49PM0.75m | 2:08AM0.31m | 2:32PM0.75m | 2:51AM0.39m | 3:10PM0.73m | 3:32AM0.46m | 3:45PM0.69m | 4:11AM0.53m | 4:16PM0.63m | 4:50AM0.58m | 4:46PM0.55m | 5:28AM0.61m | 5:15PM0.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:55PM0.03m | 7:32AM-0.01m | 9:22PM0.01m | 8:26AM-0.02m | 9:48PM-0.01m | 9:15AM-0.00m | 10:13PM-0.02m | 10:03AM0.02m | 10:37PM-0.02m | 10:50AM0.06m | 11:00PM-0.01m | 11:39AM0.10m | 11:22PM-0.00m | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | W 11 | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
205 | 695 | 1834 | 869 | 507 | 138 | 44 | 54 | 51 | 42 | 46 | 55 | 27 | 42 | 37 | 44 | 41 | 75 | 46 | 46 | 46 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 12 | NE 11 | SW 9 | NE 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | NE 5 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | NNE 4 | SSW 14 |
49 | 67 | 195 | 142 | 156 | 62 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 42 | 50 | 17 | 24 | 22 | 57 | 49 | 8 | 29 | 15 | 6 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NE 10 | SW 8 | SW 7 | WSW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | SW 14 | WSW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 11 |
79 | 79 | 78 | 85 | 124 | 28 | 14 | 7 | 34 | 16 | 16 | 42 | 65 | 23 | 22 | 10 | 29 | 7 | 22 | 21 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 49 | 8 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 86 | 87 | 50 | 88 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 88 | 84 | 86 | 88 | 35 | 35 | 54 | 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.










