
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 25s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 25s period, SSW swell with 63 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 25s period with SSW 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.2m and 25s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.2m 25s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 25s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 25s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 25s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down for y’all who think in feet and miles.
For Kawaihae Breakwater, it’s a slow start. From Wednesday the 22nd of July all the way through Wednesday the 29th of July, there’s virtually no surf. Clean skies, light offshore winds, but the ocean is flat. Not a wave worth paddling for.
The first real sign of life comes Thursday the 30th of July. Morning shows a tiny 1ft swell out of the SSW with a short 10-second period, and combined energy of just 34 (weak). Afternoon improves a little: 1ft from the SW, 18-second period, energy at 75. Winds go glassy, so it’s clean, but still tiny. The standout day is Friday the 31st of July. Morning brings a 2ft west swell, 13-second period, combined energy of 161 (moderate). Light offshore winds from the NNE keep it clean. Afternoon holds the same 2ft west swell, energy bumps to 185, and winds stay offshore from the NE. It’s your best bet. For a reef break, that west swell direction works, and the offshore wind is a big plus. Crowds are possible, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.
Saturday the 1st of August: same 2ft west swell, 13-second period, but morning winds hit 22 mph from the NE, making it rough. Afternoon winds drop to 16 mph, still not great. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd of August both have 2ft and 2ft west swell, with lighter offshore winds, giving ordinary but rideable waves. Sunday morning’s combined energy is 207 (moderate). After that, it fades fast. Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th drop to 1ft and 1ft, with glassy or light offshore conditions. By Thursday the 6th of August, it’s back to flat.
Friday the 31st of July is your only real window. Everything else is small, windy, or just plain ordinary. That’s the story.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | SSW 24 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | NNE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | NE 8 | SW 14 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SW 10 | NNE 8 | ENE 14 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
13 | 55 | 30 | 28 | 0 | 25 | 30 | 17 | 0 | 25 | 37 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:47PM0.32m | 11:51AM0.59m | 9:44PM0.25m | 12:45PM0.63m | 11:28PM0.20m | 1:32PM0.66m | 00:54AM0.19m | 2:14PM0.70m | 1:52AM0.20m | 2:52PM0.72m | 2:37AM0.22m | 3:27PM0.74m | 3:16AM0.24m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:48AM0.04m | 7:48PM0.24m | 4:32AM0.04m | 8:54PM0.19m | 5:23AM0.04m | 9:26PM0.14m | 6:18AM0.02m | 9:52PM0.11m | 7:09AM0.01m | 10:16PM0.09m | 7:56AM-0.01m | 10:41PM0.08m | |||||||
— | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
7:04 | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
32 | 11 | 46 | 17 | 17 | 52 | 34 | 64 | 57 | 98 | 109 | 133 | 114 | 103 | 150 | 98 | 91 | 50 | 98 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | NE 5 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | E 14 | NNE 5 | ENE 14 |
6 | 12 | 106 | 91 | 10 | 75 | 66 | 61 | 59 | 76 | 51 | 102 | 60 | 86 | 50 | 48 | 37 | 20 | 62 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 24 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | S 11 | SW 14 | E 15 | E 15 | SW 10 | SSW 15 | ENE 14 | SSW 14 |
13 | 55 | 30 | 28 | 78 | 25 | 30 | 17 | 10 | 25 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 42 | 66 | 41 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 88 | 88 | 46 | 88 | 88 | 46 | 88 | 46 | 35 | 88 | 35 | 35 | 88 | 35 | 35 | 47 | 35 | 35 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










