Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with 75 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period with WNW 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s. 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 0.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the Kawaihae Breakwater area.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a flat spell to sit through. The first real chance to slide comes on Sunday, August 23rd, but it ain't much to write home about. We’re looking at a tiny 2ft swell from the WNW, with a moderate 12-second period. The swell energy is weak, just 109 (moderate wave energy). The cleanest part of the day will be the morning with a gentle offshore breeze from the NE, but the waves are just too small to get excited about. Afternoon is even smaller at 1ft.
The real story here is the long, dry stretch after that. From Monday, August 24th, all the way through to the end of the 16-day window, the surf is basically non-existent. The data shows a whole lot of "poor surf conditions" and zero swell energy for most of those days. There are a few random pulses of 0.7ft and 1.0ft, but these are not worth paddling out for. The water temp is a warm 82°, which is about normal for this time of year, so you won't need a thick suit.
The only glimmer at the very end shows up on Monday, September 7th. The afternoon might see a jump to 1ft from the SSW with a very long 18-second period and a glassy surface. The combined swell energy reads 192 (moderate wave energy). But even then, it's labeled as "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions". It’s not a stand-out, just a tiny flicker of hope after a long, quiet run.
For this area, a blank run like this isn't unusual. It’s just a waiting game.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 75 | 44 | 20 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 7 | 16 | 28 | 44 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 1:49PM0.66m | 1:48AM0.23m | 2:26PM0.69m | 2:25AM0.28m | 2:59PM0.71m | 3:00AM0.33m | 3:28PM0.72m | 3:36AM0.38m | 3:56PM0.71m | 4:12AM0.43m | 4:24PM0.68m | 4:50AM0.48m | 4:52PM0.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:13PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.04m | 9:33PM0.09m | 7:49AM0.01m | 9:53PM0.07m | 8:30AM0.00m | 10:13PM0.05m | 9:11AM0.01m | 10:35PM0.03m | 9:51AM0.02m | 10:57PM0.01m | 10:34AM0.05m | 11:20PM-0.01m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 29 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | SSW 17 | NNE 5 | SSW 16 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | SSW 13 | NE 7 | N 6 |
| kJ | 75 | 73 | 34 | 45 | 68 | 39 | 39 | 52 | 10 | 26 | 27 | 14 | 48 | 29 | 8 | 16 | 20 | 32 | 16 | 7 | 17 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | N 7 | N 7 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 34 | 44 | 18 | 18 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 8 | 44 | 42 | 10 | 8 | 34 | 12 | 15 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | W 10 | ENE 7 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 17 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 6 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 25 | 24 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 39 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 44 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | NE 6 | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | — |
| kJ | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 31 | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | 25 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 49 | 88 | 87 | 46 | 88 | 65 | 46 | 88 | 65 | 46 | 88 | 66 | 46 | 88 | 88 | 49 | 88 | 49 | 88 |
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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