Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 73 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 16) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. 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 0.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat night, min 24°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sat night, calm by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
24 | 32 | 49 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 33 | 48 | 28 | 41 | 49 | 47 | 69 | 69 | 39 | 64 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 6:49AM0.51m | 6:24PM0.51m | 7:40AM0.53m | 6:51PM0.41m | 8:37AM0.54m | 7:15PM0.33m | 9:44AM0.55m | 7:33PM0.25m | 10:59AM0.57m | 12:08PM0.59m | 11:45PM0.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:29AM0.00m | 12:35PM0.16m | 00:54AM0.02m | 1:40PM0.21m | 1:21AM0.04m | 3:09PM0.25m | 1:51AM0.05m | 5:41PM0.25m | 2:31AM0.07m | 3:32AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.15m | ||||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
6:52 | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | |
mm | 26 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 27 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | WNW 11 | NNE 5 | NE 7 | NNE 4 | WNW 12 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
133 | 98 | 77 | 65 | 45 | 49 | 25 | 17 | 14 | 8 | 48 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 31 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | ENE 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | SSW 16 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
50 | 16 | 18 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 6 | 25 | 25 | 33 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 49 | 47 | 69 | 69 | 39 | 64 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SW 5 | WSW 5 | S 14 | S 13 | ENE 8 | W 13 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 11 | WSW 8 | W 10 | W 10 |
24 | 32 | 49 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 41 | 24 | 23 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | 9 | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 23 | 0 | 54 | 88 | 35 | 65 | 88 | 88 | 65 | 0 | 86 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 |
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.











