
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, W swell with 314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period with W 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s period. 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) 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 0.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The next 16 days aren’t looking like a vintage run for the area, but we do have a few windows of clean, small surf to get the log out.
The first rideable swell kicks off on Tuesday, 14 July, at Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island). It’s not a groundswell, but the west swell is welcome. Tuesday morning brings a small 2 ft from the west, with a period of 19 seconds. That’s long-period energy, which will really suit this reef setup. The wind is light cross-off from the NNE at 6 mph, so faces will be clean. The water is sitting at 80°, which is about normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (298). The standout is actually Tuesday afternoon, when the wind drops to glassy, the swell bumps up to 2 ft, and the period holds at 16 seconds. It’s not big, but it will be clean, lined up, and fun for a mid-length or a longboard. It’s the best on offer across the whole period.
Wednesday, 15 July, keeps that good run going. Morning and afternoon are both glassy with 3 ft west swell, period still long at 15–16 seconds. The water is glassy calm by afternoon – no wind at all. This is as good as small surf gets. Thursday, 16 July, follows the same script: clean, glassy mornings, 3 ft west swell, light offshore winds holding through the afternoon. Very consistent quality for these three days.
Friday, 17 July, drops off a little. The swell eases to 2–2 ft, and while the wind is still offshore from the NE, it’s a bit stronger at 6 mph. The energy drops to 228, still moderate but noticeably weaker. Saturday, 18 July, is a mixed bag – the morning is glassy again with 2 ft, but the energy is down to 100. It’s surfable but ordinary.
From Sunday, 19 July, onward, it’s a slow fade. The swell drops to 1 ft or less, period shortens, and the energy is weak (55 and below). By the 20th and 21st, it’s barely a ripple. The rest of the month through to 29 July stays flat or with tiny 0.7 ft swell from the SSW. The energy is all under 100, mostly under 50. A few glassy moments here and there, but nothing worth paddling out for. The only flicker of life is on Thursday, 23 July, when a very long-period 21-second SSW swell shows up, but it’s only 0.7 ft – more of a pulse than a wave. The energy is just 69. It’s a tease.
So, to sum it up: grab your Tuesday 14 July afternoon through Thursday 16 July. That’s your window. After that, you’re looking at a long gap of flatness. It’s not unusual for this area to go quiet, but forecasts can change. For now, get on it early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 19 | W 16 | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
251 | 267 | 270 | 310 | 302 | 287 | 275 | 272 | 206 | 203 | 146 | 138 | 89 | 87 | 57 | 50 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 11 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:39PM0.88m | 4:46AM0.27m | 5:20PM0.84m | 5:38AM0.30m | 6:00PM0.78m | 6:33AM0.35m | 6:36PM0.70m | 7:32AM0.39m | 7:10PM0.61m | 8:35AM0.44m | 7:42PM0.51m | 9:42AM0.48m | 8:14PM0.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:14AM-0.10m | 11:51PM-0.00m | 10:05AM-0.07m | 00:27AM-0.01m | 10:55AM-0.02m | 1:02AM-0.00m | 11:47AM0.06m | 1:35AM0.00m | 12:43PM0.14m | 2:07AM0.01m | 1:51PM0.22m | 2:39AM0.02m | 3:21PM0.28m | 3:12AM0.03m | |||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
— | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | W 16 | NNE 7 | W 15 | W 15 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | WNW 12 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 |
57 | 78 | 64 | 310 | 77 | 287 | 275 | 75 | 59 | 57 | 52 | 44 | 57 | 40 | 49 | 81 | 29 | 36 | 32 | 31 | 41 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 19 | W 16 | W 17 | NNE 7 | W 15 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | NNE 8 | WNW 12 | NE 5 | NNE 7 | W 12 |
251 | 267 | 270 | 47 | 302 | 62 | 48 | 272 | 206 | 203 | 146 | 138 | 89 | 87 | 57 | 50 | 12 | 29 | 13 | 10 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | WNW 12 | W 12 | SSW 11 |
47 | 46 | 44 | 43 | 49 | 63 | 42 | 42 | 36 | 25 | 13 | 21 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 27 | 11 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 58 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 88 | 88 | 49 | 86 | 65 | 50 |
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.










