Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-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★+): Friday 21 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. 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 0.5m 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 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| 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, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s brewing at Kawaihae Breakwater for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest with you—this stretch is mostly a snoozer. Only a few brief moments are worth paddling out for.
Right now, we’ve got a small window starting Friday afternoon (the 21st) and into Saturday morning (the 22nd). Waves are a tiny 1 ft from the southwest with a long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and on a reef break like this, it’ll shape up nicely. Wind is light offshore from the NE, so it’ll be clean. The combined wave energy is moderate at 124 on Friday, dropping to 70 Saturday morning. It’s not big, but it’s rideable. Water temp is a pleasant 81°, just a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Sunday the 23rd sees the swell switch to the WNW, with slightly bigger waves at 2 ft but a shorter 12-second period. Energy drops to 109, and while the morning has a gentle offshore breeze, the afternoon fades to flat and weak. That’s where the fun ends.
From Monday the 24th all the way into early September, it’s a long, flat lull. Most days offer knee-high waves or nothing. Winds are often offshore or glassy, which is a tease because there’s just no swell. Combined energy readings are mostly in the teens or single digits—weak and unimpressive.
You’ll have to wait until Saturday the 5th of September for a slight bump. Waves get up to 1 ft from the WNW with a 13-second period and energy of 97. Winds are offshore from the NE, so it’ll be clean. Still, it’s just “surfable but very ordinary.” Not a standout, but if you’re local and keen, it’s something.
The best of a pretty flat run is Friday afternoon the 21st and Saturday morning the 22nd at Kawaihae Breakwater. The waves are tiny, but the long period and offshore wind make it the cleanest, most surfable window of the whole forecast. Sunday morning is your backup, but don’t hold your breath.
Signing off,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 65 | 64 | 37 | 63 | 58 | 75 | 44 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 0 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:45PM0.18m | 1:04PM0.62m | 1:02AM0.20m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:34PM0.15m | 8:53PM0.12m | 6:05AM0.06m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 14 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 65 | 46 | 46 | 70 | 39 | 52 | 64 | 33 | 40 | 62 | 24 | 38 | 51 | 21 | 23 | 44 | 16 | 9 | 27 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 59 | 50 | 33 | 57 | 58 | 75 | 44 | 8 | 18 | 35 | 32 | 29 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 17 | 24 | 44 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | ENE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | N 8 | N 7 |
| kJ | 65 | 64 | 37 | 63 | 58 | 34 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 25 | 24 | 5 | 12 | 18 | 25 | 15 | 5 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 46 | 87 | 87 | 46 | 88 | 91 | 46 | 46 | 88 | 46 | 88 | 88 | 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.
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