Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with 78 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s 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 0.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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 1.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's talk about this in feet and miles per hour. Kawaihae Breakwater (Hawaii) is the only game in town for the next 16 days, and to be honest, it's a pretty quiet stretch. The water is 81°, which is dead average for this time of year.
The first few days are a total bust. We're looking at tiny 1-foot dribbles from the WNW, with a long period of 11 to 12 seconds, which would be nice if it had any power. The combined energy is weak, in the 25 to 53 range, and the reports say "poor surf conditions". It's glassy or clean, but there's nothing to ride. From Thursday the 20th through to Sunday the 30th of August, it's a flat spell. The swell bumps up to 1 to 2 feet, and the period goes long to 15 to 18 seconds early on – that's a proper groundswell. The energy climbs into the low hundreds, hitting 105 on the 21st, but the waves are still weak and the conditions are "ordinary". You'll be out there with nothing to push you. The 23rd and 24th are back to tiny, with the 24th being the worst at just 0.3 to 0.7 feet and energy readings of 5 to 19.
The first real highlight comes on Monday the 31st of August. The morning looks good, with a 3-foot swell from the SSW, a 12-second period, and a combined energy of 333 (strong). The wind is a gentle offshore breeze from the NE, keeping it clean. This is the standout of the whole forecast. It's a proper groundswell, so the reef will handle it well, and the shape should be solid. The afternoon gets windier, with a 15 mph offshore, which is a bit punchy but still clean. The energy drops to 287 for the afternoon, but the morning is the clear winner.
After that, the first week of September sees the swell drop back to 2 to 3 feet, with energy readings in the 170s to 250s. The winds are okay, but it's nothing like that Monday. The 2nd of September afternoon has a 3-foot swell from the WSW, but the wind is cross-off, and the conditions are "poor". It's a long, quiet patch for Kawaihae. Keep your eyes on that Monday morning – it's the only real moment worth chasing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | NW 12 | SW 15 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | NW 11 | NNE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 25 | 25 | 33 | 48 | 28 | 41 | 49 | 47 | 69 | 69 | 65 | 64 | 37 | 63 | 38 | 46 | 26 | 9 | 19 | 5 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:37AM0.54m | 7:15PM0.33m | 9:44AM0.55m | 7:33PM0.25m | 10:59AM0.57m | 12:08PM0.59m | 11:45PM0.18m | 1:04PM0.62m | 1:02AM0.20m | 1:49PM0.66m | 1:48AM0.23m | 2:26PM0.69m | 2:25AM0.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:09PM0.25m | 1:51AM0.05m | 5:41PM0.25m | 2:31AM0.07m | 3:32AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.15m | 8:53PM0.12m | 6:05AM0.06m | 9:13PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.04m | 9:33PM0.09m | ||||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | WNW 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 9 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 23 | 24 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 52 | 43 | 54 | 75 | 35 | 51 | 73 | 13 | 38 | 102 | 47 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | N 6 | NE 5 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 9 | 25 | 33 | 48 | 28 | 25 | 49 | 47 | 69 | 36 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 36 | 38 | 46 | 26 | 17 | 7 | 35 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | W 13 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | NW 11 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 25 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 41 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 69 | 65 | 64 | 37 | 63 | 36 | 34 | 21 | 9 | 19 | 5 | 30 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 88 | 35 | 86 | 49 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 51 | 87 | 87 | 35 |
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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