Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’m gonna be straight with you. The next week and a half is a tough one for surf at Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island). The break needs a good west swell and it’s just not seeing it for a while. We’ve got nothing on the cards until Saturday the 11th of July, so that’s a solid six-day dry spell with no surf worth paddling for. The winds stay offshore from the northeast pretty much the whole time, which is a plus for surface conditions, but without any swell to work with, it doesn’t matter.

When things finally wake up on the 11th, it’s pretty ordinary – just 1ft of swell from the west with a moderate 14-second period. The combined wave energy is still weak though, sitting at 112. By Sunday the 12th, that energy bumps up a little to 146 and the period stretches to 16 seconds, still with clean light offshore winds. Not epic, but at least you’re gliding. The 13th and 14th of July are the ones to keep an eye on.

Tuesday the 14th is where it gets interesting. Morning shows 2ft west swell, jumping to 3ft by the afternoon, and the period hits a very long 19 seconds with energy at 487. That’s a proper groundswell. Winds become super light, almost glassy. That combo – long-period west swell, nearly flat calm – will make the reef work nicely. This is your standout. Wednesday the 15th stays solid with 3ft west swell but the wind goes cross-off in the morning, then turns glassy in the afternoon. Still good, just a notch below Tuesday.

Water temp is 81°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be comfy in boardshorts.

After the 16th, it fades. By Saturday the 18th, we’re down to 1ft and the energy drops off a cliff. The following week is back to poor conditions.

Bottom line: If you want the cleanest ride on a proper long-period west swell, aim for Tuesday the 14th of July. The reef will be running, the crowds are occasional but worth dealing with. Don’t hold your breath before the 11th.
Rusty

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