Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 66 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kawaihae Breakwater this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here again. Let’s break down what’s ahead in feet and degrees.
We’re staring down a long, flat stretch to start. There’s a big gap of nothing worthwhile from Monday, July 27th all the way through Wednesday, August 5th. Tiny dribbles, no energy, not worth the drive.
The first sign of life shows up on Thursday, August 6th. Kawaihae Breakwater picks up a long-period groundswell from the west, about 1ft at 15 seconds. The combined energy is still pretty weak (89), but the wind is light offshore from the NE, so it’ll be clean. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.
Friday, August 7th is your best bet. The west swell nudges up to 2ft to 2ft, with a nice long 17-second period on the morning. The combined energy hits the moderate range (196). Winds stay light offshore from the NE, keeping the surface glassy. This is the standout day. It’s a small, clean groundswell that’ll work nicely on this reef. The crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might see a few familiar faces, but it’s not a zoo. Water temps are around 80°, which is just a touch warmer than average for this time of year.
Saturday the 8th keeps similar size, with 2ft swell from the west, but the period drops to 13 seconds, so it’s a bit less grunty (179). Still clean with light offshore winds, so it’s worth a session if you missed Friday.
Remember, this is a long-period groundswell, so it’s much better suited to a reef setup like Kawaihae Breakwater – it’ll likely be too straight for a beach break. Don’t expect much size; it’s small, fun waves for a longboard or a mid-length. After Sunday the 9th, the energy fades out again, and the rest of the outlook is pretty ordinary.
So, your window is Thursday, August 6th through Saturday, August 8th. Friday the 7th is the pick, but keep your expectations in check. It’s not firing, but it’s the only game in town.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 8 | ENE 14 | NNE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | NNE 9 | NNE 7 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NNE 6 | N 7 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 49 | 49 | 41 | 40 | 60 | 55 | 49 | 29 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:27PM0.74m | 3:16AM0.24m | 3:59PM0.76m | 3:54AM0.27m | 4:30PM0.76m | 4:33AM0.31m | 4:59PM0.74m | 5:14AM0.34m | 5:28PM0.71m | 5:58AM0.38m | 5:56PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.42m | 6:25PM0.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:41PM0.08m | 8:38AM-0.02m | 11:05PM0.06m | 9:17AM-0.02m | 11:30PM0.05m | 9:55AM-0.00m | 11:55PM0.04m | 10:35AM0.03m | 00:20AM0.03m | 11:18AM0.08m | 00:46AM0.02m | 12:07PM0.14m | 1:13AM0.01m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | NNE 9 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SW 15 | SW 14 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 6 | N 7 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 93 | 36 | 98 | 224 | 166 | 88 | 40 | 108 | 62 | 54 | 82 | 35 | 45 | 85 | 55 | 49 | 121 | 113 | 31 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | NNE 10 | E 13 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | ENE 8 | SW 15 | N 8 | N 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 42 | 36 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 64 | 29 | 34 | 31 | 49 | 49 | 41 | 12 | 60 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 32 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | ENE 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 8 | SW 16 | N 9 | S 12 | E 14 | E 14 | E 15 | N 10 | NE 5 | N 8 |
| kJ | 31 | 66 | 41 | 37 | 39 | 37 | 36 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 40 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 53 | 82 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 50 | 46 | 86 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 88 | 49 | 86 | 87 | 35 | 88 | 98 | 65 | 35 | 91 | 50 | 88 | 88 | 46 |
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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