Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
26.7° C
0.7° 

Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SSW swell with 146 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s 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 0.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM. 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 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Sat 18th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf 2PM (Sat 18th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 19s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be real, the next couple of weeks for the Big Island are looking pretty flat and quiet. The surf is gonna be a ghost for the most part.

We’re starting off with the only spot that’s even showing a pulse right now, which is Kawaihae Breakwater. The water temperature is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. A little touch of a warm anomaly, but nothing wild.

On Saturday the 18th, we’ve got a tiny 2 ft swell rolling in from the west. The period is a solid 13 seconds, so there’s a bit of energy in the water, but it’s weak—the combined energy is only 89. The wind is offshore from the northeast, blowing at 9 to 12 mph, which will keep the surface clean. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. You’ll be scratching for waves. Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are even smaller, dropping to 1.0 ft and 0.7 ft, with energy levels falling off a cliff. By Sunday afternoon, it’s glassy, but there’s just nothing to ride.

After Monday, the 21st through the 29th of July is a brutal stretch. There are days with zero swell, and the few days that show a tiny 0.7 ft wave are basically flat. It’s a big gap of nothing. You’ll be looking at a dry spell for over a week.

Then, as we push into the very end of the month and the start of August, things start to get interesting. On the 31st of July, we see a 1 ft southwest swell with a period of 16 seconds, and the energy is climbing to 67. It’s still small, but the wind is offshore. Then on Saturday the 1st of August, the swell picks up to 2 ft from the west, and the combined energy jumps to 153. The wind is a moderate offshore from the northeast at 12 mph, so it’s going to be a bit bumpy, but the swell is there.

The best of the whole run is shaping up for Sunday the 2nd of August. That’s your standout. The swell is 2 ft from the west, with a period of 14 to 16 seconds. The energy is strong, hitting 322. The wind is offshore from the northeast at 6 mph, keeping it clean. This is a real groundswell, and with that longer period, it’s going to wrap in nicely. The break is a reef, so that long-period energy will be a treat. Expect some really clean, fun little waves. The crowds here are sometimes an issue, so keep an eye out for company.

Overall, it’s a long wait for that Sunday the 2nd, but when it arrives, it’s the one to point the car at.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
13
0.4
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.3
WNW
12
0.3
WNW
12
0.3
WNW
12
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
12
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
26
0.2
SSW
24
0.3
SSW
23
0.3
SSW
22
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
89
87
57
50
29
29
27
13
26
14
26
65
55
0
0
25
25
30
18
23
25
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
10
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
5
NE
15
ENE
5
N
5
NE
10
ENE
5
NNE
5
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
15
ENE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
20
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
7:10PM0.61m
8:35AM0.44m
7:42PM0.51m
9:42AM0.48m
8:14PM0.41m
10:49AM0.54m
8:47PM0.32m
11:51AM0.59m
9:44PM0.25m
12:45PM0.63m
11:28PM0.20m
1:32PM0.66m
00:54AM0.19m
Low Tide
12:43PM0.14m
2:07AM0.01m
1:51PM0.22m
2:39AM0.02m
3:21PM0.28m
3:12AM0.03m
5:30PM0.29m
3:48AM0.04m
7:48PM0.24m
4:32AM0.04m
8:54PM0.19m
5:23AM0.04m
9:26PM0.14m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:04
7:04
7:04
7:02
 mm
Temp °C
27
28
26
27
27
25
28
27
26
27
27
25
27
27
25
27
27
25
26
27
25
Feels °C
27
29
27
28
30
27
30
29
29
29
30
27
29
28
25
26
27
25
26
28
24
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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