Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
27.3° 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 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period, WNW swell with 109 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 17s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)1ft (0.3m) 17s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)1ft (0.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug)2ft (0.6m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming down the pipe at Kawaihae Breakwater over this 16-day stretch.

The story here is a pretty quiet one. We’ve got a window of tiny, rideable but unremarkable surf early on, then it flat-lines for a solid stretch, before a little glassy flurry tries to lift things in September. Let’s break it down.

Kicking off on Thursday the 20th, we’ve got a 1 ft SW groundswell pushing in with a long 17-second period. The combined wave energy is weak, only hitting 70. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE at 3 mph, keeping things clean under some clouds, but it’s barely a wave. The water’s sitting at 81°, which is pretty normal for this time of year—no big anomaly there.

Friday the 21st is the standout of this first little pulse. Friday morning dawns clear with zero wind—total glass. The swell bumps up a hair to 1 ft from the SW with that long 16-second period, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 121. That’s not much height, but with glassy conditions and that period, it’ll have a bit of push. For a tiny wave, it’ll be about as clean as it gets on the reef. A good time to get the longboard out and not have to fight for a wave at a spot that can see crowds sometimes.

Saturday the 22nd keeps things clean with a 1 ft SW swell, offshore NE winds at 6-9 mph, and energy at 120, but it’s nothing to get excited about. Sunday the 23rd is similar, with a little WNW in the mix. From Monday the 24th onward, the bottom drops out. The swell drops to 0.7 ft and combined energy falls to the single digits or low double digits through to Tuesday the 3rd of September. That’s a full week and a half of poor surf conditions. The winds stay offshore mostly, but with nothing to push, you’re better off doing something else.

Things perk up again on Thursday morning, September 4th. We’re looking at a 2 ft WNW groundswell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy hits a moderate 100. With glassy conditions and clear skies, this is likely the best wave of the whole forecast. It’s still small, but if you want the cleanest conditions and a tiny bit of juice, that Friday morning and afternoon on the 4th is the call. It’s a long-range promise, so keep an eye on it, but it has potential.

All in all, we’ve got two small windows of clean but knee-high surf. The real doldrums sit in the middle with nothing to offer. For a reef break with an optimum W swell, the second window on September 4th looks like the best chance for a glassy, tidy session.

Later, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
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
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
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)
0.3
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.5
W
11
0.4
SW
16
0.3
SW
15
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
15
0.5
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
11
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
WNW
11
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
47
69
69
59
64
37
63
58
78
46
20
18
14
12
25
24
21
21
27
26
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
0
SSE
0
N
5
ENE
10
ENE
10
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
NNE
5
ESE
10
ENE
10
NE
10
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
12:08PM0.59m
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
Low Tide
3:32AM0.09m
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
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:47
6:46
6:46
6:45
6:45
6:44
6:43
 mm
2
3
2
1
Temp °C
28
27
28
28
27
28
28
27
27
27
26
27
27
26
28
28
26
26
27
26
Feels °C
32
31
32
32
31
31
31
28
30
31
29
31
32
30
31
31
27
27
28
28
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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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