Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks. It’s gonna be a slow burner, so don’t go cancelling your plans just yet. We’ve got one spot on the radar, and it’s going to take a little patience before we see anything worth paddling out for.

Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a flat spell. The first real whisper of surfable energy shows up on the morning of Friday, 11th September. Even then, it’s nothing to write home about—just tiny, weak 1.3ft swell from the southwest, with a pretty short period. The wind is glassy though, which is a nice touch, but the wave energy is low, at only 79 (weak). The water is sitting at a warm 81.5°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The real standout action starts to build around the middle of the following week. On Tuesday, 15th September, we finally get some decent energy moving in. The morning session at Kawaihae Breakwater shows a 1.3ft southwest swell, but the period is starting to get interesting—20 seconds. That’s a proper long-period groundswell pushing through, and the combined energy jumps to 106 (moderate). The wind is glassy, which is a major positive. For a reef break like this, that long period means the waves will have some shape and punch, but it might also mean longer waits between sets. Still, this is the best call of the week.

By Wednesday afternoon, 16th September, the swell bumps up to 1.6ft from the southwest, the period is still solid at 18 seconds, and the energy kicks up to 152 (moderate). Winds stay glassy. This is about as good as it gets in this window. The break is fairly consistent but can get crowded, so keep an eye out for company.

The following week, around Wednesday, 23rd September and Thursday, 24th September, we see another pulse. The swell direction shifts a bit more westerly, with periods around 14-15 seconds. The energy is moderate again, hitting 132 and 160 on the 24th. Winds are calm and glassy. These are promising, but we’re a week and a half out, so take it with a grain of salt. It’s a long-range tease.

Overall, don’t expect much for the first week. The best bet is to pencil in the 15th and 16th of September for the cleanest, most energetic waves. Kawaihae Breakwater is a reef, so treat it with respect. It’s not a beginner spot, and with the longer periods, it’s gonna be a bit more challenging. But for the experienced crew, there’s a bit of gold to be found.

Stay patient, and stay salty.

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