Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, WNW 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★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period with WNW 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 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, Rusty here again, but in feet and miles. This 16‑day look at Kawaihae Breakwater is a dud. From July 19th through August 3rd there’s hardly anything worth paddling for. The only moment that’s even surfable is Saturday afternoon, August 1st, and it’s just “ordinary” – not a day to write home about.
The break is a reef, suited for intermediates, and it’s usually fairly consistent, but not this stretch. It wants west swell, but we’re getting weak WNW, SSW, and SW pulses instead. The combined energy is weak – numbers like 55 (July 19th morning) or 29 (that afternoon) – all under 100, meaning hardly any power.
Early on, Sunday July 19th through Tuesday July 22nd, we’ve got waves around 1‑2 ft, with long periods (12‑18 seconds) but no energy behind them. Winds are offshore or glassy at times, which would be perfect if there was real swell. Wednesday July 24th sees a bit more wind (15 mph offshore) but only 0.7 ft with a 21‑second period – long waits for tiny waves.
The best you’ll get is Saturday August 1st afternoon: 1 ft from the SW, 14 seconds, glassy. Combined energy hits 73 – still weak, but the cleanest of the bunch. It’s a tiny window for a tiny wave. Beginners might have a laugh, but that’s it.
Sunday August 2nd and Monday August 3rd drop back to 1 ft or less.
No standouts, no real swell. The forecast might shift, but for now, don’t plan around it. I’ll be watching.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 26 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | NE 7 | SSW 21 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 57 | 50 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 13 | 26 | 13 | 26 | 65 | 0 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 0 | 45 | 27 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | 7:05 | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 28 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 5 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 12 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | SSW 18 | NE 7 | SSW 20 |
| kJ | 59 | 53 | 15 | 57 | 48 | 66 | 49 | 37 | 36 | 13 | 19 | 40 | 35 | 39 | 66 | 29 | 61 | 85 | 76 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | NNE 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 26 | NE 4 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 57 | 50 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 65 | 7 | 106 | 91 | 78 | 75 | 66 | 16 | 59 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 11 | WNW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | NE 10 | SSW 21 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 14 | 5 | 29 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 26 | 9 | 26 | 9 | 50 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 4 | 45 | 27 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | NE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | — | 79 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 88 | 88 | 46 | 86 | 54 | 46 | 86 | 88 | 0 | 88 | 65 | 46 | 88 | 98 | 46 | 88 | 35 | 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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