Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
26.6° C
0.5° 

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 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 26s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 26s period, SSW swell with 65 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 26s period with SSW 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.2m and 26s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.2m 26s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul)0.5ft (0.2m) 26s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul)0.5ft (0.2m) 26s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul)0.5ft (0.2m) 26s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.

We’re starting off with a real flat spell, I’m talking days of nothing. From Tuesday the 21st of July right through to the end of the month, it’s pretty much a write-off. The combined swell energy is barely registering – mostly single-digit or low double-digit numbers (21 to 64), and the wave heights are a tiny 0.6ft to 1ft. Even with the wind being light and offshore or glassy, there’s just nothing to push. The water is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Friday the 31st of July. Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island) starts to see a little life. The swell ticks up to 2ft to 2ft coming from the west, with a period of 13 seconds. That’s a nice long-period groundswell, which is a good sign for a reef break like this. The combined energy finally climbs into the triple digits (119) on Friday afternoon, and the wind goes glassy. It’s not huge, but after a ten-day drought, it’s a sight for sore eyes. The best of the bunch looks like Saturday the 1st of August. The morning and afternoon both have clean 2ft west swell, with a period of 12 seconds. The offshore wind from the NE is light, so the lineup will be tidy. The energy is solid (137 in the morning, 132 in the afternoon). This is the standout window. It’s small, so it’s perfect for a longboard or a funboard, and the crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so get in early.

The Sunday the 2nd of August still has some 2ft west swell, but it’s a touch weaker. After that, it fades back into the 1ft to 1ft range with very low energy, and the glassy conditions can’t make up for the lack of push. The second week looks pretty flat again, with nothing to get excited about. So, if you’re waiting for a session, the first weekend of August is your window.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.2
W
11
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
26
0.2
SSW
24
0.2
SSW
18
0.3
SSW
22
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
17
0.8
NNE
7
0.9
NNE
6
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
20
1
NNE
8
0.2
SSW
11
1
NNE
8
0.2
SSW
10
0.9
NNE
8
0.3
SW
9
0.9
NNE
8
0.5
E
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
12
26
65
55
30
0
25
25
30
0
0
25
37
0
12
0
10
0
12
0
0
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
0
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
20
NE
10
ENE
15
NE
25
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NE
15
E
10
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
15
NNE
5
NE
10
ENE
Wind State
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
10:49AM0.54m
8:47PM0.32m
11:51AM0.59m
9:44PM0.25m
12:45PM0.63m
11:28PM0.20m
1:32PM0.66m
00:54AM0.19m
2:14PM0.70m
1:52AM0.20m
2:52PM0.72m
2:37AM0.22m
3:27PM0.74m
3:16AM0.24m
Low Tide
5:30PM0.29m
3:48AM0.04m
7:48PM0.24m
4:32AM0.04m
8:54PM0.19m
5:23AM0.04m
9:26PM0.14m
6:18AM0.02m
9:52PM0.11m
7:09AM0.01m
10:16PM0.09m
7:56AM-0.01m
10:41PM0.08m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:56
5:56
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:04
7:04
7:04
7:02
7:02
7:02
7:01
 mm
Temp °C
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
27
25
27
27
25
27
27
25
27
27
25
27
27
25
Feels °C
30
30
30
28
28
27
27
27
25
26
27
25
27
27
24
27
27
25
27
28
27
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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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