Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 44 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kawaihae Breakwater this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kawaihae Breakwater in the next 16 days are 0.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 1.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next 16 days are a desert for surf. Kawaihae Breakwater is the only break in the picture, and it’s mostly flat. We’ve got a big gap from now until Tuesday, 8th September, before anything even gets a pulse. That’s a week of next to nothing.
So, the one faint glimmer is on Tuesday, 8th September, morning. Kawaihae Breakwater (Hawaii) sees a SW groundswell at 1ft, with a period of 15 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell, so there’s some energy, but it’ll be a bit straight on this reef. Wind is a moderate offshore from the NE at 12 mph, keeping the surface clean. Swell energy is very weak at 93. Water temp is about 82°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. Crowds are possible here. This is the best of a bad bunch, but it’s still pretty ordinary.
The rest of the run is a no-go. The 11th and 12th see a bit more height – 3ft on the 11th afternoon – but the period drops to 9 seconds, and the wind goes glassy or cross-on. The 12th afternoon has a tiny 2ft, 7-second windswell – barely a ripple. The 13th has a 1ft, 16-second groundswell, but it’s too small. It’s all poor conditions. This spot can have consistent runs, but this is a proper dud. Forecasts change, so don’t lose hope, but today, there’s nothing to ride.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | NNE 6 | W 11 | NNE 7 | W 10 | NNE 7 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | NNE 6 | W 12 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 28 | 44 | 25 | 22 | 36 | 33 | 20 | 20 | 31 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:52PM0.63m | 5:31AM0.53m | 5:21PM0.56m | 6:15AM0.57m | 5:51PM0.48m | 7:06AM0.60m | 6:23PM0.39m | 8:06AM0.61m | 6:59PM0.30m | 9:20AM0.63m | 7:55PM0.22m | 10:42AM0.65m | 10:08PM0.17m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:34AM0.05m | 11:20PM-0.01m | 11:21AM0.09m | 11:45PM-0.02m | 12:16PM0.14m | 00:12AM-0.02m | 1:23PM0.19m | 00:44AM-0.01m | 2:57PM0.22m | 1:24AM0.00m | 5:16PM0.20m | 2:19AM0.02m | 7:06PM0.15m | 3:40AM0.04m | |||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | SW 15 | NNE 8 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | SSW 14 | NNE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
35 | 62 | 54 | 62 | 59 | 49 | 33 | 101 | 20 | 26 | 64 | 106 | 36 | 104 | 38 | 40 | 76 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | W 11 | SSW 14 | W 12 | SSW 18 | ENE 8 | SSW 16 | ENE 8 | SSW 15 | NE 8 | W 9 | SSW 14 | NE 7 | N 8 | S 13 | WNW 11 |
16 | 15 | 44 | 25 | 22 | 36 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 31 | 25 | 51 | 25 | 45 | 15 | 2 | 19 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | W 11 | S 11 | W 12 | S 20 | W 12 | NE 9 | W 11 | NE 7 | W 10 | SSW 15 | E 13 | W 9 | SSW 13 | S 13 | W 12 | S 13 |
12 | 28 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 42 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 120 | — | 101 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | 93 | — | 33 | 40 | 84 | 93 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 46 | 50 | 88 | 35 | 35 | 49 | 54 | 35 | 86 | 35 | 35 | 88 | 88 | 49 | 88 | 35 | 49 | 88 | 49 | 35 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











