Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 73 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period. 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 0.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, here’s the same story in feet and miles per hour. For Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island), it’s looking flat and quiet for the most part. Water temp is average for the season.
Starting Tuesday the 18th, we’ve got waves around 1ft, coming from the WNW, then shifting to SW. Combined swell energy is weak—between 25 and 70. Winds are light, sometimes glassy, sometimes offshore, but with waves that size, it’s just a float session. The long-period SW swell on Thursday (17-18 seconds) is a classic groundswell but too small to do anything with.
Friday the 21st is the pick of the early period: still only 1ft from the SW, but the combined energy hits 104, and it’s glassy in the morning. That’s as good as it gets. Saturday and Sunday stay small and clean, with Sunday morning having a stronger offshore breeze at 16 mph.
Then from Monday the 24th, it goes dead. Waves drop to less than 1ft, combined energy mostly below 30, and some days show zero. That flat spell lasts right through the end of August.
Into September, Tuesday the 1st gives us a little 1ft WNW swell with a 14-second period, combined energy around 69, and clean offshore winds. It’s small but has a bit more shape. The 30th of August has a brief 2ft SW swell, but with a short 8-second period, it’s weak.
Best bet is Friday the 21st of August—that morning glassy session, even though it’s just 1ft. If you’re patient, Tuesday the 1st of September offers another small window. Otherwise, there’s not much to work with here.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | SW 15 | NW 10 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 25 | 25 | 25 | 33 | 48 | 48 | 41 | 49 | 47 | 69 | 69 | 65 | 64 | 37 | 63 | 59 | 45 | 25 | 20 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | off | glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:37AM0.54m | 7:15PM0.33m | 9:44AM0.55m | 7:33PM0.25m | 10:59AM0.57m | 12:08PM0.59m | 11:45PM0.18m | 1:04PM0.62m | 1:02AM0.20m | 1:49PM0.66m | 1:48AM0.23m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:21AM0.04m | 3:09PM0.25m | 1:51AM0.05m | 5:41PM0.25m | 2:31AM0.07m | 3:32AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.15m | 8:53PM0.12m | 6:05AM0.06m | 9:13PM0.10m | |||||||||
 |  | | | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 6:50 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | WNW 12 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 18 | 8 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 48 | 21 | 23 | 31 | 32 | 26 | 49 | 44 | 42 | 73 | 59 | 45 | 73 | 45 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | NNE 6 | WNW 11 | W 11 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NW 10 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 25 | 25 | 25 | 33 | 48 | 8 | 25 | 21 | 47 | 69 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 34 | 25 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | NE 8 | W 13 | W 6 | NNE 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | W 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 6 | 9 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 42 | 41 | 49 | 23 | 20 | 69 | 65 | 64 | 37 | 63 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NNE 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 47 | 51 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 86 | 88 | 35 | 86 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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