Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 43 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. For the next couple of weeks, we’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak swell with mostly offshore winds – looks great, but there’s barely a wave to ride. The only spot on the list is Kawaihae Breakwater (Big Island). Water temp is a touch warmer than normal, sitting at 82°.
From Tuesday the 25th through the end of August, the swell is stuck at around 0.7 ft. Offshore breeze from the NE keeps it clean, but the combined wave energy is in the weak range, between 25 and 45. That’s a lot of flat days with a nice look but no push.
The first few days of September are more of the same. On the 2nd and 3rd, we get morning glass – 0.7 ft from the W, period around 10 seconds, energy in the single digits. Clean as can be, but dead flat. For a reef break that prefers W swell, this is a slow spell.
Finally, on Sunday the 6th of September, there’s a little bump. Swell hits 1 ft from the WNW, 14 seconds, with energy climbing to 70 (still weak). Light offshore NE wind. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.
Then Monday the 7th of September is the real standout. Swell at 1 ft from the SSW, long period of 15 seconds, and energy jumps to 168 (moderate). That’s groundswell. Wind goes glassy in the morning, light offshore in the afternoon. The long period means better shape, but at a reef break, expect long gaps between sets.
Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of September keep the small window open. Tuesday morning is 2 ft from the W, 12 seconds, energy 80 (weak), with a light NE offshore breeze. Wednesday morning bumps energy to 101 (moderate) with a 2 ft W swell, 12 seconds, but the wind picks up to 12 mph from the NE – still offshore, but stronger. The afternoon on the 9th drops back into weak range.
Best on offer is Monday the 7th of September. That morning glassy session with moderate groundswell from the SSW, 15 seconds, and light wind is the cleanest window. Long waits between sets. Crowds are possible.
For kite surfers, the steady offshore breeze and tiny waves might be more interesting than paddle surfing for most of this forecast.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
25 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 17 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 36 | 33 | 20 | 20 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 2:59PM0.71m | 3:00AM0.33m | 3:28PM0.72m | 3:36AM0.38m | 3:56PM0.71m | 4:12AM0.43m | 4:24PM0.68m | 4:50AM0.48m | 4:52PM0.63m | 5:31AM0.53m | 5:21PM0.56m | 6:15AM0.57m | 5:51PM0.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:53PM0.07m | 8:30AM0.00m | 10:13PM0.05m | 9:11AM0.01m | 10:35PM0.03m | 9:51AM0.02m | 10:57PM0.01m | 10:34AM0.05m | 11:20PM-0.01m | 11:21AM0.09m | 11:45PM-0.02m | 12:16PM0.14m | 00:12AM-0.02m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | SSW 15 | NE 5 | SSW 13 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | SSW 14 | NNE 6 | SSW 13 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 |
36 | 51 | 17 | 21 | 28 | 17 | 17 | 28 | 9 | 39 | 39 | 34 | 38 | 54 | 39 | 41 | 68 | 62 | 61 | 81 | 103 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 17 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NE 4 | NNE 7 | SSW 13 | NE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
29 | 14 | 21 | 9 | 27 | 21 | 24 | 44 | 5 | 9 | 18 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 36 | 33 | 20 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | W 10 | SSW 12 | N 8 | SSW 15 | ENE 6 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | W 12 | S 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 |
25 | 24 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 8 | 15 | 5 | 42 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 17 | — | 17 | — | — | — | 15 | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 88 | 46 | 88 | 88 | 46 | 88 | 88 | 46 | 88 | 46 | 85 | 88 | 88 | 35 | 88 | 88 | 50 | 35 | 88 | 35 |
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.











