Kawaihae Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.05° N 155.84° W

Issued: 1 pm 05 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kawaihae Breakwater sea temperature is
27.2° C

1.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 6 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 5 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 102 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 05) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 5th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 16s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 5th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 16s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 5th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, it's flat as a pancake. Through the first few days, we're looking at barely a ripple – that 0.7ft to 0.3ft stuff is just not worth paddling out for. The combined energy is a weak 2 to 38, so there's simply no push. The water's sitting at 81°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. We've got clean, offshore winds, but without any swell, it's just a pretty view.

The blank run stretches all the way until the afternoon of Saturday, July 11th. That's when we finally see a pulse of life. The swell bumps up to 1ft from the SW, and the period stretches to a long 18 seconds. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 143, so there's some actual power in the water. Conditions are clean with a light breeze. It's not epic, but it's a start.

Now, the real standout window opens up from Tuesday, July 14th through Thursday, July 16th. This is where it gets interesting. We see a building 2ft to 3ft west-northwest swell with a very long period, hitting 17 seconds at its peak. The combined energy on the 14th afternoon hits a solid 427, which is strong. The water's still glassy that afternoon, and for the next couple of days we've got clean, light offshore winds. This is a groundswell with serious reach, and for a reef break like Kawaihae Breakwater, that's the recipe for some proper, well-shaped waves. The longer period means better waves and longer gaps between sets, making the paddle out manageable. It's a consistent option, but word might get out, so crowds are possible.

After that pulse, it tails off through the final days of the forecast. We're back into the 1ft to 2ft range with moderate energy. Nothing to get too excited about, but it's still a far cry from the flat start.

For the best of the best, I'm pointing you straight at Tuesday afternoon, July 14th and Wednesday morning, July 15th. That combination of a 3ft, 17-second west swell with glassy to clean conditions at Kawaihae Breakwater is the true standout. It's shaping up to be a proper little run.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSW
14
0.1
NW
11
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
10
1
NNE
8
1
NNE
8
0.1
SW
13
0.9
NE
7
0.1
W
16
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
15
0.2
W
14
0.2
W
16
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
14
0.3
W
14
0.4
W
14
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
20
5
2
2
2
0
0
7
0
5
5
17
16
20
31
37
37
61
79
77
91
Wind (km/h)
25
NE
20
ENE
25
NE
25
NE
20
ENE
20
NE
20
ENE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
10
NE
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
NNE
5
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
10
NE
10
ENE
10
NE
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
7:39PM0.59m
9:29AM0.41m
8:16PM0.51m
10:37AM0.50m
9:01PM0.41m
11:40AM0.59m
10:02PM0.32m
12:37PM0.68m
11:22PM0.25m
1:30PM0.77m
00:46AM0.21m
2:20PM0.83m
1:57AM0.20m
Low Tide
2:50AM0.02m
2:27PM0.26m
3:25AM0.00m
4:17PM0.29m
4:03AM-0.02m
6:20PM0.26m
4:47AM-0.04m
7:57PM0.20m
5:37AM-0.06m
9:02PM0.12m
6:31AM-0.08m
9:51PM0.07m
7:27AM-0.10m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:48
5:48
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:06
7:06
7:06
7:06
7:06
 mm
Temp °C
27
25
26
26
24
26
27
24
27
27
25
27
28
26
27
28
26
27
27
26
27
Feels °C
25
24
24
25
23
25
25
22
27
28
26
28
30
28
30
32
29
29
29
29
29
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSW
17
0.4
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
16
1
NNE
7
0.3
SSW
15
0.3
SSW
14
1
NNE
8
0.9
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
1
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
0.2
SSW
13
0.9
NNE
7
0.9
NE
7
1
NE
7
0.9
NNE
7
0.7
NNE
7
1
NNE
7
0.9
NNE
7
1
NNE
7
Energy kJ
58
86
82
114
42
41
117
77
77
96
69
73
16
83
67
93
81
43
96
81
111
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSW
14
0.1
NW
11
0.1
W
10
0.4
SSW
15
0.1
W
10
0.3
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
W
14
0.2
SSW
12
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
14
0.3
W
14
0.5
NE
5
0.4
W
14
0.4
W
13
0.4
SW
16
Energy kJ
20
5
2
74
2
40
40
38
37
34
16
16
15
31
37
32
11
64
55
91
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NW
11
0.1
S
13
0.1
W
10
0.1
SW
13
0.1
W
16
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
15
0.1
W
18
0.2
W
16
0.2
SSW
12
0.2
SSW
12
0.2
SSW
19
0.4
W
14
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.4
W
13
Energy kJ
5
3
2
7
5
5
17
6
20
14
14
37
61
79
77
55
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNE
7
0.8
NNE
7
0.9
NNE
7
1
NNE
7
1
NNE
8
1.1
NE
7
Energy kJ
93
66
90
114
120
112
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
Distance (km)
88
35
35
35
35
46
91
35
88
35
35
88
35
35
91
88
0
88
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
2
2
3
4
3
2
4
1
2
4
3
3
4
2
2
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
7
8
7
5
5
9
6
9
9
5
6
5
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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