Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SSW swell with 146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period. 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM. 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 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's take a look.
We got a real slow period ahead at Kawaihae Breakwater. A long, flat spell to start. From now until the end of July, it’s dead. Tiny 0.7ft waves from the south-southwest, with a period running from 16 to 21 seconds. The combined energy is weak, reading between 25 and 45 for those days. The winds are clean and offshore, but when the swell is that small, it just sinks on the reef. The water temp is 80°F, about normal for the season.
We’re looking at a major gap. From the 22nd of July all the way through to the 5th of August, the forecast says "poor surf conditions" or flat. That’s a solid two weeks with nothing worth paddling out for.
Then, around the 5th of August, a little pulse shows up. The swell swings to the west-northwest, giving us a small 1ft wave with a 13 to 14 second period. The combined energy climbs into the low 90s (91 on the morning of the 6th). The wind stays light and clean, offshore or glassy. It’s being called "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," but after two weeks of nothing, this is the standout window. A 1ft wave on this reef with a 14 second period will produce a clean, little line. That long period means longer waits between sets, but the shape will be there.
Crowds are sometimes a factor here, but with this tiny swell, you’ll have the place to yourself. Grab a longboard.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 21 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | NNE 8 | SW 14 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 30 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 16 | 45 | 25 | 37 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:59PM0.76m | 3:54AM0.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:38AM-0.02m | 11:05PM0.06m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 23 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | ENE 13 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 |
| kJ | 106 | 17 | 46 | 43 | 31 | 62 | 85 | 84 | 133 | 133 | 98 | 103 | 123 | 95 | 98 | 93 | 105 | 55 | 161 | 88 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | ENE 13 | SSW 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 |
| kJ | 30 | 91 | 78 | 75 | 66 | 61 | 59 | 76 | 51 | 102 | 102 | 86 | 84 | 48 | 42 | 41 | 35 | 37 | 55 | 115 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 21 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | S 11 | SW 14 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | SSW 14 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 11 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 16 | 45 | 25 | 37 | 2 | 8 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 31 | 31 | 41 | — | 39 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 95 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 50 | 88 | 91 | 88 | 49 | 91 | 35 | 88 | 91 | 35 | 86 | 35 | 35 | 88 | 88 | 35 | 86 | 50 | 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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