
Surf Forecasts:
Kawaihae Breakwater surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 66 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 0.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) 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 1.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kawaihae Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, breakin’ it down in feet and degrees for you mainlanders.
First off, this Kawaihae Breakwater stretch has a dry spell to start. From Thursday July 30th right through to Sunday August 9th, it’s flat or nearly flat – a full 10 days of nothin’ worth paddlin’ for. Water temp is hangin’ around 80°, which is dead average for this time of year.
The first real nod comes on Monday August 10th. A small 3ft W swell with a 14-second period shows up, and combined energy hits 268 – that’s moderate juice. Wind is a light offshore from the NE at 6 mph, so the surface will be clean. It’s a small but solid start for a reef setup like this.
Tuesday August 11th keeps the vibes: 3ft W swell again, 14 seconds, energy at 257, with light offshore winds (3 mph from NNE). Clean again. Crowds can pop up sometimes, so don’t expect a solo mission.
Wednesday August 12th is the gem. We’re lookin’ at 3ft of W swell, 13-second period, and combined energy jumps to 315 – that’s the highest of the whole window. Winds go glassy from the NE at 3 mph in the afternoon. That combo of clean glass and moderate groundswell makes this the best session on offer. For a reef break, that long-period W groundswell is gonna produce smooth, lined-up walls.
Thursday August 13th and Friday August 14th drop off to 2ft and then 2ft, energy fading into the low 100s and 150s. Still clean, but you’ll want a log or a funboard to get the most out of it.
So here’s the deal: sit tight through the first week-plus, then circle Monday the 10th to Wednesday the 12th of August. Wednesday afternoon is your best bet – glassy, clean, and the most energy we’re gonna see.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NNE 6 | SSW 13 | NE 8 | W 11 | NNE 6 | W 12 | ENE 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 12 | W 11 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
49 | 41 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 49 | 29 | 47 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:59PM0.74m | 5:14AM0.34m | 5:28PM0.71m | 5:58AM0.38m | 5:56PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.42m | 6:25PM0.59m | 7:40AM0.47m | 6:56PM0.51m | 8:43AM0.52m | 7:30PM0.41m | 9:54AM0.57m | 8:12PM0.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:55PM0.04m | 10:35AM0.03m | 00:20AM0.03m | 11:18AM0.08m | 00:46AM0.02m | 12:07PM0.14m | 1:13AM0.01m | 1:09PM0.20m | 1:44AM-0.00m | 2:34PM0.25m | 2:20AM-0.00m | 4:37PM0.27m | 3:05AM-0.01m | |||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SW 15 | NE 6 | NE 8 | SW 14 | NNE 6 | NE 8 | NNE 6 | N 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | ENE 11 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | NE 9 | W 11 | NNE 4 |
54 | 45 | 43 | 75 | 55 | 70 | 116 | 47 | 37 | 110 | 30 | 22 | 31 | 20 | 47 | 40 | 17 | 21 | 10 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | N 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | N 11 | NE 8 | N 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 12 | NE 6 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | W 12 | NNE 9 | NE 4 |
49 | 41 | 65 | 60 | 5 | 49 | 29 | 9 | 35 | 15 | 33 | 31 | 17 | 56 | 8 | 45 | 38 | 11 | 8 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 8 | N 9 | S 12 | N 8 | E 14 | E 14 | N 10 | SSW 13 | N 9 | W 11 | ENE 12 | W 12 | N 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | NNE 9 | SSW 11 | NE 8 |
28 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 17 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | — | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NNE 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | 73 | — | — | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 52 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 46 | 88 | 65 | 46 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 88 | 88 | 35 | 91 | 91 | 23 | 86 | 87 | 49 | 87 | 87 | 49 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











