Surf Forecasts:
Kealia surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, E swell with 408 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kealia this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kealia in the next 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 12s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kealia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for this stretch of coast. We’ve got a long outlook ahead, and honestly, it’s a bit of a slow burn for the most part.
The pattern starts pretty quiet and stays that way for a solid week. The first week and a half is dominated by short-period, onshore wind swell that’s just not doing us any favours. That easterly wind is blowing straight into the beach, keeping things messy. There’s a big gap of poor surf from the start right through to the end of August, with only a brief flicker of hope right at the tail end of the window.
The first real sign of life doesn’t show up until the very end of the forecast. We’ve got a long wait. From the 20th of August all the way through to the 30th, it’s a whole lot of nothing. The energy is there, but the wind is just wrong. That onshore breeze is a killer.
Then, things get interesting. The standout in this entire 16-day window is the run from August 31st through to September 1st. The swell really starts to build around the 30th, but it’s still blown out. The real magic is on the 31st of August. We’re looking at a solid 8ft to 8ft swell pulsing in from the ENE with a beautiful, long period of 13 seconds. That’s groundswell, folks. The combined energy is roaring, hitting 1915 on the 31st afternoon. This is proper, powerful stuff. However, there’s a big caveat: the wind is still onshore from the NE at 15 mph. That’s going to be a problem. For a beach and reef setup like Kealia, which is exposed to the wind, it’s going to be a battle. The waves will have plenty of push, but it’ll be choppy and hard to get a clean wall. This is really one for the experts or for the kites, as it’s more about power than presentation. The water temperature is sitting pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The 1st of September keeps the size around the 7ft to 7ft mark with that long period, but the wind stays onshore. The first afternoon gets a *marginal* nod, which is the best we see all period, but it’s still a compromised session.
After that, the swell settles back down through the first week of September, fading off to smaller, shorter-period windswell with that same pesky onshore wind. It’s not worth getting excited about.
So, the bottom line: If you’re an expert and you don’t mind a rough surface, the 31st of August has the raw power. For everyone else, this is a quiet period. The forecast can always change, but for now, it’s a lot of waiting for a session that’s going to require a lot of commitment.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
108 | 82 | 148 | 169 | 88 | 74 | 108 | 107 | 163 | 236 | 319 | 320 | 274 | 247 | 247 | 339 | 337 | 387 | 314 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:08AM0.59m | 12:11PM0.63m | 12:52PM0.66m | 11:08PM0.31m | 1:24PM0.70m | 00:18AM0.34m | 1:52PM0.73m | 1:02AM0.38m | 2:17PM0.75m | 1:41AM0.42m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 1:22AM0.18m | 2:38AM0.19m | 4:13AM0.18m | 9:06PM0.30m | 5:23AM0.15m | 8:47PM0.29m | 6:14AM0.12m | 8:51PM0.27m | 6:56AM0.10m | 9:02PM0.25m | |||||||||
— | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
7:05 | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 15 |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | W 11 | WNW 12 | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | NW 12 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | S 14 |
73 | 70 | 148 | 169 | 88 | 74 | 57 | 183 | 83 | 256 | 151 | 121 | 144 | 81 | 54 | 24 | 41 | 54 | 106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | E 8 | W 10 | W 11 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | SSE 14 | S 14 | WNW 12 | S 14 | S 14 | SE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSE 8 |
45 | 82 | 18 | 36 | 41 | 46 | 63 | 104 | 138 | 107 | 93 | 23 | 58 | 90 | 60 | 53 | 24 | 28 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | W 10 | W 10 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 10 |
16 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 31 | 31 | 18 | 23 | 73 | 49 | 47 | 44 | 71 | 63 | 35 | 29 | 85 | 49 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
108 | — | — | — | — | — | 108 | 107 | 163 | 236 | 319 | 320 | 274 | 247 | 247 | 339 | 337 | 387 | 314 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 41 | 40 | 40 | 41 | 45 | 50 | 120 | 41 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaua'i | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kealia Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kealia provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kealia can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kealia 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 (Kealia) 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 Kealia 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.
Are you planning a vacation in Kaua'i? If you are looking for accommodation near Kealia, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Kaua'i, consider staying in Lihue - Kauai which is 14 km (9 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Nawiliwili which is 15 km (9 miles) away











