Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 27 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 Kua Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kua Bay 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 1.2m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM.
| 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 Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m gonna level with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for Kua Bay. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, sickly swell and winds that are mostly onshore or cross-shore. It’s not a total write-off, but you’ll be waiting a good while for anything worth paddling out for.
The water’s sitting at 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a bath, so you can leave the steamer at home.
The first real sniff of anything rideable doesn’t show up until the afternoon of August 27th, and even then it’s a pathetic 0.7 ft of N swell with a short 8-second period. The energy is basically nothing (5). That’s not surf, that’s a lake ripple. Friday morning the 28th gives us a 2 ft NNE swell, period only 5 seconds (24 energy), with cross-onshore wind – really not worth the drive.
We then hit a dead zone. From Saturday the 29th through to Tuesday the 1st of September, it’s mostly zeros and flat spells. A few tiny pulses show up – 1.0 ft from the SW on the 31st with a 15-second period (33 energy) but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s messy. The energy is still weak (33).
The pattern doesn’t really improve. Through the first week of September, we’re stuck with 0.3 ft to 1.0 ft swells, mostly from the W or SW, with periods ranging from 9 to 13 seconds. The combined energy stays well under 100, barely cracking 60 on the 8th (62) and 9th (57-58). Winds are consistently cross-onshore, light most days, but never offering that clean, glassy condition we’re after.
There is one slight glimmer. On the afternoon of September 10th, we finally see a modest bump: a 2 ft swell from the W with a 14-second period, and the energy jumps to 152 – that’s moderate wave energy. The wind is light cross-shore, which is the best we’ve seen. Still, 2 ft is tiny, and with that long period it’ll be super inconsistent and fat on the beach break. It’s not going to be epic.
Standout call: If you’re desperate, aim for the afternoon of September 10th. The swell direction (W) is a match for Kua Bay’s optimum (WNW), and the light cross-shore wind will be the cleanest we’ve seen in two weeks. But keep expectations low – it’s tiny and the long period means long waits between sets. This is strictly for the longboard or the foiler.
For the rest of the period, it’s a flat, frustrating stretch. The swell energy is almost always weak (values well under 100), wind is rarely favourable, and the wave heights are ankle-snappers. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Hang in there, but don’t hold your breath. The forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a long wait.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 5 | NNE 5 | SSW 16 | N 8 | N 7 | NNE 5 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 18 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 12 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 33 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 3:15PM0.79m | 3:25AM0.47m | 3:42PM0.78m | 4:00AM0.52m | 4:09PM0.75m | 4:36AM0.58m | 4:36PM0.69m | 5:14AM0.62m | 5:03PM0.63m | 5:56AM0.66m | 5:30PM0.55m | 6:44AM0.67m | 5:58PM0.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:58PM0.11m | 9:00AM0.08m | 10:18PM0.10m | 9:40AM0.10m | 10:39PM0.08m | 10:22AM0.13m | 11:01PM0.07m | 11:07AM0.17m | 11:24PM0.06m | 11:58AM0.22m | 11:50PM0.07m | 1:00PM0.27m | 00:21AM0.07m | |||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | SSW 13 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | SSW 14 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
28 | 17 | 15 | 28 | 16 | 39 | 37 | 30 | 46 | 54 | 32 | 61 | 78 | 42 | 93 | 130 | 60 | 120 | 147 | 95 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NNE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | NE 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 |
27 | 25 | 24 | 44 | 42 | 9 | 18 | 34 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 25 | 22 | 35 | 33 | 20 | 36 | 31 | 61 | 51 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 10 | SSW 12 | N 8 | N 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | S 12 | W 11 | S 11 | W 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
18 | 8 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 27 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 17 | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 14 | 100 | 100 | 20 | 100 | 14 | 19 | 100 | 100 | 4 | 100 | 4 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 4 | 100 | 26 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kua Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kua Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kua Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kua Bay 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 (Kua Bay) 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 Kua Bay 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.
Kua Bay is 97 km (60 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.











