Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, WNW swell with 57 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 0.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's be real about this one. We're looking at a stretch that's going to be a proper test of patience. Right now, the surf is tiny and the conditions are messy. The wave energy is very weak (32), and it's not going to get much better for a long while.
The first solid week is a write-off. We're talking day after day of knee-high dribble. The swell is coming from the WNW, which is the right direction for Kua Bay, but it's just got no power. The wind is mostly light cross-onshore, which is not doing us any favours. To be honest, from Sunday the 16th right through the week, everything is scoring a zero. You'll see a few glassy moments on Monday the 17th afternoon and Tuesday the 18th afternoon, but with waves only 1.0ft, there's nothing to ride. It's a frustrating stretch.
We've got a gap of about 9 days with no real hope. The energy stays low, barely cracking double digits, and the wind is all over the shop. Don't waste your time staring at the ocean.
There is a tiny glimmer on the horizon. By the time we get to Wednesday the 26th of August, the swell picks up a bit. We're looking at 2ft from the WNW, and the combined energy climbs to 111 (moderate). That's the first time we see some real push. The wind is very light, almost glassy, so it could be clean. This is still a very small wave, but it's the best we've got.
Then, the real standout finally appears on Monday, the 31st of August. I'm talking about the very last session in the forecast. Kua Bay is going to see a 1ft swell from the WNW with a long period of 15 seconds. The combined energy gets up to 123 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSW, which is the cleanest wind we've seen in the whole run. That's the one to circle. It's a long way out, so don't get too attached, but it's the only time this forecast looks like it's worth a paddle.
The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 15 | WNW 10 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 32 | 49 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 33 | 48 | 28 | 41 | 49 | 47 | 21 | 9 | 39 | 18 | 37 | 20 | 36 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 6:02PM0.58m | 7:19AM0.61m | 6:25PM0.49m | 8:16AM0.61m | 6:42PM0.41m | 9:26AM0.61m | 10:49AM0.62m | 12:03PM0.64m | 11:29PM0.26m | 12:58PM0.68m | 00:53AM0.29m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 12:18PM0.24m | 00:32AM0.09m | 1:18PM0.30m | 00:58AM0.11m | 2:41PM0.35m | 1:28AM0.14m | 2:09AM0.16m | 3:15AM0.18m | 8:38PM0.25m | 8:45PM0.21m | |||||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | WNW 13 | NE 7 | NNE 4 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 112 | 75 | 65 | 45 | 62 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 33 | 24 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 31 | 18 | 31 | 35 | 21 | 80 | 45 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SSW 6 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 18 | 15 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 4 | 48 | 28 | 25 | 49 | 47 | 69 | 69 | 39 | 64 | 37 | 63 | 34 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | S 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 16 | NNE 6 | SW 16 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 32 | 49 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 8 | 41 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 19 | 18 | 10 | 20 | 36 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 20 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 4 | 30 | 98 | 4 | 32 | 25 | 23 | 32 | 23 | 18 | 98 | 30 | 10 |
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.
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