Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, NNE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with 108 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with NNE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kua Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kua Bay in the next 16 days are 0.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good hard look at what we’ve got cookin’ for Kua Bay.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: this is gonna be a long, flat stretch. There’s nothin’ worth paddling out for over the next week and a half. The ocean’s takin’ a nap. Don’t bother checkin’ the buoys; just find somethin’ else to do. The first few days give us tiny, weak dribbles – we’re talkin’ 0.7ft at times, but the wind’s all wrong, and the energy is basically zero. It’s just a big, flat, clean lake out there.
Things finally start to show a pulse of life on the 25th of September. Thursday afternoon we get a little 1ft bump from the NW, but it’s still real weak. The real spark comes the next day. Friday the 26th of September afternoon is the standout of the whole stretch. We’re lookin’ at clean 2ft waves from the WNW with glassy conditions – that’s the kind of surface you dream about. The swell energy is a solid 249 (moderate), and while it’s not huge, that long period (17 seconds) groundswell will wrap in there with some shape. It’ll be small, but clean, and it’s the only time in two weeks it’ll look any good.
Before that, on Thursday the 25th afternoon, there’s a brief moment with a glassy sea and a tiny 1ft WNW swell, but the energy is still weak (121). It’s more of a hopeful paddle than a proper session.
For context on that first decent day, the water temp at Kua Bay is about 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – about 2° above average. So the water’s nice, even if the waves aren’t.
So, if you’re chompin’ at the bit, circle Saturday the 26th of September afternoon on your calendar. That’s your best shot. Conditions are glassy, the swell is small but clean, and the energy is actually there. Crowds are possible here, so you won't be alone, but there won't be a crowd fight over this little blip of a swell. The rest of the period is a write-off for surf. A long, flat run like this is normal for the area when the ocean goes quiet.
Stay patient, and watch the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 11 | W 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | NNE 5 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | NE 7 | SW 17 | SW 18 | WSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | NE 7 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | off |
High Tide | 5:50AM0.70m | 5:21PM0.47m | 6:31AM0.69m | 5:43PM0.41m | 7:20AM0.66m | 5:58PM0.35m | 8:22AM0.62m | 9:47AM0.61m | 11:11AM0.62m | 11:51PM0.27m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:04PM0.07m | 12:12PM0.23m | 11:26PM0.09m | 1:09PM0.27m | 11:50PM0.11m | 2:29PM0.31m | 00:17AM0.14m | 00:53AM0.18m | 2:02AM0.21m | 7:43PM0.22m | 4:05AM0.22m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |  |  |  | |
 | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | 6:28 | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | SW 18 | NNE 5 | SW 17 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 48 | 46 | 59 | 54 | 41 | 21 | 8 | 79 | 31 | 75 | 84 | 140 | 41 | 84 | 77 | 23 | 42 | 97 | 34 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SW 20 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | SW 18 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SW 16 | ENE 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 20 | 7 | 46 | 45 | 98 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 152 | 19 | 29 | 64 | 41 | 78 | 145 | 127 | 64 | 64 | 58 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | NNE 10 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | WSW 9 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | SSW 16 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 9 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 9 | 96 | 94 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 65 | 33 | 148 | 28 | 8 | 17 | 5 | 49 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 98 | 98 | 14 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 97 | 30 | 20 | 30 | 28 | 4 | 4 | 39 | 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.
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