Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period, SW swell with 125 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period with SW 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s 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 0.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down in feet and Fahrenheit, same story – just different numbers.
It’s looking pretty dead for Kua Bay for a long while. From Monday, August 31st, right through the first week of September, it’s mostly flat. Tiny bumps here and there, but nothing you’d paddle out for. We’re talking waves barely 0.7ft to 1ft, with most days showing zero energy.
Water temp is sitting around 82°F, which is about average for this time of year – so no surprises there, just warm and flat.
There’s a little spike of hope around Saturday, September 5th. A small sw swell comes in at about 2ft, with an 11-second period, and combined energy of 125 (moderate). But the direction is SW, and Kua Bay really wants that WNW. Winds are light cross-onshore in the morning, turning to cross-shore chop in the afternoon. It’s surfable, but it’s not the day you write home about.
That little pulse hangs around through Sunday and Monday, still small and a bit messy.
The best chance you’ve got is Wednesday, September 9th. Swell hits 2ft again from the WSW, but the period jumps to 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell with more push and shape. Combined energy is 170 (moderate). Winds are light cross-shore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s the cleanest you’ll see in this forecast. Still, that’s a pretty low bar.
For beginners, it’s small enough to be safe, but the quality is poor. For kite surfers, those cross-shore days might be worth it.
Honestly, this is a classic slow period for Kua Bay. The forecast can always change, but as it stands, you’re better off finding a different hobby for a couple of weeks.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 12 | W 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 125 | 114 | 67 | 89 | 89 | 82 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 5:30PM0.55m | 6:44AM0.67m | 5:58PM0.47m | 7:43AM0.68m | 6:27PM0.39m | 8:58AM0.68m | 6:59PM0.32m | 10:26AM0.70m | 9:25PM0.26m | 11:46AM0.74m | 11:54PM0.28m | 12:47PM0.78m | 1:07AM0.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:50PM0.07m | 1:00PM0.27m | 00:21AM0.07m | 2:28PM0.32m | 00:59AM0.09m | 5:04PM0.31m | 1:54AM0.12m | 7:14PM0.25m | 3:19AM0.14m | 7:46PM0.20m | 4:58AM0.14m | 8:14PM0.15m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | SSW 16 | NE 7 | SSW 15 | S 14 | NE 7 | S 13 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | SW 10 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 |
129 | 113 | 26 | 53 | 106 | 50 | 107 | 42 | 16 | 135 | 87 | 83 | 78 | 41 | 63 | 71 | 57 | 89 | 117 | 230 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | ENE 8 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SSW 15 | W 10 | SW 13 | S 14 | E 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | SW 10 |
20 | 21 | 31 | 27 | 51 | 9 | 45 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 4 | 97 | 105 | 119 | 125 | 114 | 67 | 41 | 40 | 82 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 14 | NE 8 | W 11 | SW 14 | W 10 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | E 14 | E 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 13 | NNE 10 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | SW 10 | NNE 7 |
11 | 12 | 20 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 51 | 33 | 20 | 98 | 131 | 89 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 7 | — | — | NE 8 | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 59 | — | — | 110 | — | 102 | 105 | — | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 4 | 98 | 100 | 4 | 100 | 4 | 4 | 103 | 26 | 4 | 112 | 4 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 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.











