
Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NE swell with 60 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 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy 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 01) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. Looking at the next couple of weeks, it’s a real story of patience. We’ve got a long flat spell up front, and it’s only towards the back half of the window that things start to wake up. Don’t get too excited too early, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The first week is a total write-off. From Friday the 31st right through to about the 11th of August, there’s basically nothing on offer. We’re seeing tiny, weak swells, with wave heights struggling to get past 1 foot. The energy is just pathetic, with values mostly in the single digits and teens. It’s flat, it’s small, and the odd ripple we do get is messy. You’d be fighting for a wave that’s not even worth the paddle. This is a gap of about 11 days with nothing worth suiting up for. It’s one of those stretches where the ocean just goes to sleep.
Now, the second week is where things get interesting. By the 12th of August, we start to see the energy building, but it’s still marginal. The swell is picking up a touch, into that 2-foot range, but the winds are mostly onshore or cross-shore, keeping things bumpy. It’s still pretty poor, but you can feel the change coming.
The real standout, the one worth circling on the calendar, is the morning of Friday, the 14th of August. That’s Kua Bay (Big Island) at its best. We’ve got a clean 2.5 to 3 feet of west-northwest swell rolling in, and the wind has dropped right off to that perfect glassy state. The wave energy is building to a strong 275, and that long 15-second period means the waves are going to have some real push and shape. It’s going to be clean, it’s going to be lined up, and for a spot that can be a bit fickle, this looks like the pick of the fortnight. There’s also some promise in the afternoon of Thursday the 13th, with the wind going glassy too, and the energy is already up there at a strong 229, but the morning of the 14th just edges it with that slightly cleaner and punchier swell.
The weekend after that, the 15th, shows the swell has arrived properly, with energy readings in the 400s and a solid 3 to 3.5 feet of west swell. But you’ve got to watch the wind; it’s a bit more variable and could get a little lumpy. It’s still got potential, but the forecast is a bit less certain that far out. For now, the 14th is your day. It’s been a long wait, but that one looks worth it.
Keep it salty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 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) | N 9 | NE 6 | N 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | N 10 | N 7 | N 9 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 60 | 5 | 29 | 29 | 16 | 31 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 27 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 5:12PM0.77m | 5:39AM0.48m | 5:39PM0.72m | 6:24AM0.51m | 6:05PM0.65m | 7:15AM0.55m | 6:33PM0.57m | 8:16AM0.59m | 7:03PM0.49m | 9:30AM0.63m | 7:38PM0.40m | 10:50AM0.68m | 8:46PM0.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:59PM0.11m | 11:05AM0.16m | 00:23AM0.10m | 11:52AM0.22m | 00:48AM0.09m | 12:48PM0.28m | 1:18AM0.09m | 2:06PM0.34m | 1:54AM0.09m | 4:10PM0.36m | 2:41AM0.10m | 6:56PM0.32m | 3:45AM0.09m | |||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | SW 15 | ENE 8 | SW 14 | NE 8 | NNE 6 | NE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
78 | 55 | 27 | 29 | 86 | 44 | 73 | 31 | 23 | 30 | 20 | 11 | 21 | 15 | 51 | 26 | 42 | 19 | 35 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | N 8 | SW 14 | E 14 | SW 14 | NE 8 | N 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 10 | W 13 | NE 9 | W 12 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 |
60 | 5 | 49 | 4 | 29 | 35 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 16 | 54 | 47 | 44 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 28 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | S 12 | N 8 | S 11 | N 11 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | NNE 9 | W 12 | N 8 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 |
13 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 30 | 28 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 60 | 51 | 116 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 14 | 103 | 14 | 4 | 100 | 101 | 4 | 98 | 100 | 14 | 97 | 97 | 14 | 97 | 101 | 96 | 100 | 100 | 96 |
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.











