Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with 109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. 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 2PM. 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. I’m looking at the next 16 days here, and honestly, it’s a tough stretch. The surf is mostly flat or tiny, with only a few fleeting moments that might get you wet, but nothing to get excited about. The standout window is very narrow.
We start with a real quiet spell. The first bit of any real size shows up on Wednesday morning, September 23rd at Kua Bay. That morning, we’ve got 4ft of swell pushing in from the NE, with a short period of 6 seconds. The energy reading is a modest 81, so it’s not packing much punch. The real kicker is that the wind is calm, glassy – dead flat water. But the conditions are described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s small, weak, and the period is short, so the waves won’t have much shape. It’s an intermediate-level wave at best, and the crowds can be a factor here, so expect some company if you paddle out. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
That’s basically your only real shot at a wave in the whole 16-day run. After the 23rd, it’s back to near-zero swell, with a few tiny blips of 0.7ft or 1ft here and there, but nothing that’s going to offer a proper ride. There’s a long gap from the afternoon of the 23rd all the way through to the end of the period, with no recommended surf. Late on the 30th of September, a little 1ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period shows up, but with an energy of only 68, it’s just a whisper. The winds are glassy that afternoon, so it’ll be clean, but it’s barely a ripple.
Honestly, for a spot that’s usually fairly consistent, this is a frustrating run. The forecasts can change, but right now, you’re better off doing something else. If it were me, I’d wait and see if the models shift.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri night, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 8 | SW 12 | NNE 5 | SW 17 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SW 17 | SW 18 | WSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 5 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 33 | 41 | 56 | 0 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | on | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 7:20AM0.66m | 5:58PM0.35m | 8:22AM0.62m | 9:47AM0.61m | 11:11AM0.62m | 11:51PM0.27m | 12:12PM0.65m | 00:49AM0.32m | 12:56PM0.68m | 1:27AM0.37m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:50PM0.11m | 2:29PM0.31m | 00:17AM0.14m | 00:53AM0.18m | 2:02AM0.21m | 7:43PM0.22m | 4:05AM0.22m | 7:52PM0.19m | 5:34AM0.20m | 8:07PM0.16m | |||||||||
 |  | |  | | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | 6:25 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | N 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 6 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 50 | 79 | 152 | 75 | 64 | 64 | 35 | 54 | 77 | 28 | 20 | 75 | 33 | 41 | 65 | 13 | 17 | 40 | 109 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 8 | NE 7 | SW 17 | ENE 10 | ENE 8 | NE 6 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | NE 6 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 94 | 3 | 13 | 75 | 36 | 52 | 15 | 78 | 145 | 127 | 15 | 64 | 58 | 42 | 42 | 38 | 35 | 27 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 12 | NNE 9 | ENE 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | NNE 7 | WSW 9 | ENE 8 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | ENE 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 11 |
| kJ | 7 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 65 | 64 | 148 | 15 | 8 | 13 | 64 | 24 | 13 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 19 | 34 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 7 | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 48 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | 56 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 30 | 4 | 14 | 97 | 20 | 4 | 30 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 30 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 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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