
Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period, W swell with 65 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) 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 1.1m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G’day, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you—this outlook for Kua Bay is a bit of a slow burn. We’ve got a long dry spell ahead before any proper waves show up, so don’t rush to wax your board just yet.
The first week is pretty much a write-off. From Friday 3 July right through to the end of Sunday 12 July, the surf is flat to tiny, with swell heights barely scraping 1 ft and combined energy values down in the weak range (0 to 76). The water temperature is sitting at 81°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year—nice for a dip but not for riding. Winds are mostly light and variable, with a few glassy moments on Saturday 4 July afternoon and Monday 6 July afternoon, but there’s just no push in the water. That Friday 10 July afternoon offers the only glimmer: a 1 ft West swell (14 sec period) with glassy conditions and combined energy of 76—surfable but very ordinary. It’s not worth a dedicated trip.
Then, after more tiny days, we finally see a shift around Monday 13 July. The swell picks up to 2 ft from the West (15 sec period) and combined energy jumps to 121—moderate energy now. Winds are light cross-onshore in the morning, but the afternoon turns clean with a cross-off breeze. Still, the conditions are poor and the score is low.
The real standout finally arrives on Thursday 16 July. The afternoon session at Kua Bay (Hawaii) is the best on offer across the whole 16-day window. Swell comes from the West at 3 ft, with a period of 15 seconds—that’s a proper groundswell with good shape and energy. Combined energy is 275, moderate but solid. Winds are cross-off from the SSW at 9 mph, keeping the surface clean. The guidance says Kua Bay is fairly consistent, exposed to the WNW swell direction, and works best with WNW swell—so this West swell is a good match. Crowds here are sometimes an issue, so expect a few others out. This is recommended for intermediate surfers; the size is well within comfort range, but that long period means the sets will have some punch and longer lulls, so paddle outs should be easier.
Wednesday 15 July afternoon is almost as good, with a 3 ft WNW swell (16 sec period, combined energy 416) and clean cross-off wind, but the score is a touch lower, so Thursday 16 July afternoon gets the nod.
After that, surf fades quickly. Friday 17 July drops back to 2 ft and 2 ft, and by Saturday 18 July we’re back to 2 ft with weak energy. The run from 19 July onward has no data, but it’s likely a gap of several days with no recommendations.
Takeaway: the best window is Thursday 16 July afternoon. Go then for clean, waist-high groundswell with decent energy. Everything else is small and forgettable.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | SW 13 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | SW 13 | NE 7 | W 18 | W 17 | W 17 | NNE 7 | W 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 15 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 22 | 0 | 37 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:16PM0.76m | 6:52AM0.39m | 6:46PM0.71m | 7:53AM0.43m | 7:17PM0.64m | 9:01AM0.49m | 7:52PM0.57m | 10:13AM0.56m | 8:37PM0.48m | 11:22AM0.64m | 9:39PM0.40m | 12:22PM0.73m | 11:07PM0.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:07AM0.14m | 1:24AM0.14m | 11:51AM0.20m | 1:54AM0.13m | 12:46PM0.27m | 2:25AM0.12m | 2:03PM0.33m | 3:00AM0.10m | 3:53PM0.37m | 3:41AM0.09m | 6:03PM0.35m | 4:30AM0.07m | 7:43PM0.29m | ||||||||
5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NNE 7 | SSW 15 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
76 | 40 | 117 | 106 | 56 | 78 | 74 | 93 | 51 | 82 | 114 | 42 | 98 | 122 | 96 | 75 | 85 | 61 | 73 | 47 | 64 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | NNE 5 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | NNE 5 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 13 | W 10 | SSW 15 | W 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NE 7 | W 14 |
19 | 17 | 15 | 38 | 15 | 65 | 61 | 58 | 7 | 2 | 74 | 2 | 41 | 40 | 41 | 38 | 37 | 17 | 16 | 43 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 11 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | W 18 | W 17 | W 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
28 | 16 | 45 | 85 | 75 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | 22 | 16 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | — | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 114 | 96 | — | 96 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 100 | 4 | 100 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 19 | 4 | 100 | 4 | 20 | 100 | 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.










