Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 5s period, NNE swell with 74 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 1.3m 5s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 2PM. 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 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Grab your board, but maybe leave the quiver in the car—this 16-day stretch for Kua Bay is a flat spell, plain and simple. We're looking at a whole lot of nothing for the next couple of weeks, with only a couple of tiny blips that'll barely wet your fins. The water's sitting at 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won't need a hood.
The pattern is grim from the get-go. Friday morning the 28th has a measly 2ft of short-period NNE windswell at 5 seconds, but with cross-onshore breeze it's a mess—energy reading a weak 38. That's about as good as it gets, and it's not saying much. After that, we go into a real drought. Saturday the 29th through Thursday the 3rd of September? Forget it. Waves are under 1ft, most of the time there's nothing at all. You're looking at a solid week of flat, glassy, empty ocean.
The only flicker of life comes on Friday afternoon, the 4th of September. We finally see 4ft of swell, but it's short-period junk at 6 seconds, from the NNE, with energy of 96—still weak. The wind goes glassy though, so at least the surface will be clean if you're desperate for a paddle. It's surfable, but honestly, it's more about bobbing around than real surfing. This is the standout, and it's a shaky one.
After that Friday blip, it's back to the grind. Saturday the 5th through Wednesday the 9th is more of the same—tiny dribbles under 1ft or nothing. The energy readings stay low, below 70, with a mix of light onshore and glassy spells. Nothing worth getting out of bed for.
The 10th of September kicks up a south cross-off breeze at 28 mph, but the swell is still only 1ft—that's not surf, that's just wind chop. Same story through the 12th. The 12th afternoon even brings a risk of thunderstorms, so the sky's going to join in on the gloom.
Bottom line: there are no good surf options in this entire window. Kua Bay is exposed, and it's just not firing. It's a consistent-enough spot that this flat spell feels unusual, so don't lose hope—forecasts can change, but as it stands, don't wax up yet.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | NNE 5 | W 10 | SW 18 | NE 6 | SW 17 | W 12 | NNE 7 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 12 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | NE 8 | W 10 | W 9 | NNE 7 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 44 | 11 | 0 | 36 | 33 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:09PM0.75m | 4:36AM0.58m | 4:36PM0.69m | 5:14AM0.62m | 5:03PM0.63m | 5:56AM0.66m | 5:30PM0.55m | 6:44AM0.67m | 5:58PM0.47m | 7:43AM0.68m | 6:27PM0.39m | 8:58AM0.68m | 6:59PM0.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:40AM0.10m | 10:39PM0.08m | 10:22AM0.13m | 11:01PM0.07m | 11:07AM0.17m | 11:24PM0.06m | 11:58AM0.22m | 11:50PM0.07m | 1:00PM0.27m | 00:21AM0.07m | 2:28PM0.32m | 00:59AM0.09m | 5:04PM0.31m | 1:54AM0.12m | |||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NNE 7 | NE 7 |
8 | 22 | 40 | 34 | 51 | 53 | 61 | 81 | 59 | 91 | 123 | 103 | 143 | 143 | 91 | 88 | 31 | 42 | 21 | 50 | 49 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | NNE 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NE 8 | W 10 | W 9 | NE 8 | SSW 13 |
39 | 8 | 34 | 16 | 15 | 44 | 25 | 22 | 36 | 33 | 20 | 20 | 31 | 31 | 51 | 51 | 64 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | W 12 | S 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | W 9 |
4 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 36 | 20 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 45 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | NNE 7 | — | — |
26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 129 | 84 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 100 | 19 | 100 | 100 | 4 | 100 | 4 | 20 | 14 | 100 | 4 | 100 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 26 | 19 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











