
Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, W swell with 314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next 16 days.
Honestly, it's a pretty quiet stretch ahead. The first few days are a total write-off, barely a ripple. We're looking at a gap of about 5 days with nothing worth paddling out for. The first real flicker of life arrives on Tuesday, 14 July, and it builds from there, but we're not talking about any kind of classic.
The standout in this window, no question, is Kua Bay. It's an intermediate spot, fairly consistent, and it's exposed to a WNW swell, which is exactly what the guidance says is the sweet spot. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a nice little bonus.
The pick of the bunch looks like Wednesday morning, 15 July. We've got a 3ft W swell rolling in with a 16-second period, giving it some real push. The combined energy is a solid moderate 310. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSW at 9 mph, which should keep the faces tidy. It's a small wave, but with that long period, it'll have some shape and grunt. It's a good call for a fun, uncrowded session, though keep in mind this spot is a bit of a rare gem, so it could be a touch inconsistent.
Tuesday afternoon, 14 July, is also worth a mention. A 2ft W swell, 16-second period, and clean cross-off wind from the SW at 9 mph. The energy is moderate at 267. It's a similar vibe, a little smaller, but still surfable and clean.
After that, the 16th through the 18th are pretty ordinary – marginal conditions and onshore winds messing things up. The 19th onwards sees the swell drop right off again, with tiny waves and poor conditions taking over through to the end of the outlook. By the 22nd, there's almost nothing at all.
So, for the best chance at a decent wave, aim for the morning of Wednesday, 15 July at Kua Bay. It's not a big swell, but the conditions will be clean and the ocean will have some energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 18 | W 19 | W 16 | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
64 | 55 | 54 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 162 | 251 | 267 | 270 | 310 | 302 | 291 | 275 | 272 | 206 | 203 | 146 | 138 | 89 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:08PM0.88m | 1:44AM0.30m | 2:56PM0.93m | 2:43AM0.32m | 3:41PM0.96m | 3:37AM0.34m | 4:24PM0.95m | 4:28AM0.37m | 5:04PM0.91m | 5:19AM0.41m | 5:42PM0.85m | 6:13AM0.45m | 6:17PM0.77m | 7:09AM0.48m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:33PM0.17m | 7:18AM-0.00m | 10:14PM0.13m | 8:12AM-0.02m | 10:53PM0.10m | 9:03AM-0.02m | 11:30PM0.09m | 9:53AM0.01m | 00:05AM0.08m | 10:42AM0.06m | 00:39AM0.08m | 11:32AM0.14m | 1:11AM0.09m | 12:27PM0.22m | |||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | |
7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | 7:05 | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | SW 16 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | W 16 | NNE 7 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
120 | 56 | 111 | 114 | 62 | 99 | 75 | 53 | 64 | 88 | 64 | 310 | 66 | 291 | 275 | 272 | 206 | 61 | 74 | 61 | 40 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | W 18 | W 19 | W 16 | W 17 | NNE 7 | W 15 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 |
64 | 55 | 66 | 64 | 26 | 57 | 54 | 162 | 251 | 267 | 270 | 48 | 302 | 64 | 48 | 39 | 42 | 203 | 146 | 138 | 89 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 13 | W 13 | E 8 | W 12 | W 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | NNE 7 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
79 | 77 | 54 | 28 | 5 | 26 | 26 | 51 | 47 | 46 | 44 | 44 | 49 | 63 | 26 | 30 | 22 | 14 | 13 | 34 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 107 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 20 | 30 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 10 | 30 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 32 | 17 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
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.











