
Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, WSW swell with 932 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period. 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 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let me level with you about Kua Bay: mate, it’s a tough stretch ahead. Right now through the entire 16-day window, there is barely a wave to get excited about. The first real bump doesn’t show until Monday the 7th, and even then, it’s only marginal.
So, starting Sunday the 6th, nothing. Flat. Monday the 7th sees a small SW groundswell push in at around 3ft to 4ft with a period of 11 to 12 seconds, but the wind is cross-on from the west. It’s weak energy at best (combined energy at 205 to 309), and the report flags it as only marginal. Tuesday the 8th offers the biggest swell of the whole run, with 5ft from the WSW and a 10-second period. The morning has a clean cross-off wind from the SSW at 12 mph, and the combined energy hits 453 – that’s moderate. This is the standout for the entire forecast, but only just. It’s still rated as marginal in the data, although the conditions are clean. That’s your best shot for a surf, but at 5ft, it’s getting a bit sizey for beginners.
After that, from Wednesday the 9th onward, it’s a total wipeout. The swell drops to 2ft or smaller, with combined energy falling to weak numbers like 55 and below. Winds are mostly cross, cross-on, or onshore, and there are long flat spells. Honestly, from the 9th of September right through to the 21st, the data shows only poor surf conditions with tiny scraps of swell. There’s a very long period 22-second groundswell on Monday the 14th, but it’s only 1ft – practically a ripple (combined energy 73). That’s not doing anything for a surfer.
The water temp is sitting at 82°F, which is about 2°F warmer than the long-term average – it’s notably warmer for this time of year, but not crazy unusual. Kua Bay (Big Island) is an exposed spot that needs a good WNW or NW swell to work. This run is almost devoid of any real push. The setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer given the persistent small swell and frequent cross winds.
Bottom line: if you haven’t got other plans, save your energy for Tuesday the 8th morning – that’s the only window with clean 5ft waves. The rest is a blank stretch for the books.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 437 | 205 | 309 | 932 | 453 | 375 | 125 | 38 | 14 | 3 | 43 | 50 | 42 | 35 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 29 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:07AM0.33m | 1:36PM0.81m | 1:57AM0.40m | 2:18PM0.82m | 2:40AM0.48m | 2:55PM0.80m | 3:19AM0.56m | 3:28PM0.76m | 3:57AM0.62m | 4:00PM0.70m | 4:35AM0.67m | 4:29PM0.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:14PM0.15m | 6:18AM0.11m | 8:41PM0.12m | 7:21AM0.09m | 9:06PM0.09m | 8:14AM0.08m | 9:31PM0.07m | 9:04AM0.09m | 9:55PM0.06m | 9:51AM0.11m | 10:19PM0.05m | 10:36AM0.14m | 10:41PM0.06m | |||||||
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
6:34 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | |
mm | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SW 16 | SW 11 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
244 | 437 | 205 | 309 | 932 | 453 | 375 | 125 | 51 | 73 | 62 | 43 | 20 | 53 | 36 | 45 | 37 | 44 | 39 | 61 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 10 | SW 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 11 | SW 10 | NE 6 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NE 5 | SW 14 |
61 | 26 | 49 | 77 | 195 | 174 | 117 | 35 | 38 | 14 | 33 | 16 | 50 | 40 | 35 | 16 | 57 | 60 | 8 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NE 9 | SW 7 | SW 7 | WNW 6 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | SW 14 | WSW 8 |
47 | 81 | 79 | 79 | 81 | 84 | 81 | 41 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 42 | 66 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 29 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 73 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 0 | 51 | 51 | 0 | 97 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 30 | 100 | 39 | 97 | 98 | 14 |
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.










