
Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, W swell with 142 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with W 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kua Bay in the next 16 days are 0.6m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I'm looking at the same stretch. Let's talk in feet and knots.
The outlook for Kua Bay over the next 16 days is a tough one. It’s a whole lot of quiet, with a big gap of nothing. We get a quick, tiny window on the very first day, then it dries up for a solid 12 days.
That first potential session is Friday morning, July 17th. There's a small west-northwest swell at about 2 feet, with a 14-second period. That's a long-period groundswell, which means it'll have some push, but it’s small, and the combined energy is only 203 (moderate). The wind is light cross-onshore from the west at 3 mph, which is light enough to not ruin it completely. The water is a warm 80°, which is about 1° warmer than average for this time of year – comfortable. This is a marginal session for an intermediate who's not too fussy, and you might see a few other surfers out there.
After that, it is flat. Nothing. Zero. No waves from Saturday the 18th until the very end of July. The next time we see any energy is on Friday, July 31st, with a tiny pulse of 1 feet to 2 feet, but the conditions are poor. It's not worth the paddle. The first weekend of August shows a tiny bump, but it's still only "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions."
So, the only real chance – and it's a slim one – is that Friday morning on the 17th. For a spot that's usually fairly consistent, this is a desert. No standouts here. Just a whole lot of flat water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
146 | 138 | 89 | 87 | 57 | 50 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 6:17PM0.77m | 7:09AM0.48m | 6:50PM0.67m | 8:11AM0.52m | 7:20PM0.57m | 9:19AM0.56m | 7:48PM0.48m | 10:31AM0.59m | 8:18PM0.40m | 11:39AM0.63m | 9:15PM0.33m | 12:37PM0.67m | 11:22PM0.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.09m | 12:27PM0.22m | 1:43AM0.10m | 1:31PM0.30m | 2:14AM0.11m | 2:59PM0.36m | 2:49AM0.12m | 5:16PM0.38m | 3:30AM0.14m | 7:54PM0.33m | 4:20AM0.14m | 8:43PM0.28m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 5 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 |
63 | 43 | 64 | 93 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 54 | 48 | 53 | 42 | 12 | 12 | 39 | 38 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 66 | 38 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NE 4 | NE 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 |
146 | 138 | 89 | 87 | 57 | 50 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 13 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 49 | 60 | 91 | 78 | 75 | 66 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | ENE 6 | NNE 8 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SW 11 | ENE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 |
21 | 7 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 65 | 55 | 106 | 58 | 25 | 25 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 0 | 30 | 10 | 4 | 100 | 96 | 19 | 98 | 39 | 20 | 98 | 39 | 20 | 100 | 100 | 14 | 100 | 14 | 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.










