Kua Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 19.81° N 156.01° W

Kua Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kua Bay sea temperature is
27.5° C
0.9° 

Kua Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Kua Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, WNW swell with 68 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s is also forecast. 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 0.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Wed 19th Aug)1ft (0.3m) 16s
Best Surf 5PM (Wed 19th Aug)1ft (0.3m) 16s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again. I’m going to give it to you straight—this is a rough one for the Kua Bay area. If you’re hoping for a real surf session over the next 16 days, you’re in for a long, dry spell. There’s no decent surf for the first ten days, and even when we finally get a little bump, it’s nothing to get excited about.

We kick off on Tuesday, August 18th with tiny, weak waves. Swell is just 1 foot from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds, but it’s messy with a cross-onshore wind. Energy is rock bottom (25), and it’s just poor. Wednesday the 19th is a touch bigger at 1 feet, and the afternoon actually turns glassy, with the energy picking up to 103—moderate energy for a moment. But the waves are still barely surfable, and there’s just no push.

Thursday the 20th through Monday the 24th is a frustrating mix of tiny, weak swell and poor conditions. We get a few glassy moments—Saturday morning the 22nd is glassy, with a 1-foot, 15-second period swell, but the energy is low (70) and the waves are still poor. That long period (15 seconds) is a groundswell, which would be better on a point or reef, but there’s just not enough size to make it count.

Then from Tuesday, August 25th right through to Friday, August 28th, the swell drops out completely. Flat. Zero energy. Nothing to ride. That’s a painful stretch of days with no surf at all. The winds are mostly light or clean, but there’s simply no wave.

The one brief glimmer comes on Friday morning, August 28th. Glassy conditions, a tiny 2-foot swell from the NE, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and energy is only 34. It’s still poor, and honestly, it’s only for the most desperate. Then it’s back to flat or near-flat through the end of the month and into September.

The best option in this whole dreary period is probably Wednesday afternoon, August 19th. The swell is only 1 feet from the WNW, but the wind is glassy, and the energy hits 103—the only time we see moderate energy. It’s small, it’s weak, but at least it’s clean. For a beginner who just wants to stand up on a foamie, maybe it’s a go. But for anyone else? It’s a frustrating wait.

The water temperature here is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.

Honestly, this is a classic case of a blank run. It’s normal for this region to have long gaps with no surf. Forecasts can change, but right now, the only thing that’s consistent is the lack of waves. If you’re a kite surfer, the light winds aren’t even interesting for you.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.3
SW
16
0.3
SW
16
0.3
SW
18
0.3
SW
17
0.3
W
11
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.5
WNW
10
0.3
SW
15
0.3
WNW
10
0.8
NNE
6
0.6
NE
7
0.1
W
9
0.6
ENE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
25
25
33
48
42
41
49
47
20
36
33
56
54
52
59
45
20
44
0
2
0
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
W
0
ESE
10
W
5
NW
5
SW
10
W
5
WNW
10
SSW
15
NNW
10
SW
5
NNW
5
W
5
WSW
5
S
5
W
5
WNW
5
N
5
NW
10
SSW
10
S
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:16AM0.61m
6:42PM0.41m
9:26AM0.61m
10:49AM0.62m
12:03PM0.64m
11:29PM0.26m
12:58PM0.68m
00:53AM0.29m
1:40PM0.72m
1:39AM0.32m
2:15PM0.76m
2:16AM0.36m
Low Tide
2:41PM0.35m
1:28AM0.14m
2:09AM0.16m
3:15AM0.18m
8:38PM0.25m
8:45PM0.21m
5:58AM0.15m
9:01PM0.18m
6:54AM0.12m
9:20PM0.16m
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:50
6:49
6:49
6:47
6:46
6:45
6:45
 mm
1
1
Temp °C
26
26
26
27
28
26
27
27
27
28
28
26
28
28
27
28
28
27
28
28
27
Feels °C
29
28
31
30
31
31
31
31
32
30
30
29
31
31
31
31
31
31
32
32
31
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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