
Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, NE swell with 34 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 0.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 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 1.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk Kua Bay.
The next 16 days look pretty flat and quiet. From Monday the 20th of July all the way through to the end of the month, you’re looking at a long stretch of nothing. Water temp is 80°, about average for the season, so it feels normal for a swim.
Most afternoons are glassy, and the wind is light, but the swell is just not there. The combined wave energy is basically zero most days. Tiny waves from the NW and W, but all under 1 foot. It’s a longboard and paddleboard kind of scene, if that.
The first real whisper of something comes on Friday the 31st of July. We get a small bump from the WSW, 10-second period, with the combined energy creeping up to 19. The winds will be light cross-shore, so it’ll be clean but tiny. You might find a waist-high wave if you’re patient.
The absolute best on offer is Saturday the 1st of August. Morning sees a 1ft swell from the W, with period around 9 seconds. The combined energy hits 28, which is the highest it gets in the whole run. Winds are light cross-onshore, but it’s still the most structured it’ll be. It’s small, but for a log or a foamie, you could have a slow, fun session on some crumbly walls.
Honestly, if you’re hanging for a wave, the 31st of July and the 1st of August are your only real shots. Keep expectations low.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 11 | NE 7 | SSW 26 | NNE 5 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SSW 18 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 7:48PM0.48m | 10:31AM0.59m | 8:18PM0.40m | 11:39AM0.63m | 9:15PM0.33m | 12:37PM0.67m | 11:22PM0.29m | 1:25PM0.71m | 00:50AM0.29m | 2:06PM0.75m | 1:45AM0.30m | 2:43PM0.78m | 2:27AM0.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:59PM0.36m | 2:49AM0.12m | 5:16PM0.38m | 3:30AM0.14m | 7:54PM0.33m | 4:20AM0.14m | 8:43PM0.28m | 5:20AM0.14m | 9:10PM0.23m | 6:17AM0.12m | 9:35PM0.20m | 7:07AM0.10m | 9:59PM0.18m | |||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 5 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | SSW 20 | NNE 8 | SSW 18 | NNE 8 | SSW 16 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
66 | 42 | 31 | 54 | 38 | 12 | 42 | 18 | 33 | 64 | 43 | 49 | 78 | 76 | 106 | 102 | 100 | 86 | 119 | 95 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | NE 5 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 11 | SSW 18 | E 16 | SSW 16 | ENE 16 |
13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 55 | 106 | 7 | 78 | 75 | 66 | 61 | 59 | 25 | 51 | 10 | 102 | 46 | 84 | 80 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 26 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 22 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 21 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | E 17 | E 17 | S 10 | E 16 | SSW 16 |
11 | 17 | 9 | 26 | 65 | 25 | 30 | 91 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 16 | 45 | 27 | 37 | 23 | 22 | 2 | 45 | 48 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | — | NNE 8 | — | NNE 8 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 84 | — | 136 | — | 126 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 14 | 98 | 103 | 30 | 30 | 100 | 96 | 100 | 101 | 14 | 100 | 101 | 4 | 100 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 4 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










