Surf Forecasts:
Kua Bay surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with 109 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 0.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kua Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty again, switching to feet and degrees Fahrenheit for the crew that thinks that way.
Right off the bat, the forecast is pretty darn quiet. For the first week and a half, there’s barely a ripple. The energy is basically nil, with combined swell readings sitting well under 100 (22) on the best early days, and often at zero. It’s a flat spell that stretches from now all the way through around September 18th. There’s nothing worth paddling out for seriously until then, so save your wax.
Finally, on Friday, September 18th, we see a little pulse of life. A moderate wave energy reading of 107 from a southwest swell, pushing 1ft. The wind is light and cross-onshore that morning, but the period is a long 17 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, with some real push for its size. Kua Bay is exposed to WNW swell direction, and this SW pulse might not wrap in perfectly, but it’s the best we’ve seen. The water is sitting at 82°F, which is about normal for this time of year. For a break that’s fairly consistent, this long wait is unusual, but that’s the hand we’re dealt. This Friday morning is the one to keep an eye on if you’re desperate for a slide.
After that, the swell backs off again into the next week. The rest of the outlook is a mix of tiny bumps and glassy mornings, but nothing with enough grunt to get excited about. Thursday, September 24th has a bit of WNW swell around 1ft, but it’s still small and the energy is weak.
Bottom line: if you're not flexible, don't hold your breath. Target that Friday the 18th, and hope for the best.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 7 | W 6 | NE 7 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NE 9 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 22 | 11 | 0 | 42 | 49 | 0 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:55PM0.80m | 3:19AM0.56m | 3:28PM0.76m | 3:57AM0.62m | 4:00PM0.70m | 4:35AM0.67m | 4:29PM0.63m | 5:12AM0.70m | 4:56PM0.55m | 5:50AM0.70m | 5:21PM0.47m | 6:31AM0.69m | 5:43PM0.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:14AM0.08m | 9:31PM0.07m | 9:04AM0.09m | 9:55PM0.06m | 9:51AM0.11m | 10:19PM0.05m | 10:36AM0.14m | 10:41PM0.06m | 11:23AM0.19m | 11:04PM0.07m | 12:12PM0.23m | 11:26PM0.09m | 1:09PM0.27m | 11:50PM0.11m | |||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | — | — | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 4 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 44 | 55 | 49 | 67 | 55 | 12 | 26 | 51 | 37 | 43 | 64 | 65 | 79 | 49 | 62 | 61 | 45 | 55 | 37 | 48 | 36 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | NE 4 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | NE 5 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 22 | 11 | 33 | 42 | 49 | 67 | 4 | 57 | 57 | 49 | 29 | 29 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 8 | 46 | 45 | 98 | 96 | 94 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NNE 8 | SW 10 | SW 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | WSW 8 | WNW 11 | SSW 15 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 13 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 |
| kJ | 14 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 21 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 97 | 100 | 100 | 4 | 4 | 98 | 30 | 39 | 39 | 24 | 20 | 98 | 4 | 14 | 98 | 96 | 14 | 98 | 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.
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