Kawaihae is a surf spot located in the historical town of Kawaihae, tucked under the northwest corner of the Big Island. It’s accessible and can be a fun place to catch some waves during both the winter and summer months. This spot is known for its right and left breaks, where the WNW to N swells travel along the northwest coast and hit the breakwater, creating decent right-handers. However, the left tends to empty into the boat channel, making it not as appealing as the right.

The surf here can handle swell sizes from about 4ft to 7ft (1.2m to 2.1m). The best swell directions are from the SouthWest, WestSouthWest, West, and WestNorthWest. The bottom is made up of lava, rock, and coral, so be aware of that when you’re out there. The winds are typically calm or offshore from an easterly direction, with mornings usually offering the best conditions before an afternoon seabreeze kicks in. The tide is best at low to mid or mid to high, while this spot is suitable for surfers of various skill levels, including beginners, intermediate, and expert surfers.

Getting to Kawaihae is easy with parking available at the Kawaihae Cultural Surf Park right by the breakwater. The crowd factor can vary based on the quality of the surf, so it’s hit or miss when it comes to how busy the spot gets. The local vibe is generally friendly, so just be cool and respect the lineup. This spot is accessible year-round, with winter bringing N to WNW swells and summer offering SSW-SW swells. Whether you prefer shortboards, funboards, longboards, fish, bodyboards, or even SUPs, Kawaihae has something for you.