Overview

Kiholo Bay is a remote and pristine bay on the Kohala Coast of northwest Big Island. This spot offers a spectacular setting with crystal-clear turquoise waters against a backdrop of black volcanic lava rock. Trade winds are accelerated through the corridor between Mauna Kea and Hualalai, creating reliable afternoon thermal conditions. The bay is relatively sheltered from open ocean swells, providing manageable water for intermediate riders. Access is via a 1.5 km hiking trail from Highway 19 — there is no direct road access.

Suggest an edit

Spot forecast for Kiholo Bay / Big Island

Sunrise 06:20 · Sunset 17:56

Open-Meteo

Premium weather models. Get the professional models (ECMWF, GFS, ICON, MeteoSwiss…) and a 16-day forecast. Without a subscription: Open-Meteo over 5 days.

Go Premium

< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

Go Premium

Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 8.1 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October Low tide 03:16 · 0.3 m High tide 11:14 · 0.6 m Low tide 18:41 · 0.2 m
Tuesday 20 October High tide 00:32 · 0.4 m Low tide 04:52 · 0.3 m High tide 11:59 · 0.6 m Low tide 18:59 · 0.2 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:03 · 0.4 m Low tide 06:05 · 0.3 m High tide 12:35 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:17 · 0.1 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:32 · 0.5 m Low tide 07:05 · 0.2 m High tide 13:08 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:35 · 0.1 m
Friday 23 October High tide 02:01 · 0.6 m Low tide 07:58 · 0.2 m High tide 13:41 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:56 · 0.1 m

Kiholo Bay / Big Island: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

31h

in February · 5 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are February, May and July, at 3 rideable days and 26 °C. The low point is April, at 0.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 99%13-20 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 99% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is February, at 24 °C. The wettest month is January, with 44 mm.

Monthly averages: Kiholo Bay / Big Island

Monthly averages — Kiholo Bay / Big Island — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	2.0	8 h	25 °C	44 mm
February	5.0	31 h	24 °C	0 mm
March	1.0	5 h	25 °C	4 mm
April	0.5	2 h	25 °C	12 mm
May	2.5	6 h	26 °C	4 mm
June	1.0	6 h	26 °C	1 mm
July	2.5	11 h	27 °C	1 mm
August	2.0	7 h	27 °C	29 mm
September	0.5	2 h	27 °C	2 mm
October	1.0	5 h	27 °C	4 mm
November	1.0	7 h	26 °C	6 mm
December	2.5	12 h	25 °C	1 mm

Photo gallery of Kiholo Bay / Big Island

This spot is waiting for its first images

Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.

Technical details of Kiholo Bay / Big Island spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Warm water year-round (24-27°C/75-80°F), no wetsuit needed — a lycra or rashguard is sufficient for sun protection. The bottom is a mix of sand, volcanic rock, and coral. The bay offers relatively flat water with light chop in strong winds. Green sea turtles (honu) are frequently present in the bay — maintain a respectful distance. Lateral currents can develop at the bay's opening.

Hazards

Shallow coral reef in some areas — wear reef booties. Sea urchins present on volcanic rocks. Protected sea turtles (honu) — legal distance required. Sharks (tiger sharks) occasionally reported along the Kohala Coast. Humpback whales from December to April — federal law requires 100 yards (90 m) distance. Remote access — no rescue services nearby, never sail alone. Sharp lava rocks along the shoreline.

Something out of date? Suggest an edit

Live

HELCO Queen Kaahumanu Hwy8.4 kmsource noaa

Readings reserved for Premium members

Live readings from HELCO Queen Kaahumanu Hwy weather station are reserved for Premium members.

Real-time readings
Last 48 hours history
Custom alerts
Extended weather forecasts

Discover Premium

Already a Premium member? Log in

Additional stations

KAUPULEHU LAVA FLOW5.8 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source noaa
HELCO Mamalahoa Hwy 28.2 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source noaa

All the details of your session on windtracker.app

Webcams near Kiholo Bay / Big Island

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Hawaii

Comments 0

No comments yet.

Log in to comment

Kiholo Bay / Big Island kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot