Polihale Surf Break

Lat Long: 22.09° N 159.75° W

Polihale Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Polihale sea temperature is
26.7° C
0.1° 

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


Polihale surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, WNW swell with 534 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Polihale this week:

The surf forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Polihale in the next 16 days are 1.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 20th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 5PM (Sat 22nd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sat 22nd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I'm looking at what we've got on the horizon for our local stretch. Honestly, it's a mixed bag, but there's a definite highlight coming up that you won't want to sleep on. You're looking at a bit of a slow start, but a solid weekend window is shaping up.

Right now through the rest of the week, it's pretty quiet. Thursday the 20th we've got a 3ft swell from the NE with a short, weak 7-second period and a cross-breeze, so surf is pretty poor. Friday the 21st drops off to a tiny 2ft from the west with a bit better 10-second period, but it's still just ordinary conditions. The real story starts to build on Saturday the 22nd.

Saturday morning is where it gets interesting. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the WNW, period jumps to 11 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. That’s a major plus – expect clean, glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate at 268, so there's some push. By Saturday afternoon, it gets even better. We're looking at 4ft from the WNW with a very long 13-second period, and offshore wind from the SE at 6 mph. The energy jumps significantly to 551. This is the standout of the whole outlook. Polihale is an exposed sandbar that gets the NW swell best, and this WNW swell at 4ft with those long intervals and offshore wind is going to produce some really fun, clean waves. It's rated for advanced surfers, so if you know what you're doing, that Saturday afternoon session is the one to aim for.

Sunday the 23rd holds in with a 4ft swell from the NW, 12-second period, and clean conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy is still a solid 309. It's good, but not quite as good as Saturday afternoon. The wind gets a bit stronger by Sunday afternoon, so morning will be your best bet. From Monday the 24th onward, the swell drops steadily. Monday has 3ft, Tuesday has 2ft, and then for a big stretch from Wednesday the 26th all the way through the end of the month, there's effectively no swell to speak of. We're looking at a long gap of flat, poor conditions.

The water temperature is sitting at 80°F, which is pretty average for this time of year.

So, bottom line: keep your powder dry for Saturday afternoon, August 22nd. That 4ft WNW groundswell with glassy-offshore conditions is the true standout. The rest of the week is forgettable, and the following week looks very quiet with a long flat spell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
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)
1
NE
7
0.6
W
11
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.7
W
10
1
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
13
1.1
WNW
12
1.1
NW
12
1
NW
12
1
NW
12
0.8
NW
11
0.7
NW
11
0.6
NW
11
0.6
NW
11
0.6
NW
11
0.6
NW
11
0.5
NW
10
0.5
NW
10
0.4
NW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
89
82
69
76
102
268
534
336
309
264
278
145
117
90
96
96
92
51
48
31
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
5
NE
10
SSE
5
S
5
NE
5
ESE
10
SE
15
E
10
ENE
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
ENE
5
NE
10
E
10
ENE
5
E
10
ENE
Wind State
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
12:23PM0.57m
1:05PM0.59m
11:49PM0.22m
1:40PM0.62m
00:48AM0.24m
2:10PM0.64m
1:30AM0.27m
2:37PM0.65m
2:08AM0.30m
3:02PM0.65m
2:47AM0.34m
Low Tide
2:53AM0.14m
4:19AM0.13m
9:37PM0.21m
5:28AM0.11m
9:26PM0.20m
6:20AM0.09m
9:31PM0.19m
7:04AM0.07m
9:41PM0.18m
7:45AM0.07m
9:54PM0.17m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:06
7:05
7:04
7:02
7:01
7:01
7:00
 mm
Temp °C
27
26
27
26
26
28
27
27
28
29
27
28
28
27
27
27
26
27
27
26
Feels °C
30
29
30
29
30
32
30
30
30
31
28
30
31
29
30
31
29
29
28
28
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  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Polihale Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Polihale provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Polihale can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Polihale 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 (Polihale) 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 Polihale 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.

Are you planning a vacation in Kaua'i? If you are looking for accommodation near Polihale, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in Kaua'i, consider staying in Nawiliwili which is 43 km (27 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Lihue - Kauai which is 45 km (28 miles) away

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