Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NE swell with 70 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Polihale this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Polihale in the next 16 days are 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. Right now, and for the next several days, things are looking pretty flat and quiet at Polihale. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf from the 29th of August all the way through the 4th of September—just tiny dribbles and no real energy. There’s a solid gap of about a week where you’re better off doing something else.
Then, on the 5th of September, Saturday morning, things start to wake up a little. We get a small 3 ft swell from the NNE with a short period of 6 seconds, and the wind goes glassy—dead calm. The combined energy is weak (80), so it’s not going to be anything special, but at least it’s clean and rideable for a quiet session. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
Through the 6th and 7th, it stays small and inconsistent, with a bit more energy on the 7th morning (136, moderate) from the NE at 4 ft, but still very ordinary. Then we hit another flat spell from the 8th to the 10th.
Now, the real standout is Friday, the 11th of September. That morning, we’ve got a proper groundswell rolling in from the west at 5 ft, with a very long period of 18 seconds. The wind is glassy and the surf is clean. The combined energy is a massive 1504 (strong to very strong). That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers—the kind of day that gets you out of bed early. The swell direction is NW optimum, and this west swell lines up nicely. Because it’s such a long period, it’s going to wrap well around Polihale’s sandbar setup, but beach breaks might get a bit straight. Still, for a point or reef, this is magic.
Saturday the 12th keeps it going with a 5 ft west swell, period dropping to 16 seconds, still glassy in the morning, energy at 1145 (strong). Sunday the 13th is a bit smaller at 4 ft but still clean and glassy, with a 14-second period and energy at 603 (moderate). Conditions are very good right through the weekend.
So, if you’re after the best of the next two weeks, aim for the 11th through the 13th of September. That’s the window. The rest is mostly flat or tiny.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 6 | S 13 | S 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | W 12 | W 11 | ENE 8 | W 10 | S 16 | S 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 4:09AM0.43m | 4:09PM0.55m | 4:54AM0.47m | 4:28PM0.49m | 5:44AM0.50m | 4:43PM0.43m | 6:43AM0.52m | 4:48PM0.38m | 7:57AM0.54m | 9:28AM0.57m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:23PM0.14m | 9:48AM0.16m | 10:41PM0.12m | 10:36AM0.21m | 11:00PM0.10m | 11:32AM0.27m | 11:23PM0.09m | 12:52PM0.32m | 11:51PM0.08m | 00:29AM0.08m | 1:24AM0.09m | ||||||||
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
6:59 | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | ENE 8 | S 16 | S 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
236 | 168 | 162 | 105 | 69 | 69 | 222 | 279 | 229 | 310 | 337 | 329 | 334 | 339 | 326 | 247 | 226 | 186 | 131 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | S 10 | S 12 | S 17 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
19 | 89 | 87 | 73 | 100 | 97 | 126 | 123 | 118 | 273 | 30 | 44 | 293 | 33 | 42 | 279 | 206 | 192 | 130 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | E 12 | E 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | W 12 | W 11 | S 10 | W 10 | E 13 | S 11 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 |
66 | 62 | 75 | 111 | 44 | 39 | 66 | 37 | 56 | 52 | 25 | 10 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 37 | 54 | 54 | 74 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — |
84 | 97 | 129 | 236 | 220 | 228 | — | — | — | — | 330 | 318 | — | 334 | 285 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 8 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaua'i | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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










