
Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 21s period, SW swell with 220 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with NE 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Polihale in the next 16 days are 0.5m 21s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Polihale over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – the first week is pretty flat and quiet, so don’t get your hopes up too early. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak waves and mostly ordinary conditions until things finally start waking up toward the end of the forecast window.
Overall Pattern:
The first recommendation comes in on Sunday, September 13th, with a small, knee-high swell. For the next week or so, it’s mostly tiny waves – often below 3 ft – with weak energy readings. The combined swell energy sits between 37 and 216 (moderate at best), but the quality is just “surfable but ordinary” or flat-out poor for most of that time. There’s a real gap from about Wednesday the 16th through to the following Wednesday the 23rd where there’s hardly any surf worth paddling out for. The water temperature at Polihale is a warm 80°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – no surprises there.
The First Week (Sept 13–19):
Sunday morning the 13th is your only real chance early on – small 3 ft NE swell with a 9-second period, cross-off wind from the east at 3 mph, and clean conditions. Energy is weak at 129. It’s not gonna blow your mind, but it’s surfable. After that, Monday the 14th morning looks *glassy* with 3 ft NE swell, same 8-second period – that’s about as good as it gets for the first few days. Tuesday the 15th holds a bit of hope with 3 ft NE swell in the afternoon and clean conditions. But by Wednesday the 16th it’s fading fast – period drops to 6 seconds and energy plummets. Thursday the 17th morning pushes 5 ft NE swell (moderate energy at 216), but it’s a crosswind with short 7-second period – not great shape. From Thursday afternoon through the rest of the week it’s mostly flat or messy with weak, short-period pulses.
The Gap (Sept 20–25):
There’s a real dry spell here. From Sunday the 20th through to Thursday the 24th, swell heights barely hit 2 ft or 2 ft, with energy mostly under 100. The period is short or mixed, and wind is cross-off most of the time. It’s honestly a kite-surfing setup, not a paddle-surfing one – small, weak, and blown-out. Friday the 25th morning sees a tiny 2 ft N swell with 10-second period and energy at 92 – still very ordinary, and rain showers spoil the afternoon.
The Turnaround (Sept 26–28):
Now this is where it gets interesting. Saturday the 26th brings a 1 ft WNW swell but with a *very long* 19-second period – that’s groundswell with serious energy (192). It’s small in height, but that long period means clean lines at this sandbar, especially with light ENE winds. Sunday the 27th is the standout: 3 ft WNW swell, 17-second period, and combined energy jumping to 340 (strong!). Winds are light cross-off, and conditions are clean. This is the best on offer – a proper long-period groundswell hitting Polihale’s exposed NW sandbar. It’ll be clean, with good shape and decent power for the size. This is the one to target. Monday the 28th morning is also a beauty – 2 ft NW swell, 14-second period, glassy conditions with NE wind at 3 mph, and energy at 201. Afternoon holds 3 ft WNW swell with 13-second period and glassy conditions again. That’s a solid couple of days right there.
Crowds & Consistency:
Polihale can get crowded sometimes, so expect company if the surf turns on. It’s fairly consistent as a spot, but this long-period swell is best for the sandbar – it might break a bit straight at times, but with that period and clean wind, it should offer some nice lines.
Sign-Off:
So, the bottom line: don’t bother with the first week unless you’re desperate for a splash. The real action is from Saturday the 26th through Monday the 28th – that’s your window. The long-period groundswell and glassy mornings are what dreams are made of. Stay patient, and you’ll be rewarded.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | WNW 10 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
129 | 112 | 149 | 120 | 82 | 69 | 65 | 119 | 94 | 37 | 101 | 149 | 216 | 0 | 100 | 9 | 45 | 51 | 35 | 21 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:12PM0.42m | 5:42AM0.55m | 4:21PM0.37m | 6:31AM0.55m | 4:06PM0.33m | 7:32AM0.53m | 8:53AM0.52m | 10:22AM0.53m | 11:29AM0.54m | 11:14PM0.20m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:04AM0.24m | 10:33PM0.09m | 12:04PM0.28m | 10:52PM0.10m | 1:33PM0.31m | 11:13PM0.11m | 11:36PM0.12m | 00:08AM0.14m | 1:19AM0.16m | 8:57PM0.20m | |||||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 19 | NE 8 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | E 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | ENE 8 |
129 | 112 | 149 | 120 | 82 | 69 | 65 | 251 | 94 | 273 | 316 | 190 | 73 | 94 | 100 | 459 | 427 | 219 | 263 | 273 | 238 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | E 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 12 | SSW 19 | NNE 7 | E 10 | SSW 21 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | WNW 10 | NNE 6 | SSW 16 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | SSW 16 |
27 | 41 | 51 | 49 | 119 | 117 | 256 | 29 | 246 | 37 | 33 | 86 | 169 | 171 | 491 | 9 | 45 | 326 | 35 | 21 | 269 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 12 | SSW 23 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | NW 11 | W 9 | NW 9 | NNE 7 | SSW 18 | S 18 | SSW 14 |
54 | 54 | 14 | 54 | 37 | 34 | 31 | 26 | 22 | 37 | 12 | 19 | 149 | 148 | 19 | 2 | 13 | 51 | 108 | 160 | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | — | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — |
— | — | — | 6 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 119 | — | 34 | 101 | 149 | 216 | 297 | 327 | 443 | 283 | 329 | 219 | 219 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 162 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaua'i | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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









