Polihale Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s get stuck into what we’ve got on the radar. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of windows that look like they’ll be worth the paddle out.

The first real chance to wet a line comes around Saturday the 11th. We’ve been staring at tiny dribble for days, with Wednesday and Thursday barely offering a ripple, and Friday only giving us surfable but ordinary conditions. Wednesday morning the 8th was dead flat with just 0.3 ft of swell – a proper write-off. That changes Saturday afternoon though when a nice pulse of long-period groundswell starts to show. We’re looking at 2 ft from the SW with a period of 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, the kind that wraps around and draws lines. The combined swell energy hits a moderate 206, and with a light breeze keeping things clean, Polihale (Kauai) should be worth a look. That deep period will set up nicely on the sandbar, but it might be a little too lined-up for a beach break, so keep your eyes open for the sets. The water temp is a comfortable 78°, right about where you’d expect for this time of year.

Sunday the 12th morning keeps that good window open. Another 2 ft from the SW, period still a long 16 seconds, and the energy bumps up to 255. Still a light breeze, still clean – this could be the better of the two days. Steady, consistent lines rolling in with manageable size.

After that, things get a bit more ordinary through the week. Monday the 13th has a bit of size in the morning with 5 ft from the NE, but the period drops to 8 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit junky and disorganised. Not one to get excited about. The combined energy is moderate at 400, but that short period will make it feel weaker.

The standout of the whole run, no question, is Wednesday the 15th morning. 3 ft from the west, with a period of 16 seconds, combined energy at a strong 579, and a light offshore breeze from the ENE. That’s clean, that’s powerful, and it’s lining up beautifully on the sandbar. This is the one you want to plan around. Thursday the 16th holds similar size and direction, with energy still in the 400 range, so that’s a great backup.

From Friday the 17th onwards, the energy starts to fade and the winds pick up a bit, making things more marginal. The weekend of the 19th and 20th turns glassy in the mornings, but the swell drops right off, leaving tiny waves at best. By the 21st we’re looking at flat spells again, and through to the 23rd there’s barely anything to bother with – just a small pulse on the 22nd from the SW, but nothing worth getting wet for.

Crowds at Polihale can come and go, but with the size we’re looking at, it won’t be packed – more of a pick-up session with the crew that knows.

Rusty.

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