
Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, NE swell with 439 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s 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 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
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 on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, it's flat. There's a big gap of nothing at the start here. The first real chance for a wave kicks off on Saturday the 25th, but it's not much to write home about.
Our only real option through this whole period is Polihale (Kauai). The first bit of swell arrives Saturday afternoon, the 25th, with a 6ft swell out of the NE at a short 8 seconds. The energy is moderate (381), and the wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze, so it'll be clean enough. But that short period means the waves will be a bit weak and lumpy. This is really the best of a pretty average bunch, but it's not a standout.
From Sunday the 26th right through to Tuesday the 29th, we're back to tiny, ordinary surf. You'll see chest-high waves on the 27th (5ft) and 28th (3ft), but with a short period and a very high wind state, it's all just a bit of a chore. The energy is dropping off, too.
The next little pulse shows up on Thursday the 30th. The afternoon looks glassy—zero wind, which is a major positive for clean conditions. But the swell is only 4ft from the NNE, with a short period (7 seconds) and weak energy (136). Fun for a log, but that's about it.
After that, it's a long, slow decline into flatness. The first week of August is a write-off. We get a tiny bit of long-period energy on the 6th and 7th—a 2ft swell at 15 seconds, and then a 3ft swell at 15 seconds. That's a very long period groundswell, which is notable, but the size is just too small to do anything with. The energy on the 7th is moderate (316), but it's a marginal forecast. That long period will make it break very straight on a beach setup like Polihale.
Water temp is sitting at a normal 80°F for the time of year, so no worries there.
Bottom line: There's no standout session in this 16-day window. The best you can hope for is a clean, glassy afternoon on the 30th with a longboard, or a slightly punchier but messy afternoon on the 25th. It's a pretty quiet stretch—sometimes it goes like this. Forecasts can change, but for now, keep the board waxed and be patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | SSW 19 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 381 | 353 | 0 | 0 | 276 | 199 | 171 | 121 | 155 | 193 | 114 | 136 | 103 | 129 | |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 12:56PM0.58m | 1:34PM0.62m | 2:09PM0.64m | 00:30AM0.22m | 2:42PM0.66m | 1:22AM0.23m | 3:12PM0.68m | 2:05AM0.25m | 3:41PM0.68m | 2:46AM0.27m | 4:08PM0.68m | 3:29AM0.29m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:54AM0.10m | 5:47AM0.08m | 10:24PM0.22m | 6:34AM0.06m | 10:30PM0.21m | 7:16AM0.04m | 10:44PM0.20m | 7:55AM0.04m | 11:01PM0.20m | 8:31AM0.04m | 11:18PM0.19m | ||||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | ENE 7 | S 12 | SSW 17 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | NE 8 | NE 7 | E 14 | NE 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 |
420 | 301 | 176 | 148 | 237 | 143 | 388 | 595 | 516 | 367 | 341 | 276 | 199 | 384 | 121 | 434 | 347 | 403 | 418 | 332 | 328 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | S 11 | E 13 | E 15 | E 14 | SSW 16 | E 14 | SSW 15 | E 13 | NE 9 | S 13 | NNE 8 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 |
103 | 92 | 348 | 249 | 103 | 208 | 502 | 41 | 54 | 68 | 146 | 337 | 289 | 222 | 336 | 155 | 92 | 114 | 206 | 203 | 179 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 12 | S 11 | ENE 10 | S 21 | S 21 | SSW 16 | E 14 | S 11 | E 12 | S 11 | E 14 | SSW 15 | S 10 | S 14 | S 14 | S 16 | S 14 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 |
101 | 99 | 56 | 35 | 229 | 314 | 144 | 34 | 21 | 26 | 20 | 257 | 228 | 7 | 203 | 132 | 46 | 140 | 17 | 15 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 7 | E 7 | — | NE 9 | — | NNE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 |
171 | 153 | — | 256 | 263 | 160 | — | 381 | 353 | 330 | 271 | 126 | 78 | 171 | 53 | — | 193 | — | 136 | 103 | 129 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 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









