
Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, WSW swell with 1,065 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period with NW 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m 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 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 9.0m 15s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's coming up for the stretch of coast around Polihale.
Alright, let's be real. The first week or so is a bit of a write-off. We're looking at a whole lot of nothing. From Thursday the 3rd through to the 7th, it's basically flat. The odd tiny swell pops up, but it's all under 1ft and not worth paddling out for. You'll spend more time sitting on your board than actually surfing. It's a tough start.
Now, there's a flicker of hope on Tuesday the 8th. The morning sees a bump in swell to 6ft from the NW, but it's got a short period of 9 seconds and the combined energy is strong (512). The wind is cross-off, so it'll be clean, but that size with a short period is going to be a bit of a washing machine. The afternoon settles down to 4ft from the NW, period drops to 8 seconds, and the energy is still moderate (256). It's a surfable option, but it's nothing to write home about. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is bang on average for this time of year.
Wednesday the 9th is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is glassy with a tiny 3ft NW swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the energy is weak (77). It's ordinary. The afternoon is a bit better with a 3ft NNW swell, a 10-second period, and moderate energy (192), but it's still just 'surfable'.
Then we get another dry spell. The 10th, 11th, and 12th are all close to flat again. The 13th and 14th offer a few tiny, ordinary waves, but nothing that gets the heart pumping.
The real standout, the one that's worth waiting for, is Tuesday the 15th of September. The morning session is looking good. We've got a clean 3ft swell from the NNW, but the key here is the period. It's a solid 14 seconds, which is a proper long-period groundswell. The combined energy is strong (372). With a light cross-off wind from the ENE, it's going to be clean and have some real push. This is the best bet in the whole outlook. The afternoon holds similar size at 3ft, also from the NNW with a 14-second period, and even more energy (417), but the wind swings to a light cross, which might put a tiny bit of texture on the face. Morning is the pick.
Wednesday the 16th keeps the window open with a 3ft NNW swell, 12-second period, and moderate energy (220), again with a clean cross-off wind. It's a good follow-up, but that Tuesday morning is the one to circle on the calendar. After that, the swell fades out towards the end of the week.
To sum it up: suffer through the first week, then get ready for a proper session on the morning of Tuesday the 15th. The swell direction matches the optimum for the spot, the period is long, and the wind is clean. That's your window.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Mon night, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NNE 11 | S 12 | NNE 9 | N 8 | ENE 13 | N 10 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 13 | WSW 10 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 29 | 44 | 1065 | 379 | 396 | 205 | 109 | 93 | 118 | |
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-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:54AM0.60m | 11:59AM0.64m | 10:52PM0.20m | 12:49PM0.67m | 00:26AM0.24m | 1:31PM0.68m | 1:22AM0.29m | 2:07PM0.68m | 2:09AM0.35m | 2:39PM0.65m | 2:52AM0.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:24AM0.09m | 2:52AM0.10m | 8:55PM0.19m | 8:38PM0.18m | 5:45AM0.08m | 8:48PM0.16m | 6:48AM0.08m | 9:04PM0.15m | 7:42AM0.09m | 9:21PM0.13m | |||||||||
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
6:53 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 1 | 11 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | ENE 14 | ENE 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WSW 10 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 |
130 | 178 | 195 | 371 | 496 | 620 | 1122 | 1041 | 1229 | 1800 | 4263 | 15634 | 1065 | 857 | 608 | 284 | 113 | 93 | 118 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | SSW 18 | S 12 | SSW 13 | N 10 | ENE 12 | NW 14 | NW 13 | ENE 12 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
74 | 199 | 167 | 407 | 465 | 61 | 679 | 980 | 8 | 1090 | 29 | 44 | 1252 | 379 | 396 | 205 | 109 | 103 | 81 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSW 13 | E 15 | NNE 11 | SSW 18 | NNE 9 | N 8 | SSW 20 | NW 9 | NW 15 | — | — | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
54 | 59 | 74 | 12 | 61 | 17 | 6 | 76 | 3 | 9 | — | — | 370 | 408 | 210 | 108 | 261 | 187 | 135 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 13 | — | — | ENE 12 | E 12 | ENE 7 | E 9 | SSW 11 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
249 | 249 | 249 | 228 | 204 | 1106 | — | — | 920 | 1392 | 657 | 2217 | 2973 | 421 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 162 | 275 | 294 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
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









