Polihale Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. The surf forecast for Polihale is a real slow starter, but it builds to something special in the second week.

Right now, the ocean is flat. We’re looking at a stretch from the start of the period all the way through to the 8th of August with next to nothing rideable. The water is sitting at 81°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first few days are mostly glassy or cross-off winds, but without any swell, it’s just a nice day for a swim.

We finally get a pulse on the 9th of August heading into the afternoon. A tiny 2ft western swell shows up with a period of 11 seconds. The combined wave energy is weak at 71 (moderate energy). It’s surfable but very ordinary – clean from the cross-off breeze, but nothing to get excited about. The 11th of August sees a bit more life in the afternoon with a 1ft, 14-second groundswell from the WNW, pushing moderate energy to 134. It’s still just surfable, not a standout.

Now, the real story starts Thursday the 13th of August. The charts are lighting up. A solid 2ft swell from the WNW with a very long period of 17 seconds rolls in. That’s proper groundswell, meaning better shaped waves and more energy between sets. The combined energy jumps to 293 (strong). The wind is light and offshore, making for clean, glassy conditions. For a sandbar break like Polihale, that long period can make it a little tricky – it might wall up and break a bit too straight – but with the swell size and wind, it’s the best we’ve seen.

The standout window looks to be from Friday the 14th right through Sunday the 16th. Swell builds to 3ft-3ft, still from the WNW, with periods holding in the 15-16 second range. The energy is strong, hitting 346 on the 14th and peaking at 395 on the 15th. Winds stay cross-off from the east, keeping the surface clean. This is the pick of the forecast. It’s not giant, but it’s quality and consistent. The best session looks like Saturday the 15th morning – 3ft at 15 seconds from the WNW, with that clean east cross-off breeze. The break is fairly consistent, so you’ll get your share, but the crowds here can be “sometimes” an issue, so get out early.

The swell carries through to the 18th, holding around 3ft to 4ft from the west with a shorter period (12-13 seconds). The energy is still strong (over 300), but the wind picks up to a gentle breeze, so it’s not as pristine as the earlier days. Still, it’s a fun end to the run.

No other breaks in the area are showing up, so Polihale is the only game in town. It’s a long wait, but when it turns on around the 13th, it’s worth it.

Rusty.

Read more