
Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, W swell with 338 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with W 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Polihale in the next 16 days are 0.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the chatter and get to what matters for the next couple of weeks at Polihale.
We’ve got a real mixed bag on the horizon. The first few days are actually looking pretty sweet, with a nice consistent groundswell and glassy conditions. That’s the standout window. But then it goes very quiet for a long stretch, before a big, late-breaking pulse shows up way down the line. Let’s run through it.
The action starts Thursday, July 16th. We’ve got a lovely, long-period W swell rolling in at 3 ft with a 14-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is a solid moderate 437. The wind is glassy, near calm, with a touch of cloud cover. For a sandbar break like this, that long period can sometimes make things a bit straight, but with the swell height being modest, it should be peeling nicely. Water temp is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. Friday the 17th is a carbon copy, maybe a pinch smaller at 2 ft, but still with that same 14-second period and clean, offshore/glass conditions. Saturday the 18th morning is a real drop-off, with a tiny 2 ft NNE windswell and very weak energy (29). The afternoon sees a bit of a pulse from the W, but it’s only 2 ft and the energy is still low (121). After that, it’s a long, flat grind. From Sunday the 19th all the way through to Tuesday the 28th of July, the recommendations are almost non-existent. We’re talking about a solid 9-day stretch where the swell is tiny, often non-existent, or just junk. There are a few sporadic 2 ft to 3 ft waves, but the period is short, and the energy is weak. It’s a real dead zone.
Now, the big one. On Wednesday, July 29th, we get a late-breaking bomb. The morning shows a solid 10 ft NE swell with a respectable 11-second period. The combined energy is a massive 2274, which is very strong. The wind is glassy, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the only standout in the second week, and it’s only for the brave. 10 ft at a sandbar like Polihale is a serious, expert-only wave. The afternoon settles back down to a lumpy 5 ft. The rest of the month trails off into nothing.
So, the best bet is hands-down the first window: Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th of July. The swell is clean, the period is long, and the wind is a dream. The later standout on the 29th is a monster that only the gnarliest crew should be looking at. And keep in mind, Polihale can get crowded sometimes, so get out there early for the good ones.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | NNE 7 | W 13 | WNW 12 | NNE 7 | WNW 12 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | WNW 11 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 13 | NE 7 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
338 | 268 | 261 | 192 | 184 | 126 | 29 | 86 | 49 | 49 | 48 | 51 | 37 | 24 | 47 | 69 | 79 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:30PM0.69m | 5:41AM0.31m | 5:59PM0.62m | 6:53AM0.34m | 6:24PM0.54m | 8:17AM0.39m | 6:40PM0.47m | 9:50AM0.44m | 6:35PM0.40m | 11:12AM0.49m | 12:10PM0.54m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:01AM0.07m | 00:44AM0.15m | 10:48AM0.14m | 1:11AM0.14m | 11:40AM0.23m | 1:39AM0.13m | 12:46PM0.31m | 2:06AM0.13m | 2:47PM0.37m | 2:37AM0.12m | 3:14AM0.12m | 4:01AM0.11m | |||||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | W 14 | W 14 | SSW 14 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | S 13 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SSW 11 | E 8 | S 15 | S 14 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | E 13 | S 13 |
99 | 91 | 103 | 192 | 184 | 154 | 73 | 158 | 24 | 48 | 86 | 51 | 37 | 37 | 55 | 208 | 191 | 99 | 53 | 123 | 155 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | NNE 7 | SSW 16 | NNE 7 | SSW 14 | NNE 8 | SSW 12 | S 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 16 | SSE 15 | E 8 | E 16 | S 13 | E 14 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 |
338 | 268 | 261 | 46 | 142 | 42 | 149 | 35 | 48 | 77 | 48 | 23 | 40 | 82 | 77 | 18 | 124 | 199 | 175 | 429 | 366 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | NNE 8 | W 13 | NNE 7 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | S 19 | S 13 | S 16 | WNW 11 | SSW 10 | E 17 | E 7 | E 15 | S 11 | S 10 | E 13 |
66 | 66 | 133 | 56 | 33 | 126 | 29 | 86 | 49 | 49 | 64 | 31 | 85 | 24 | 35 | 92 | 26 | 150 | 83 | 80 | 121 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 7 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 6 | E 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
— | 113 | 76 | 70 | 85 | 73 | 53 | 92 | 173 | 153 | 183 | 105 | 100 | 138 | 47 | 69 | 79 | — | 57 | 93 | 68 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 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









