
Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, NE swell with 240 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Polihale in the next 16 days are 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 2PM. 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down for the imperial crew.
The next couple weeks are looking pretty slim, with a big gap of nothing worth chasing early on. Starting from the 14th of September through to about the 25th, we’ve got a whole lot of flatness and mediocrity. The first few days – Monday the 14th through Wednesday the 16th – are technically surfable with 3 ft of NE swell and glassy conditions, but the combined energy is only 139, which is weak, and the period is 8 seconds, so it’s just mushy and uninspiring.
From Wednesday afternoon the 16th onward, the swell vanishes and the wind turns bad, leaving us with blown-out dribble and zero recommendations. That’s over a week of nothing.
Then, around the 27th of September, we finally see a pulse. Sunday morning brings a 6 ft N swell with the combined energy jumping to 853 – that’s strong and punchy. The period is 10 seconds, so there’s some power there. The catch is the wind: cross-onshore from the north at 6 mph. It’s not a total write-off, but it’ll mess with the face. Polihale is an exposed sandbar on the west side (Kauai), so it’s wide open to that north swell. That 6 ft is pushing into advanced territory, so beginners should sit this one out. Crowds can pop up there, so keep your eyes open.
Monday the 28th drops back to around 4 ft but the energy stays high at 760. The period drops to 9 seconds, so it’s a little less clean. The wind is onshore from the NW at 6 mph, which is going to mess things up again.
Later on the 28th, a 15-second NW groundswell sneaks in, but it’s only about 2 ft and the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s more of a tease than anything. That long period would be better at a reef or point, but with the wind and size, it’s not worth the drive.
The real standout here is the early Sunday session on the 27th of September at Polihale. 6 ft of N swell with serious energy, but you’ll be dealing with that cross-onshore breeze. If the wind eases, it’s your best chance in two weeks. Otherwise, it’s a lot of waiting around.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 8 | SW 10 | ENE 7 | NNE 6 | WNW 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | SSW 16 | NNE 7 | W 12 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
139 | 115 | 69 | 125 | 131 | 110 | 89 | 91 | 100 | 15 | 0 | 100 | 9 | 44 | 47 | 35 | 23 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 11 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:21PM0.37m | 6:31AM0.55m | 4:06PM0.33m | 7:32AM0.53m | 8:53AM0.52m | 10:22AM0.53m | 11:29AM0.54m | 11:14PM0.20m | 12:15PM0.57m | 00:18AM0.24m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 12:04PM0.28m | 10:52PM0.10m | 1:33PM0.31m | 11:13PM0.11m | 11:36PM0.12m | 00:08AM0.14m | 1:19AM0.16m | 8:57PM0.20m | 8:20PM0.19m | ||||||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | NNE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 | ENE 8 |
139 | 115 | 69 | 125 | 131 | 110 | 273 | 316 | 100 | 169 | 232 | 318 | 344 | 230 | 160 | 187 | 190 | 230 | 223 | 360 | 218 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | E 11 | E 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | NNE 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 6 | SSW 15 |
49 | 119 | 117 | 256 | 251 | 246 | 37 | 33 | 190 | 149 | 77 | 100 | 459 | 427 | 326 | 259 | 273 | 269 | 324 | 3 | 355 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 23 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | E 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 11 | E 10 | SW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | WNW 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | SSW 14 | NNE 7 | W 12 | W 12 |
54 | 37 | 34 | 31 | 29 | 22 | 9 | 12 | 52 | 15 | 10 | 491 | 9 | 44 | 47 | 35 | 23 | 71 | 9 | 12 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | E 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | — | NE 7 | NE 6 | E 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | — | ENE 9 | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | ENE 8 | — |
10 | 11 | 7 | 43 | 53 | — | 89 | 91 | 38 | 211 | 320 | — | 466 | — | 260 | 289 | 297 | — | — | 229 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 162 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 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









