Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period, WNW swell with 380 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 1.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Alright, so the surf story for the next 16 days is a bit of a slow one. We’ve got a decent little pulse rolling in to start, but it’s going to drop off into a real flat spell for the guts of a week before we might see a whisper of something new. The water temp is sitting at a very normal 80°, so that’s about what you’d expect for this time of year. No surprises there.
The first real window of opportunity kicks off Friday, August 21st, up at Polihale (Kauai). Friday morning it’s tiny, only 2ft from the west with a 10-second period, but the wind is glassy – dead calm, slight air. The combined energy is weak at 116, so it’s not going to be world-class, but it’s surfable. The real highlight of this whole run looks like Saturday afternoon, August 22nd. The swell builds to 4ft from the WNW, and the period stretches out to 12 seconds, giving it a bit more punch. The combined energy jumps to 367, which is a solid moderate level. The wind is glassy from the SE. This is the best on offer, clean and with enough push to be fun.
Sunday the 23rd holds up around 3ft, but the wind swings cross-shore in the morning and then cross-off from the ENE at 12 mph in the afternoon. It’s still clean, but it’s a step down from Saturday. From Monday the 24th onward, the swell drops into the 2ft range with weak energy readings (115 to 71), and the wind stays cross-off. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.
Then we hit a dead zone. From Thursday, August 27th, right through to Tuesday, September 1st, there’s basically nothing. No swell, poor conditions. That’s a solid 6-day gap with no recommendations.
The story picks up again on Sunday, August 30th, with a pulse of short-period windswell, 4ft from the NE at only 7 seconds. The energy is moderate at 135, but that short period means it’s going to be messy and choppy. Not a standout.
We get another quiet spell, and then on Thursday, September 3rd, we see a tiny 1ft groundswell from the west with a 12-second period. The wind goes offshore in the afternoon from the SE, but it’s just too small. The energy is only 24. It’s a tease.
The best call in the second week is Friday morning, September 4th. A 2ft groundswell from the west, 13-second period, with clean offshore winds from the SE. Energy is 126, so it’s light, but that long period and clean conditions could make for a few fun, glassy waves if you’re on a longboard. It’s not a heavy day, but it’s the closest thing to a real surf window we’ve got in a while.
So, to wrap it up: Saturday, August 22nd afternoon is the clear standout. After that, it’s a long wait until Friday, September 4th morning for a second, much smaller window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | S 16 | S 17 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
69 | 76 | 104 | 147 | 344 | 297 | 215 | 223 | 189 | 142 | 115 | 87 | 71 | 69 | 69 | 92 | 87 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | 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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:23PM0.57m | 1:05PM0.59m | 11:49PM0.22m | 1:40PM0.62m | 00:48AM0.24m | 2:10PM0.64m | 1:30AM0.27m | 2:37PM0.65m | 2:08AM0.30m | 3:02PM0.65m | 2:47AM0.34m | 3:26PM0.63m | 3:27AM0.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:19AM0.13m | 9:37PM0.21m | 5:28AM0.11m | 9:26PM0.20m | 6:20AM0.09m | 9:31PM0.19m | 7:04AM0.07m | 9:41PM0.18m | 7:45AM0.07m | 9:54PM0.17m | 8:24AM0.09m | 10:08PM0.16m | |||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | W 10 | ENE 7 | WNW 12 | E 7 | ENE 7 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | E 7 | E 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 10 | S 19 | E 7 | S 17 | S 15 |
47 | 47 | 104 | 79 | 344 | 155 | 164 | 223 | 189 | 142 | 49 | 48 | 71 | 69 | 165 | 163 | 87 | 336 | 92 | 346 | 362 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 8 | NE 7 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 8 | NW 11 | NW 10 | S 16 | S 16 | WNW 10 | NW 11 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 16 | S 12 | E 16 |
54 | 42 | 37 | 147 | 166 | 297 | 215 | 144 | 118 | 43 | 115 | 87 | 131 | 127 | 69 | 92 | 139 | 123 | 343 | 73 | 176 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSE 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 18 | NW 10 | S 12 | E 17 | NW 9 |
69 | 76 | 171 | 173 | 23 | 162 | 150 | 22 | 34 | 107 | 102 | 89 | 58 | 86 | 110 | 167 | 225 | 49 | 72 | 94 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | — | E 7 | E 7 |
— | — | — | — | 111 | — | 256 | 164 | 125 | 64 | 71 | 47 | 111 | 172 | 142 | 132 | 125 | 90 | — | 92 | 97 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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










