Surf Forecasts:
Polihale surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 130 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with WNW 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. 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 0.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Polihale over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, this is Rusty. Alright, let’s be straight with it—looking at Polihale over the next couple of weeks, we’ve got a pretty flat and quiet run ahead. The first week especially is a write-off for any kind of decent paddle surfing. This exposed sandbar setup needs a solid pulse of NW swell and clean winds to fire, and for days on end, we’re just not seeing it. There’s a long gap with no proper recommendations right through the middle of the period, so don’t hold your breath.
The first sniff of anything worth mentioning comes on Wednesday the 19th in the afternoon. We get a tiny 2 ft swell from the NE with a short, junky 7-second period. Combined wave energy is weak at 73, and the water’s around 81°F with basically no temperature anomaly—average for this time of year. Winds go glassy though, which is a nice look, but the waves themselves are ordinary. Not enough push for a proper session.
Things stay small and mediocre through to the end of the week. Friday the 21st afternoon shows a little more hope with some swell building to 3 ft from the NE, period still short at 7 seconds, energy at 79, and again glassy winds. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.
Now, the one standout in this entire outlook lands on Monday the 24th. Morning brings a 3 ft swell from the WNW with a period bumping up to 11 seconds—a proper groundswell pulse. Combined energy hits 204, which is moderate. The wind is glassy, making for clean conditions. That’s the best on offer over the whole 16 days. For a sandbar like Polihale, long-period WNW groundswell can sometimes run straight, but with these small heights, it should offer tidy, rideable lines. Still, the swell direction is NW, which is the optimum for this spot, so it lines up nicely. Expect crowds sometimes, as it’s fairly consistent and the locals will be out for this one.
After that, Tuesday the 25th is messy with cross-shore winds and dropping energy. Then Wednesday the 26th afternoon shows another pulse: 3 ft from the NNW, 11-second period, and energy up to 250—moderate and punchy. Winds are clean, cross-off from the ENE at 9 mph. This is a solid secondary window. Might be worth a look if you missed Monday.
Beyond that, from Friday the 28th onward, we’re back to weak ankle-biters: 2 ft from the N at 10 seconds, energy dropping into the double digits. Winds stay light and mostly clean, but the swell just isn’t there. The last few days of August and into the 31st are more of the same—small, sleepy, and not going to get your heart racing.
If you’re chasing clean lines and a bit of punch, aim for Monday the 24th morning. The 26th afternoon is the backup. Otherwise, it’s a long flat spell in between. For now, I’d say keep an eye on the forecasts, because this kind of quiet run can turn around quick.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Sun afternoon, calm by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 17 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | NNE 7 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 15 | 57 | 49 | 48 | 36 | 56 | 46 | 49 | 60 | 63 | 0 | 104 | 75 | 0 | 9 | 33 | |
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 | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:22PM0.46m | 7:21AM0.47m | 5:22PM0.40m | 8:38AM0.49m | 10:07AM0.51m | 11:26AM0.53m | 12:23PM0.57m | 1:05PM0.59m | 11:49PM0.22m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 00:11AM0.12m | 12:59PM0.33m | 00:34AM0.12m | 1:02AM0.13m | 1:44AM0.13m | 2:53AM0.14m | 4:19AM0.13m | 9:37PM0.21m | ||||||||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | |
mm | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 27 |
Feels °C | 25 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 14 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 6 | E 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
171 | 618 | 314 | 214 | 191 | 124 | 82 | 64 | 74 | 51 | 46 | 49 | 32 | 63 | 126 | 104 | 75 | 66 | 76 | 85 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSW 7 | S 14 | SW 7 | SW 7 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | NE 7 | S 12 | S 12 | E 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
112 | 82 | 264 | 33 | 15 | 121 | 121 | 80 | 36 | 69 | 44 | 32 | 119 | 181 | 197 | 173 | 171 | 173 | 166 | 162 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 13 | SW 7 | S 12 | S 6 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | S 12 | WNW 11 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | S 11 | E 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | NNE 7 | WNW 10 |
127 | 160 | 54 | 102 | 10 | 57 | 49 | 48 | 69 | 24 | 68 | 123 | 22 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 9 | 33 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | E 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 7 |
1778 | 877 | 401 | 292 | 143 | — | — | — | 122 | 56 | 46 | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 79 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 178 | 170 | 170 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 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










