Polihale Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you: the next couple of weeks at Polihale are looking pretty bleak. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak surf ahead, so don't get your hopes up for any hero waves. The good news is the water is sitting at a warm 80.9°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so at least a paddle will feel good.

We're looking at a serious dry spell starting now. From Saturday the 15th through to Wednesday the 19th, it's essentially flat. We're talking about knee-high slop at best, with hardly any energy in the water (combined energy values are way down in the 30s and 40s). There's a bit of a west-northwest groundswell trying to show itself on the 15th, but it's only 1ft with a 10-second period, and it's just not doing anything. The wind is mostly cross-offshore, which is fine, but there's nothing for it to blow over.

The first tiny glimmer comes Thursday morning, the 20th. We finally see the swell nudge up to 3ft from the northeast with a short, 7-second period. The wind goes glassy, which is a massive positive, and the combined energy gets up to 77 – still weak, but it’s something. It’s surfable, but it’s what I’d call “ordinary” conditions, not worth getting too excited about. Friday afternoon, the 21st, is actually the best of the whole run that first week. The swell bumps up to 4ft from the northeast, still with a short 8-second period, but the energy jumps to 164 (moderate) and it’s dead glassy with a calm wind. This is the pick of the first week, but even then, it's not going to be a world-beater.

After that little pulse, it backs right off again. The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd is flat, with nothing on offer. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th see a return of that weak, short-period northeast swell around 2-3ft, but it's not enough to get the heart racing. The energy is barely in the triple digits (60-61). We're stuck in a pattern of very small surf.

The second week offers a glimmer of hope, but it's a long-range call. On Thursday the 28th, we've got a 2ft swell from the west with a much longer 13-second period. That's a proper groundswell, and the energy is a bit healthier at 84. It's glassy in the morning, which would be great. The catch? A west swell is the wrong direction for this spot; it wants northwest. It might wrap in a little, but it's not ideal.

Then, as we roll into Saturday the 30th of August, the models hint at something a bit more interesting. There’s a 2ft swell from the west with a 14-second period. The energy is moderate (103), but the wind is forecast to be light cross-onshore in the afternoon, which will put a bit of a crumble on it. It’s not a standout, but it’s the most promising sign for the back half of the forecast. It’s just so far out that I wouldn’t book my flights on it.

So, the long and short of it is: this is a very quiet period. If you're desperate for a surf, Friday the 21st is your best bet for some clean, if small, waves. That Thursday the 28th has a bit of potential, but it's a long way off and the direction isn't perfect. Otherwise, it's a good time to work on your tan or check the forecast again next week. Things are so inconsistent right now that it’s hard to see it staying this flat for too much longer, but for now, keep the board in the car and the wax in the bag.

Stay stoked.

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