Surf spot

Polihale State Park

Forecast conditions and map view for Polihale State Park in USA, Hawaii, Kauai. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, Hawaii, Kauai
Coordinates: 22.0756, -159.7694

Metric
Metric	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00
Wave height (m)	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7
Wave direction	S	SSE	S	NE	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	S	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	S	S	S	S	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	S	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	NNE	NNE	NNE	SSW	NNE	NNE	NNE	SSW
Wave period (s)	8.1	6.3	6.8	6.6	6.6	6.7	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.3	8	7.2	6.9	6.8	6.6	6.6	6.7	6.7	6.8	8.4	8.7	8.8	9.1	6.9	6.6	6.4	6.2	6.2	6.3	7.2	6.5	7.2	7.8	6.5	6.5	9.1	6.3	6.3	6.7	6.6	12.3	13.6	13.5	14.6	14	13.8	12.8	14.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	11.4	6.2	6.1	6.1	11.1
Wave energy (kJ)	68	50	48	38	43	46	49	49	40	27	63	45	41	40	38	38	36	35	32	47	47	42	38	24	24	22	25	26	25	24	22	20	24	27	28	44	31	34	39	38	70	65	64	61	90	102	69	94	35	35	35	113	39	41	36	113
Wind speed (km/h)	4.3	2.1	4.6	8.1	8	7.1	4	1.5	6	3.3	1.1	9	7.6	5.5	3.5	2.1	0.8	5.4	4.8	8.9	10.7	7.9	6.4	1.8	4.6	3	0.7	10.4	11.9	11.2	2.5	2.2	1.1	3.9	2.8	9.1	12.2	4.5	3.6	4.2	5.1	3.3	2.4	6.9	9	6.6	5.4	3.7	4.2	3.4	1.8	8.8	9.8	3.1	4.9	2.4
Wind direction	WGlassy	SSWGlassy	SSWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WSWOnshore	SSWGlassy	NEGlassy	SSECross-off	SEGlassy	WSWGlassy	WOnshore	WOnshore	NNWCross-on	ESEGlassy	WSWGlassy	SSWGlassy	SECross-off	SSEGlassy	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWCross-on	NGlassy	SEGlassy	ESEGlassy	EGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	SWCross-on	NGlassy	SGlassy	ENEGlassy	ENEGlassy	SEGlassy	WOnshore	WSWOnshore	WNWGlassy	SEGlassy	ENEGlassy	SECross-off	EGlassy	ESEGlassy	WOnshore	SWCross-on	WOnshore	EOffshore	EGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SEGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	NNWGlassy	SEGlassy	ENEGlassy

Polihale State Park on Kauai’s west shore is a remote, exposed surf spot known for its long stretch of sand, dramatic scenery, and powerful surf. It faces the open Pacific, so it’s fully exposed to south and west swells, with conditions that can build quickly and get heavy.

Surf character

Wave type: Mostly beach break, with shifting sandbars
Power: Can be strong and hollow when conditions line up
Consistency: More reliable during south swell season and bigger winter west swells
Crowd: Usually less crowded than more accessible Kauai breaks because it’s remote

Best conditions

Swell direction: South to southwest swell, and some west swells
Wind: Light offshore or calm winds are ideal
Tide: Varies by sandbar, but mid tide often works better than extreme high or low

Hazards

Polihale is beautiful but can be serious: - Strong currents and rip currents - Powerful shorebreak - Remote access with limited services - Very rough ocean when swell is large - No lifeguard coverage in most areas

Skill level

Best for experienced surfers who are comfortable in powerful, open-ocean beach break conditions.

Vibe

It’s a wild, undeveloped, scenic surf zone rather than a groomed or easy-access surf park. The setting is part of the appeal: wide beaches, big sky, and a sense of isolation.