Surfing Pakala: The Complete Guide

Pakala is a point break located in South Coast, Kauai, USA (HI), offering a left-hander along North America's diverse surf scene. Pakala (Infinities) is a long, roping left point break on Kauai's south coast. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this point break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is S (190°), with workable conditions from S to SW (170°–235°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Pakala needs a minimum of 1.2m / 4ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.4m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 12 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the NE (40°). The full offshore range spans NNE to ESE (20°–120°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Pakala runs May, June, July, August, September (May–Sep). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens April, October (Apr–Oct). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: May-Sep. Also known as Infinities for the ride length. 200+ yard rides.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 25°C / 77°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is LIH, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Access: Beach access from roadside near mile marker 21.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
👊 Localism — Heavy local enforcement

Long roping left point break. 200+ yard rides when big enough. Hidden gem south swell spot.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Respect the lineup, wait your turn, and be friendly. A little humility goes a long way

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (3/10). Recommended board: a performance shortboard.

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Pakala? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Pakala is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*