Reef

both

Level 4/10

Poipu Beach

Kauai, USA

👥Crowded🪸Sharp reef

Poipu Beach is Kauai's south shore playground—a fun reef break that comes alive during summer months when Southern Hemisphere groundswells travel thousands of miles to arrive on this sunny coast. The wave is accessible for all abilities, making it popular with the resort crowd staying in nearby hotels. While it lacks the dramatic scenery of the north shore, Poipu offers reliable summer surfing with warm water, consistent conditions, and far less intensity than the winter breaks.

10-Day Forecast

Today

Poor

1.9mENE

@10s

6km/h

Tue

Poor

1.8mNW

@11s

8km/h

Wed

Poor

2.1mNNW

@11s

6km/h

Thu

Poor

2.1mSW

@10s

8km/h

Fri

Poor

1.7mS

@10s

7km/h

Sat

Poor

1.3mNE

@10s

6km/h

Sun

Poor

1.2mE

@11s

5km/h

Mon

Poor

1.3mWSW

@12s

6km/h

Tue

Fair

1.3mW

@13s

10km/h

Wed

Poor

1.1mSW

@13s

8km/h

Today

Mon, Jan 19

1.9m @ 10s ENE

6 km/h SE

Tue

Tue, Jan 20

1.8m @ 11s NW

8 km/h SW

Wed

Wed, Jan 21

2.1m @ 11s NNW

6 km/h NE

Thu

Thu, Jan 22

2.1m @ 10s SW

8 km/h NE

Fri

Fri, Jan 23

1.7m @ 10s S

7 km/h NE

Sat

Sat, Jan 24

1.3m @ 10s NE

6 km/h SSE

Sun

Sun, Jan 25

1.2m @ 11s E

5 km/h SSW

Mon

Mon, Jan 26

1.3m @ 12s WSW

6 km/h SSE

Tue

Tue, Jan 27

1.3m @ 13s W

10 km/h ENE

Wed

Wed, Jan 28

1.1m @ 13s SW

8 km/h SE

Today's Conditions

Swell

1.9m

ENE(72°)

Score: 8/25

Period

10s

Medium period swell

Score: 12/25

Wind

6km/h

SE(145°)

Score: 1/25

Weather

22°C

0.0mm46%

Windswell Component

0.1mSE@1s

Secondary Swell

0.6mWNW

Forecast Confidence

100%

Sources: open-meteo-marine, open-meteo-weather

Best Session

morning

Strike Score Breakdown

Poor

Swell Direction

0/25

How well swell angle matches the spot

Swell Size

8/25

Wave height in the ideal range

Swell Period

12/25

Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.

Wind

1/25

Offshore/glassy conditions

Total Score21/100

Location & Conditions

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Swell

Wind

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Showing forecast for today

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction: S (190°)
Direction range: 160° - 220°
Size range: 0.6m - 2m
Ideal period: 14s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction: N (0°)
Offshore range: 330° - 30°
Best window: morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide: mid
Optimal range: 0.3m - 1.2m

Water temp

26°C

Wetsuit

Boardshorts / Rashguard

Difficulty

4/10

Crowd level

7/10

Access: Easy beach access. Parking available.

Getting There

Airport

LIH

Drive time

30 min

Best Season

Peak: May-Sep

Summer south swells from Southern Hemisphere.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Surfline spot guide