Pakala
Pakala (Infinities) is a long, roping left point break on Kauai's south coast. Named Infinities for the seemingly endless 200+ yard rides it produces when big enough. A hidden gem that catches summer south swells.
Pakala surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to LIH, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Hawaii is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Hawaii — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Pakala trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (190°)
- Direction range
- 170° - 235°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (40°)
- Offshore range
- 20° - 120°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
3m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
4/10
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Beach access from roadside near mile marker 21.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Pakala?
Pakala is a point break in South Coast, Kauai, USA, that mostly breaks left over a reef bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 3m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What swell works best at Pakala?
Pakala picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Pakala?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Pakala, and anything from the NNE round to the ESE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Pakala?
Pakala is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Pakala?
The most reliable run of swell at Pakala comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. May-Sep. Also known as Infinities for the ride length. 200+ yard rides.
How cold is the water at Pakala?
The water at Pakala averages around 25°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Pakala good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Long roping left point break. 200+ yard rides when big enough. Hidden gem south swell spot.
How do I get to Pakala?
The nearest airport on our list is LIH, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Beach access from roadside near mile marker 21.
What other surf spots are near Pakala?
The closest breaks we track are Polihale (23 km), Waikoko's (34 km) and Hanalei Point (35 km), handy when Pakala isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
May-Sep. Also known as Infinities for the ride length. 200+ yard rides.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Polihale
🏝️ End of the road • Empty epic peaks • Na Pali power
Waikoko's
🌴 Hanalei Bay's hidden left • Fickle but beautiful • Secluded
Hanalei Point
🏄 Irons brothers' proving ground • 300-yard rights • Multiple peaks
Tunnels
🏔️ Na Pali backdrop • Deep barrel tubes • Crystal clear water
Cannons
💣 Tunnels' twin left • Equally hollow • Breathtaking setting
Hideaways
🙈 Hidden Princeville gem • Hollow A-frames • 10 parking spots