Polihale
Polihale is a remote beach break at the end of the road on Kauai's west side. Powerful waves channel in from the Na Pali coast, producing empty, epic beachbreak peaks with strong rips. The reward for the long drive is true solitude.
Polihale surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 345°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 80° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Sand
Max wave face
4m+
Board
Any
Consistency
5/10
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: End of the road on Kauai's west side. Dirt road may require 4WD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Polihale?
Polihale is a beach break in West Shore, Kauai, USA, with peaks that run both left and right over a sand bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 4m.
What swell works best at Polihale?
Polihale picks up swell from the W round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Polihale?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Polihale, and anything from the E round to the SSE 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 Polihale?
Polihale is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Polihale?
The most reliable run of swell at Polihale comes Nov to Mar. Nov-Mar. Remote beach break at end of the road. Powerful waves from Na Pali.
How cold is the water at Polihale?
The water at Polihale 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 Polihale 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 2/10). Remote beach break at end of the road. Powerful waves channel in from Na Pali. Strong rips.
How do I get to Polihale?
The nearest airport on our list is LIH, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. End of the road on Kauai's west side. Dirt road may require 4WD.
What other surf spots are near Polihale?
The closest breaks we track are Pakala (23 km), Cannons (26 km) and Tunnels (26 km), handy when Polihale isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Nov-Mar. Remote beach break at end of the road. Powerful waves from Na Pali.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Pakala
♾️ Infinities • 200-yard lefts • Kauai's hidden gem
Cannons
💣 Tunnels' twin left • Equally hollow • Breathtaking setting
Tunnels
🏔️ Na Pali backdrop • Deep barrel tubes • Crystal clear water
Waikoko's
🌴 Hanalei Bay's hidden left • Fickle but beautiful • Secluded
Hanalei Point
🏄 Irons brothers' proving ground • 300-yard rights • Multiple peaks
Hideaways
🙈 Hidden Princeville gem • Hollow A-frames • 10 parking spots