Kauai County, HI · Hawaiian Islands

Polihale State Park

The wild western end of Kauai — 17 miles of dune-backed beach running up to the foot of the Na Pali Coast sea cliffs. The drive in is a 5-mile rutted dirt road that floods after rain and effectively requires 4WD. No food, no water, no lifeguards, no shade, and dangerous year-round shore break — but the best sunset on the island.

Today's Conditions

Great day for a beach walk.

NWS alert active · 7.5ft waves · 79°F water

Full NWS forecast for Sunday

Mostly sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 80 in the afternoon. North northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.

Weather

86°F air — ideal beach weather
Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

79°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

UV 12 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
7.5ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 12 at 3:10am hst until july 13 at 6:00pm hst by nws honolulu hi

69 /100

good

16 Swim

76 Sunbathe

83 Walk

81 Photo

Best for walking today

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 12 at 3:10AM HST until July 13 at 6:00PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI

NWS · In effect through Jul 14, 4:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...East winds, except in Maalaea Bay where winds will be north, 20 to 25 kt with higher gusts. * WHERE...All Hawaiian waters. * WHEN...Until 6 PM HST Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

86°F

Clear

Wind

5 mph

NNW

Rain

13%

Sunday

UV Peak

12 Extreme

High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~17m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM

Tomorrow

85°F

Mostly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

79°F

Swimming weather

Next Low Tide

10:33 PM

0.4 ft · in 7.3h

Wave Height

7.5 ft

8s · ENE swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (HIZ029)

The HFO office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

HIZ003 Kauai n/a
HIZ006 Oahu n/a
HIZ017 Maui n/a
HIZ052 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
HIZ053 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
HIZ054 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
HIZ023 Big Island Leeward n/a

NWS SRF · HFO · Issued Jul 12, 1:25 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

12:02 PM

Sunset

1:25 AM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
1:04 AM	High	0.6 ft
7:04 AM	Low	-0.3 ft
3:03 PM	High	2.5 ft
10:33 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:08 AM	High	0.6 ft
7:54 AM	Low	-0.4 ft
3:46 PM	High	2.6 ft
11:04 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:06 AM	High	0.7 ft
8:44 AM	Low	-0.3 ft
4:28 PM	High	2.6 ft
11:35 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:01 AM	High	0.8 ft
9:31 AM	Low	-0.2 ft
5:07 PM	High	2.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:07 AM	Low	0.3 ft
4:58 AM	High	0.9 ft
10:19 AM	Low	-0.1 ft
5:44 PM	High	2.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:38 AM	Low	0.3 ft
5:57 AM	High	1.0 ft
11:07 AM	Low	0.2 ft
6:18 PM	High	2.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:10 AM	Low	0.3 ft
7:03 AM	High	1.1 ft
11:59 AM	Low	0.5 ft
6:48 PM	High	1.7 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 1611400, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 12

86°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Mon Jul 13

85°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Tue Jul 14

84°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Wed Jul 15

85°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Thu Jul 16

87°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Fri Jul 17

87°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Sat Jul 18

86°

Mostly Sunny

13%

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 12 — very high
recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 79°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Free park lot at the end of Lower Saki Mana Rd; 4WD strongly recommended.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited (Hawaii state park beach).

Entry Fee

Day-use free; non-resident camping permits required via camping.ehawaii.gov.

Address

Lower Saki Mana Rd, Waimea, HI 96796

Amenities

restroomsoutdoor showerstent camping (permit)

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Polihale State Park today?

Polihale State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Polihale State Park dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited (Hawaii state park beach).

Is there an entry fee at Polihale State Park?

Day-use free; non-resident camping permits required via camping.ehawaii.gov.

Are there lifeguards at Polihale State Park?

No lifeguards are stationed at Polihale State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Polihale State Park?

Amenities at Polihale State Park include restrooms, outdoor showers, tent camping (permit).

When is the water warmest at Polihale State Park?

Hawaiian water is consistently 75-82°F year-round, with the summer peak in August-September. Swimming comfortable every month; rip currents and shore-break hazards drive the safety picture more than temperature.

Where is Polihale State Park located?

Polihale State Park is in Kauai County, HI, at Lower Saki Mana Rd, Waimea, HI 96796.