Polihale, Kauai: dive & snorkel conditions
Polihale, Tuesday, November 3: visibility Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m), and Go by boat (70/100) to dive or snorkel, best 12:00–18:00 HST.
Updated ; the forecast refreshes every 6 hours. Confidence 91%.
Open Polihale in the appNo Hawaii DOH Brown Water Advisory near Polihale today.
Today by how you get in
Shore
– Caution 36
Surf ~6 ft at the entry (N swell, 9 s)
Best 12:00–18:00 HST
Nearshore reef
Kayak
– Caution 36
Surf ~6 ft at the launch (N swell, 9 s)
Best 12:00–18:00 HST
Boat
✓ Go 70
Seas ~6 ft · wind 1 kt · current 0.4 kt
Best 12:00–18:00 HST
Blue water (300 ft+) 5.0 km out
Next 7 days at Polihale
| Day | Divability | Visibility | Wind | Swell | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ Go 70 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 2 kt SW | 6.9 ft @ 11s | 91% | |
| ✓ Go 77 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 1 kt W | 5.2 ft @ 9s | 91% | |
| – Caution 58 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 1 kt WSW | 6.6 ft @ 12s | 86% | |
| – Caution 67 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 2 kt SSW | 6.9 ft @ 12s | 82% | |
| ✓ Go 70 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 2 kt SW | 6.2 ft @ 10s | 75% | |
| – Caution 67 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 1 kt W | 6.2 ft @ 10s | 68% | |
| ✓ Go 70 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 1 kt W | 6.2 ft @ 11s | 61% |
About Polihale
- Polihale faces west (280°): swell from that side arrives head-on.
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor.
- Water 100 ft (30 m) deep starts about 3.0 km out.
- Blue water (300 ft / 100 m and deeper) is about 5.0 km out.
What spoils the visibility here
- North and northwest swells, mostly October to April, hit it head-on and stir up the bottom.
- It is sheltered from the usual trade winds; Kona (southerly) winds and swells are its weak spot.
- Heavy rain sends brown runoff into the water for a few days; Hawaii DOH posts Brown Water Advisories when it does.
Questions about Polihale
- Is it good to snorkel or dive at Polihale today?
- On Tuesday, November 3 DiveVis rates Polihale Go by boat (70/100). Conditions look good.
- What is the water visibility at Polihale today?
- Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m) expected on Tuesday, November 3, with 91% confidence. It is an estimate from wind, swell, rain, runoff and ocean conditions, not a measurement.
- What's the best time to get in the water at Polihale today?
- Between 12:00 and 18:00 HST on Tuesday, November 3, by boat.
- How do you get in the water at Polihale?
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor.
Other Kauai spots today
- Salt Pond Beach · Go
- Kipu Kai · Caution
- Nualolo Kai (Na Pali) · Caution
- Anini · No-go
- Kee Beach · No-go
- Moloaa Bay · No-go
- Tunnels (Makua) · No-go
- Lydgate Beach · No-go
Estimates from wind, swell, rain, runoff, tides and ocean conditions; check conditions on site before going in. How the forecast works.