Overview

Polihua Beach is a remote and wild beach on the north coast of Lanai island, one of Hawaii's smallest inhabited islands. It is one of Lanai's largest white sand beaches but also one of its most exposed and dangerous. The name "Polihua" means "bay of eggs" referring to sea turtles that nest here. Northeast trade winds blow directly onshore with considerable force. Access is only by 4WD on unpaved roads. This spot is EXCLUSIVELY reserved for expert riders due to extreme remoteness, deadly currents, and complete absence of rescue services.

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Spot forecast for Polihua Beach

Sunrise 06:25 · Sunset 18:00

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 3.2 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October High tide 00:02 · 0.3 m Low tide 03:19 · 0.3 m High tide 11:18 · 0.6 m Low tide 18:44 · 0.2 m
Tuesday 20 October High tide 00:41 · 0.3 m Low tide 04:54 · 0.3 m High tide 12:03 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:02 · 0.2 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:11 · 0.4 m Low tide 06:08 · 0.3 m High tide 12:40 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:20 · 0.1 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:39 · 0.5 m Low tide 07:10 · 0.2 m High tide 13:13 · 0.6 m Low tide 19:38 · 0.1 m
Friday 23 October High tide 02:08 · 0.6 m Low tide 08:05 · 0.2 m High tide 13:45 · 0.5 m Low tide 19:59 · 0.1 m

Polihua Beach: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

413h

in July · 30.5 rideable days

The season runs from May to November, peaking in July: 27 rideable days a month and 413 hours of usable wind, at 28 °C. The low point is January, at 9.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 25%13-20 knots · 66%21-30 knots · 9%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 66% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is February, at 25 °C. The wettest month is January, with 89 mm.

Monthly averages: Polihua Beach

Monthly averages — Polihua Beach — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	9.5	92 h	26 °C	89 mm
February	15.5	129 h	25 °C	22 mm
March	23.5	265 h	26 °C	14 mm
April	20.0	208 h	26 °C	66 mm
May	26.0	293 h	28 °C	54 mm
June	28.5	363 h	28 °C	18 mm
July	30.5	413 h	29 °C	16 mm
August	28.0	337 h	29 °C	35 mm
September	26.5	280 h	29 °C	19 mm
October	24.5	268 h	29 °C	35 mm
November	23.0	227 h	27 °C	19 mm
December	14.0	124 h	26 °C	19 mm

Photo gallery of Polihua Beach

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Technical details of Polihua Beach spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Expert

On the water

Warm water year-round (23-27°C/73-80°F), no wetsuit needed. The bottom is sandy with reef offshore. Water is very rough with significant swell, especially in winter. Extremely strong and unpredictable currents — this beach is known for its dangerous rip currents. No protective reef — direct exposure to open ocean. The water is among the most demanding in Hawaii.

Hazards

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SPOT — deadly currents, even experienced swimmers have drowned here. Complete isolation — no rescue services, no phone coverage, 4WD access only. NEVER SAIL ALONE. Powerful swell. No protective reef. Sea turtle nesting site — ultra-protected zone, strict legal distances. Sharks frequent in waters off Lanai. Humpback whales from December to April. Extreme wind — trade winds blow with considerable force on this exposed coast.

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LANAI 16.2 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

PUAAHALA 124.5 km

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source noaa
Kaumalapau Southwest, Lanai, HI (239)14 km

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source NOAA Buoy

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Webcams near Polihua Beach

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Nearby spots

All spots: Hawaii

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Polihua Beach kitesurf and wingfoil spot