85°
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
20%
80
Kauai County, HI · Hawaiian Islands
Polihale State Park
Lower Saki Mana Rd, Waimea, HI 96796
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.
78°F water · 85°F air
Full NWS forecast for Thursday
Isolated rain showers after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 85, with temperatures falling to around 80 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. North northeast wind around 2 mph.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- 20% rain — pop-up showers possible
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 5.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
77 /100
great
69 Swim
75 Sunbathe
80 Walk
78 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
85°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
2 to 6 mph
NNW
Rain
20%
Thursday
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
9:56 PM
0.6 ft · in 7.1h
Wave Height
5.9 ft
7s · NE 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
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
11:57 AM
Sunset
1:26 AM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:57 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 2:02 PM | High | 2.0 ft |
| 9:56 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Mostly Sunny
10%
85
85°
Mostly Sunny
7%
86
85°
Sunny
13%
86
86°
Mostly Sunny
14%
86
87°
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Rain Showers
26%
79
86°
Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
22%
79
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Polihale State Park.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Polihale State Park from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS