Hawaii • South Shore Kauai • Buoy: 51201

Poipu Beach

Good

Wave Height

4-6

ft

Swell

~8s

S

Wind

9mph

Offshore (ENE)

Water

81°

Boardshorts

Falling• Low in 6h 4m

Updated: 10/13/2026, 5:39:27 PM • Data: Open-Meteo

Accurate?

Surf Graph

Clean
Fair
Choppy
Flat

Tide Forecast

Today
L8:14am0.1ft
H4:06pm2.0ft
L11:32pm0.8ft
Tomorrow
H2:09am0.8ft
L8:39am0.2ft
H4:54pm1.9ft
Fri, Oct 16
L9:04am0.3ft
H5:54pm1.8ft

Recent History

No recent history available

About Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach on Kauai's south shore is the island's most accessible surf spot, offering fun, manageable waves in a resort-lined setting. The beach break and small reef setups produce waves that are perfect for beginners and longboarders, with occasional punchy days on solid south swells. Monk seals frequently rest on the beach. The consistent trade wind exposure can make conditions bumpy by midday, so dawn patrol is the move.

FAQ

What is the water temperature at Poipu Beach?

The current water temperature at Poipu Beach is 81°F. Boardshorts or a rashguard should be comfortable.

What is the surf like at Poipu Beach today?

Poipu Beach currently has waves around 4-6ft. Conditions change throughout the day, so check back for updated forecasts.

What time is high tide at Poipu Beach?

Today's high tide at Poipu Beach is at 10:07 PM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What time is low tide at Poipu Beach?

Today's low tide at Poipu Beach is at 4:14 AM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What are the best conditions for surfing Poipu Beach?

Poipu Beach works best with swells from the S, SSW, SW, SSE and N, NE, NW winds (offshore). The ideal tide is all tides.

Is Poipu Beach good for beginners?

Yes, Poipu Beach is suitable for beginners, especially on smaller days. It's always a good idea to check conditions before paddling out and consider taking a lesson if you're new to surfing.

This Week's Outlook

Friday morning looks like the move with clean 4-footers and offshore winds keeping everything groomed before the wind picks up. If that doesn't work, Saturday's got a bit more juice in the water with 5-foot waves, but the early bird gets the better shape.

Updated 10/13/2026, 6:20:05 PM

Spot Info

Break TypeBeach Break
BottomSand and Reef
Skill LevelBeginner to Intermediate
CrowdModerate
Best TideAll Tides
Best SwellS, SSW, SW, SSE
Best WindN, NE, NW
ParkingPoipu Beach Park lot, free

Local Tip

Mellow and fun. Morning sessions before the trades pick up. Watch for monk seals on the beach.