Seasonal· Kauai· Hawaii
Kauai Summer Na Pali Season and Winter North Swell
22° 10.5′ N · 159° 38.6′ W
Kauai's cruising calendar is set by swell, not wind: from about October to April big north and northwest swells close Hanalei, Na Pali and Niihau, while the summer months - especially June through August - open them up.
Practical
Noodle's Notes: north-to-northwest swells occur October-April and are reliable enough that exposed anchorages should usually be avoided then; south swells come June-August and are intermittent; watch swell forecasts year-round (the author uses Surfline, picking a surf spot facing the same way as the anchorage). Pacific Cup notes: north swell disappears June through August. State Parks permits Na Pali kayak paddling and landings May 15 to September 7 only. Coast Pilot (Kauai weather): December-March brings the strongest winds, sometimes gale force with more rain; on the north and south shores the morning trade wind is usually light until about 9:00 am and eases again about 4:00 pm, so make Na Pali runs early; on the west side between Mana and Makaha Points calm or light variable airs prevail; June is the driest month and December the wettest. Kona (southerly) winds occur most often October-April and can make normally leeward anchorages unsafe for small craft. Coordinate: Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park.
Best for
Timing a Kauai and Niihau cruise
Season
Best Jun-Aug; avoid exposed north/west anchorages Oct-Apr
Nearby
- Na Pali Coast State Wilderness ParkRight here
- Na Pali Sea Caves (Open Ceiling Cave)0.3 NM away
- Na Pali Coast Landing and Camping Permits0.9 NM away
- Kalalau Beach Anchorage1 NM away
- Na Pali Spinner Dolphins1.5 NM away
- Honopu Arch and Beach1.6 NM away
- Kalalau Trail2 NM away
- Nualolo Kai Reef Snorkel3.2 NM away