Mana Point:
On the south coast of Kauai, head west on Kaumaualii Highway toward the Na Pali Coast and your bound to witness natural Hawaiian beauty and a few good waves along the way. Like Mana Point. Located near Barking Sands beach, beside the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Mana Point is both a summertime and wintertime spot, as it picks up uninterrupted energy from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. North swells will careen along the southeastern angled coastline and combo swells will create fun beachbreak peaks up and down the expansive beach. Because of its wide angle exposure, Mana Point can become large in stronger swell events and have strong currents.
Polihale:
Heading northwest on Kaumaualii Highway, just past Barking Sands beach and Mana Point, you’ll hit the end of the road at Polihale State Park. Before you will be seven miles of sweeping, golden beach that ends at the colossal feet of the Na Pali Coast, where the untouched wilds of Kauai’s western shore begin. Along Polihale beach there are numerous beachbreak set-ups to enjoy in both summer and winter. Unlike nearby Mana, Polihale picks up more swell from the North than the South Pacific, though a good South swell will wrap in just fine. Like Polihale, combo swells will yield the best surf, distributing fun peaks up and down the beach. Because Polihale is so sweeping and predominately sand, watch out for shifty surf and strong currents during larger swell events. If you’re on Kauai, whether there is surf or not, you don’t want to miss Polihale State Park — it’ll mesmerize you.