Kauai North Shore Swimming Banned Due to High Surf
Officials issued a no-swimming advisory for Kauai's North Shores due to a high surf warning creating dangerous conditions with strong waves and rip currents. Authorities are urging visitors and residents to stay out of the water until further notice, with no timeline provided for when the advisory will be lifted.
- The current high surf warning from the National Weather Service forecasts waves of 18 to 25 feet along the north-facing shores of Kauai and Niihau. - This powerful swell is generated by large storms in the North Pacific Ocean, a typical pattern during Hawaii's winter months which run from November through April. - Beaches particularly affected by the advisory include those in the Hanalei area and all other north-facing shores. - During the winter season, it is not uncommon for swells to produce waves reaching 30 to 40 feet on Kauai's northern and western coasts. - The Kauai County Ocean Safety Bureau has posted warning signs and is actively monitoring the hazardous conditions. - In addition to the high surf, a brown water advisory was issued for the North Shore on February 23, 2026, due to runoff from heavy rains, which can attract sharks and other predators. - For comparison, surf on the south-facing shores is expected to be minimal, with wave heights of only 1 to 3 feet.
