Click here for an up-to-date Kauai Ocean Report: http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/ocean_report/
Kauai ocean waters are very inviting, especially when you look out into the ocean and see so many people having fun. However, as a child, my elders always reminded me about having "respect" for the ocean. We were told to never turn our back to the ocean. Always face the ocean. We were also told to sit and watch from the sand for at least 15 minutes before going out surfing to assess the wave patterns, if there was a current and how it was moving, to identify the reef areas and to check for any protruding rocks. Many old timers weren't college graduates, but they had wisdom.
Be wise!!