Surf Forecasts:
Pipeline surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s period, SSW swell with 218 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pipeline this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Pipeline in the next 16 days are 0.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pipeline over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, but in feet and inches for ya. Right now at Pipeline, it’s dead flat, so don’t rush out. The first real surf shows up around Thursday, August 20th, but it’s just small and marginal – a SSW swell about 2ft, with a moderate cross-off breeze. Water temp’s a very normal 80°F for this time of year.
Through the 20th and 21st, that SSW swell builds to around 2ft, with a long period of 16–18 seconds. That means clean face, good shape, but wider sets. The wind stays cross-off from the E/ENE at about 12 mph, so the lineup will be tidy. The combined energy hits the 284 to 294 range – that’s moderate, but with a little weight.
The real window to circle is Monday, August 24th afternoon into Tuesday, August 25th. Monday afternoon, the swell pushes to 3ft from the SSW, period 14 seconds, energy around 474 (strong). Tuesday morning, it tops out at 4ft from the SSW, period 16 seconds, energy up to 637 (strong). That’s the best in the forecast. Wind sits moderate from the ENE, cross-off, keeping the reef looking inviting. Not too big for the pack, but enough to get a good drop.
Wednesday the 26th still has some leftover 4ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, but it fades fast. After that, it’s back to weak and small through the end of the month. Crowds at Pipe are often a factor, so plan for company. The swell direction is SSW, which matches the optimum WNW for the reef, and the long period means it’ll wrap in nicely.
Don’t expect much in the second week – just a few small pulses that aren’t worth the paddle. Focus on that Monday–Tuesday stretch.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat night, min 25°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 11 | W 13 | NNW 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SSW 6 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
218 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 22 | 30 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 50 | 58 | 12 | 74 | 121 | 79 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:34AM0.44m | 3:35PM0.77m | 3:25AM0.47m | 3:57PM0.70m | 4:16AM0.50m | 4:14PM0.64m | 5:10AM0.51m | 4:23PM0.57m | 6:14AM0.52m | 4:19PM0.52m | 7:40AM0.53m | 3:28PM0.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:53PM0.25m | 8:29AM0.08m | 10:14PM0.22m | 9:10AM0.15m | 10:34PM0.20m | 9:50AM0.23m | 10:55PM0.18m | 10:31AM0.32m | 11:17PM0.17m | 11:16AM0.40m | 11:40PM0.17m | 12:35PM0.47m | 00:09AM0.17m | ||||||
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
7:05 | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 8 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
628 | 868 | 784 | 636 | 503 | 411 | 315 | 225 | 168 | 171 | 164 | 121 | 326 | 74 | 264 | 229 | 165 | 119 | 116 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | E 11 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | S 18 | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SW 18 |
218 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 65 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 56 | 115 | 127 | 122 | 268 | 33 | 11 | 74 | 121 | 79 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 | NNW 8 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | NNW 9 | S 17 | SSE 8 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SW 19 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
28 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 30 | 15 | 143 | 26 | 25 | 50 | 58 | 12 | 17 | 34 | 28 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
194 | 172 | 220 | 371 | 482 | 536 | 708 | 1265 | 1441 | 1548 | 1134 | 807 | 542 | 375 | 294 | 240 | 210 | 178 | 163 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 26 | 28 | 165 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 166 | 168 | 165 | 168 | 168 | 34 | 11 | 26 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 24 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Pipeline Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Pipeline provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pipeline can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pipeline surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Pipeline) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Pipeline may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Pipeline is 19 km (12 miles) from Wahiawa. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wahiawa. Wahiawa has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











