Pipeline Surf Break

Lat Long: 21.67° N 158.05° W

Pipeline Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Pipeline sea temperature is
27.0°C
0.1° 

Pipeline surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Pipeline surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 759 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with NNE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pipeline this week:

The surf forecast for Pipeline over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Pipeline in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Sun 13th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf 2PM (Sun 13th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 18th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pipeline over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here.

Right now, the outlook is a bit of a waiting game. There’s surf on the table, but it’s not the kind that gets the heart pumping just yet. The first real recommendation kicks off on Sunday the 13th of September, but don’t get too excited—it’s a slow start.

Sunday morning at Pipeline sees a small 3ft swell pushing in from the NNE, but it’s got a short period of 9 seconds and the wind is blowing cross-offshore from the ENE at 9 mph. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is bang on average for this time of year—no surprises there. The combined energy is moderate (302), but the call is "marginal" at best. It’s clean, but small and a bit weak. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a splash.

From there, things actually drop off. Monday the 14th through to Saturday the 19th is pretty much a write-off—sizes hover around 1ft to 3ft, with period bouncing between 15 and 24 seconds. That long period stuff sounds good, but the swell direction is all over the place (SW, SSW) and the wind stays cross-off from the E or ENE at 12 to 19 mph. The energy numbers climb a bit—up to 628 on Friday the 18th morning—but the surf quality is rated poor or marginal. It’s clean, but there’s just not enough push. No standouts here.

Sunday the 20th rolls in with another 3ft morning from the SSW, period 15 seconds, cross-off wind at 19 mph. Energy is strong (520), but again, the call is marginal. The afternoon goes back to poor. This pattern holds through the week—same story: 2ft to 3ft, SSW to SW swell, cross-off winds, moderate to fresh breeze. The waves are clean but gutless. Not the kind of stuff you tell your mates about.

Now, Sunday the 27th of September afternoon is where things finally get interesting. Swell shifts to the WNW at 2ft with a 16-second period, and the wind is cross-off from the ENE at 16 mph. The combined energy jumps to 609—strong. It’s still a marginal call, but that’s the best we’ve seen in days. The direction matches what Pipeline loves (WNW), and that long period groundswell has some punch. It’s an expert wave, small but with real shape potential. This is the standout of the outlook.

Monday the 28th follows up with similar conditions: SSW swell around 3ft, 17-second period, lighter cross-off winds at 12 mph. Energy hits 777 in the morning—moderate to strong. It’s still marginal, but consistent and clean. A solid end to the run.

Overall, there’s a big gap of almost two weeks of poor to marginal surf before that late September window shows some promise. If you’re keen, keep an eye on the 27th and 28th—that WNW swell is the real deal for Pipeline, even if the size is small. Crowds are often here, so expect company. For the rest? Leave the board in the car and wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNE
9
0.4
SSW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.3
SW
24
0.5
SW
22
0.5
SW
21
0.8
SSW
20
0.7
SW
20
0.9
SW
19
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
1
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
138
84
58
87
227
224
490
388
535
547
541
429
322
322
651
622
580
539
372
382
291
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
15
ENE
15
E
20
E
20
ENE
15
E
20
E
20
E
20
ENE
25
ENE
25
NE
30
NE
30
ENE
30
ENE
30
E
30
E
30
E
30
E
25
E
25
E
25
E
Wind State
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
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:11PM0.54m
4:45AM0.62m
3:14PM0.49m
5:33AM0.61m
2:56PM0.46m
6:37AM0.59m
8:23AM0.57m
10:24AM0.59m
11:23AM0.62m
Low Tide
9:53AM0.31m
9:42PM0.12m
10:39AM0.37m
10:01PM0.12m
11:37AM0.42m
10:21PM0.13m
10:44PM0.15m
11:15PM0.18m
00:18AM0.21m
2:58AM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:37
6:36
6:35
6:34
6:32
6:31
6:30
 mm
1
1
2
3
Temp °C
26
26
25
26
26
25
26
27
26
26
27
26
26
26
26
27
27
26
26
26
26
Feels °C
26
26
25
26
26
25
27
28
27
26
27
26
26
25
26
26
26
26
26
25
26
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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