Surf Forecasts:
Pipeline surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, SSW swell with 289 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pipeline this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Pipeline in the next 16 days are 0.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pipeline over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the table for the North Shore.
Honestly, for the next week and a half, we’re looking at a flat spell that just won’t quit. The first real sign of life doesn’t show up until around Thursday the 20th of August, and even then, it’s barely a pulse. Up until then, we’ve got a solid 8-day stretch where the swell is too small and the energy is weak. It’s a waiting game.
The standout window looks to be around Monday the 24th of August. We’ve got a modest SSW pulse bumping up to 4 ft with a period of 15 seconds, which is a proper long-period groundswell. The energy reading hits 543 (moderate energy), and while the wind is a cross-off from the E at 15 mph, it’s clean. This is a wave that will have some shape and push, but with that long period and a straight beachbreak setup, it might wall up a bit. Still, it’s the best we’ll see.
Before that, Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of August offer the first glimmers. Expect small 2 ft SSW swell with a long 16-18 second period. The combined energy sits between 200 and 278 (moderate energy). The wind holds clean from the east, but these are marginal. A longboard or a fish would be the call.
There’s a secondary bump on Tuesday the 25th of August with similar 4 ft SSW swell, but the wind picks up to 18 mph, and the quality drops. It’s not worth getting excited about.
Water temps are sitting at 80°F, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so the trunks will be fine.
The only real stand-out on offer is Pipeline (Oahu) on Monday the 24th of August. The swell direction is SSW, not the optimum WNW, but the size and period will draw in some lines. Expect crowds though—this place is often packed, and with the first decent swell in a while, it’ll be busy.
So, hang tight through the first week. There’s a glimmer of hope for the 24th, but don’t bet the farm on it. Forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NE on Sat night, moderate winds from the ESE by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 | SSW 18 | NNW 8 | W 11 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | ENE 8 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 6 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
289 | 289 | 218 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 30 | 12 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 28 | 27 | 0 | 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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:09PM0.81m | 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 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 23 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 17 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
289 | 620 | 628 | 868 | 784 | 636 | 503 | 411 | 315 | 284 | 219 | 171 | 368 | 121 | 166 | 338 | 260 | 229 | 165 | 119 | 116 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | S 18 | WNW 12 | S 16 | S 16 | S 6 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SW 18 |
515 | 289 | 218 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 56 | 28 | 127 | 176 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 74 | 121 | 79 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 | SSW 18 | W 11 | W 11 | S 15 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 12 | SSE 7 | SW 18 | SW 19 | WNW 11 | SW 6 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
18 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 30 | 9 | 22 | 42 | 13 | 6 | 27 | 18 | 50 | 58 | 12 | 5 | 34 | 28 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
161 | 158 | 165 | 167 | 190 | 335 | 392 | 486 | 588 | 1291 | 1998 | 1794 | 3442 | 2403 | 1058 | 639 | 395 | 284 | 204 | 206 | 176 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 150 | 28 | 28 | 165 | 26 | 26 | 165 | 26 | 167 | 168 | 168 | 176 | 97 | 11 | 11 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 28 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











