
Surf Forecasts:
Pipeline surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 759 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pipeline this week:
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 2AM. 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pipeline over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel if you’re patient.
First up, the water temp is sittin’ right on 80°, which is dead average for this time of year. No surprises there.
We’ve got a pretty quiet start. For the first week, from Tuesday the 15th right through to Monday the 21st, the surf is pretty ordinary. Swell heights stay tiny, mostly between 2 ft and 4 ft, and while the wind is side-offshore it’s blowin’ 12 to 19 mph, which isn't doing the little bumps any favors. The wave energy sits moderate, reading between 322 and 746, but the quality just isn’t there. The call is “marginal” at best, with a few days of “poor” conditions. Honestly, those first seven days are for kickin’ back, tuning up your board, and waiting.
Things start to perk up on Wednesday the 23rd afternoon. We get a brief window of “good” surf with tiny 2 ft swell from the SSW, period 16 seconds, and light variable breeze. The energy is a modest 211. It’s sessionable, but not exactly one for the highlight reel.
Then we hit a little gap of rough conditions on Thursday the 24th with onshore wind, which cleans out again.
Now, here’s the payoff. Friday the 25th into Saturday the 26th is the true standout of this whole outlook. On Friday morning, we see glassy conditions with the wind going flat calm or a light NW. Swell holds steady at 3 ft from the SSW with a 15-second period. The wave energy jumps to 472 and then to 590 by the afternoon. By Saturday the 26th morning, we’re looking at 2 ft with side-offshore ESE breezes at just 6 mph and energy hitting 600. These are the cleanest, most inviting windows we’ve seen.
The spot to be is Pipeline, an exposed reef that really lights up when the direction is right. This 2 to 3 ft SSW groundswell with 15 to 17 seconds of period is well-suited for a reef like this. The long period means better shaped, juicier waves and longer lulls between sets, making the paddle out manageable. The wind is light and clean, so the waves are going to be facey and lined up. The crowd can be an issue here, because everyone knows when Pipeline is good, so get there early or be prepared to share.
After that, Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th offer glassy and clean conditions again, with 3 ft to 3 ft SSW swell (14 to 16 seconds) and light winds. The energy drops a bit to the 300s and 400s but it's still very surfable and fun.
Rounding out the window, Tuesday the 29th morning has another solid 3 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, with side-offshore light breeze and energy at 641. That’s a cracking little pulse to finish on before the swell fades again into the 30th.
Ultimately, the whole first week is a write-off. But from the 23rd onward you get a run of clean days, with Friday the 25th afternoon and Saturday the 26th morning being the absolute best of the lot. Small, clean, glassy reef surfing at Pipe. You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
490 | 388 | 535 | 547 | 541 | 516 | 322 | 322 | 759 | 734 | 684 | 539 | 414 | 425 | 291 | 408 | 300 | 376 | 327 | 304 | 232 | |
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 | 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 | 2:56PM0.46m | 6:37AM0.59m | 8:23AM0.57m | 10:24AM0.59m | 11:23AM0.62m | 11:59AM0.65m | 11:14PM0.30m | 12:26PM0.67m | 11:59PM0.35m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:37AM0.42m | 10:21PM0.13m | 10:44PM0.15m | 11:15PM0.18m | 00:18AM0.21m | 2:58AM0.22m | 8:12PM0.28m | 7:47PM0.27m | |||||||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
490 | 388 | 535 | 547 | 541 | 516 | 322 | 322 | 759 | 734 | 684 | 539 | 414 | 425 | 291 | 408 | 300 | 376 | 327 | 304 | 232 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 10 | NW 10 | WSW 9 | S 20 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 16 | N 11 | SW 15 | N 10 | SW 15 | NNW 10 | NNW 12 |
36 | 44 | 38 | 51 | 72 | 72 | 216 | 210 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 67 | 107 | 162 | 257 | 10 | 104 | 8 | 34 | 9 | 49 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | S 21 | NW 9 | NW 8 | W 8 | SSE 8 | NW 9 | N 11 | W 12 | NNW 10 | W 11 | W 12 |
64 | 58 | 37 | 34 | 31 | 19 | 18 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 36 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 |
78 | 114 | 93 | 128 | 164 | 237 | 431 | 690 | 603 | 520 | 494 | 461 | 427 | 484 | 494 | 420 | 468 | 450 | 520 | 653 | 859 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 33 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
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.










