
Surf Forecasts:
Rockpiles surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, ENE swell with 983 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rockpiles this week:
The surf forecast for Rockpiles over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockpiles in the next 16 days are 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockpiles over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Rockpiles has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, the water temp is sitting at 81.3°F with an anomaly of 0.7°F, so pretty average for this time of year – nothing to write home about, just your typical warm tropical bath.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, honestly. Saturday the 12th sees a little pulse of swell rolling in, but it’s small – around 2.3ft from the southwest with a super long period of 15 seconds. That long period means there’s some real energy in the water for a reef setup like this, and the cross-off wind is going to keep it clean. The combined energy is moderate at 370, but the wave comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so it’s not going to be a classic. By the afternoon, it drops to 1.6ft. It’s worth a paddle if you’re desperate, but don’t expect fireworks.
Sunday the 13th is even smaller – 1.6ft in the morning, dropping to 1.3ft in the afternoon. The forecast says “poor surf conditions.” Honestly, you’re better off doing something else.
Monday the 14th we get a tiny 1.0ft morning wave but with a whopping 23-second period. That’s a very long-period groundswell, but it’s just too small to do much with, especially at a reef break that needs some size to come alive. The wind is up a bit too, 15 mph cross-off, which will keep it clean but you’re still looking at knee-high dribble.
Tuesday the 15th is slightly better – 2.3ft in the morning from the southwest, period 20 seconds. Combined energy is 438, so moderate, but again the wave comment says marginal. The afternoon wind picks up to 19 mph, making it less appealing.
Come Wednesday the 16th, we start to see some size. Morning has 3.0ft from the SW, period 18 seconds, combined energy climbing to 540. The wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-off, which is strong but at least it’s offshore. The afternoon jumps to 3.0ft from the SSW with energy hitting 806. Still, the wave comment says marginal or questionable tide. Not a standout, but it’s getting there.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 17th morning brings a sudden spike: 7.2ft from the ENE, but the period crashes to just 8 seconds. That’s a short-period wind swell, and combined energy is 984 – getting into strong territory. The wind is 22 mph cross-off. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” though, so it’s probably going to be a messy, blown-out mess. By the afternoon, it’s still 7.2ft but period 10 seconds, energy hits 1395 (very strong), and the comment upgrades to “marginal” – but honestly, this is going to be a beast for experts only. Over 8ft and short period is a recipe for a washing machine. Only the most experienced should even look at it.
Friday the 18th is the standout. Morning has 6.6ft from the east, period 9 seconds, energy 1277. Still big and short-period, so it’s raw. But the afternoon? That’s the one. The swell drops to 3.3ft from the SSW, period jumps to 17 seconds – a proper groundswell – and combined energy is still a solid 1060. The wind drops to 9 mph cross-off, and the wave comment is “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the best of the whole run. Rockpiles is a reef, so that long period will wrap in beautifully, and with clean cross-off wind, it’s going to be lined up and hollow. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, so there might be a few out, but for a wave this good, it’s worth sharing.
Saturday the 19th is a bit of a letdown after that. Morning has 3.0ft from the SSW, period 16 seconds, but the wind goes cross-shore with light breeze and ripples
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 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) | SW 15 | SW 16 | ENE 9 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 12 | SW 23 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
242 | 124 | 84 | 107 | 84 | 38 | 86 | 227 | 224 | 392 | 384 | 470 | 455 | 541 | 377 | 570 | 923 | 758 | 646 | 580 | 539 | |
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 | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:42PM0.50m | 5:31AM0.57m | 5:11PM0.43m | 6:14AM0.58m | 5:40PM0.36m | 7:02AM0.58m | 6:07PM0.30m | 7:59AM0.57m | 6:32PM0.25m | 9:10AM0.56m | 7:25PM0.21m | 10:27AM0.57m | 11:01PM0.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:52AM0.13m | 10:56PM0.05m | 11:45AM0.17m | 11:19PM0.06m | 12:45PM0.20m | 11:42PM0.08m | 2:03PM0.23m | 00:07AM0.11m | 4:06PM0.24m | 00:38AM0.13m | 7:14PM0.21m | 1:26AM0.16m | 7:23PM0.18m | 2:56AM0.18m | |||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | SW 22 | NE 8 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
128 | 81 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 79 | 58 | 227 | 107 | 392 | 384 | 470 | 455 | 541 | 377 | 258 | 258 | 644 | 622 | 580 | 539 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | E 5 | SSW 15 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 21 | NNE 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 6 |
74 | 98 | 84 | 17 | 84 | 38 | 49 | 49 | 224 | 36 | 68 | 58 | 50 | 31 | 19 | 149 | 210 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | SW 12 | ENE 8 | SW 23 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | E 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | WSW 8 | SW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | S 21 | S 20 |
242 | 124 | 68 | 107 | 37 | 14 | 86 | 12 | 68 | 46 | 38 | 38 | 35 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 67 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 5 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
— | — | 13 | — | 59 | 13 | 33 | 171 | 19 | 40 | 133 | 142 | 156 | 220 | 295 | 570 | 923 | 758 | 646 | 463 | 367 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 30 | 1 | 30 | 127 | 30 | 38 | 127 | 30 | 33 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rockpiles Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rockpiles provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rockpiles can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rockpiles 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 (Rockpiles) 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 Rockpiles 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.
Rockpiles is 4 km (2 miles) from Honolulu. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in Honolulu. Honolulu has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










