Surf Forecasts:
Rockpiles surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, S swell with 358 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. 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 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockpiles over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks in feet and miles per hour.
First up, we’ve got a bit of a quiet start. Thursday 20 August sees a small, clean swell at Rockpiles, a reef break. It’s tiny, only 2 feet from the SSW, but with a very long period of 18 seconds, so there’s some proper groundswell energy in the water. The combined energy is weak (261), but the wind is light and cross-off, making it clean. This is a spot that’s fairly consistent, but the waves are small – better for a longboard or a funboard than a shortboard. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Friday 21 August is similar in size, around 2 feet from the SW, but the morning has a cross-on breeze (261 energy), which is a bit messy. The real gem is Friday afternoon: the wind goes glassy, the swell is still 2 feet from the SW, and the energy is moderate (312). That’s the best session of the near-term – glassy, clean, and very surfable for an advanced crew on a reef.
Saturday 22 August the wind cranks up to 22-25 mph from the ENE. The swell is only 2 feet from the SW, but the energy is moderate to strong (384-509). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean but the waves are small and blown out. Not worth paddling out for a surf – this setup looks far more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Sunday 23 through to Monday 25 the swell jumps to 6 feet from the ENE, but with a very short period of only 6-7 seconds. That’s windswell, and with strong breezes of 22-28 mph, it’s going to be a messy, choppy mess. The energy is strong (515-597), but it’s poor surf conditions – not a good time.
Tuesday 25 has a risk of thunderstorms, still 6 feet from the E/ENE with a short period. The wind drops slightly but it’s still a marginal forecast. The energy is strong (579-526). Not great for a clean ride.
Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 see the swell drop back to 2-3 feet from the S/SSW, with a much nicer period of 14-18 seconds. The wind is still moderate to fresh, but cross-off. The energy is strong (537-602) for the size. This is more of a hopeful period, but the wind is a bit pushy – marginal at best.
Friday 28 through Sunday 30 the swell is 2.5-3.5 feet from the E/ESE, with periods around 13-14 seconds. The wind is fresh and cross-off. The energy gets very strong on 29 and 30 August (803-982). Still, the wind is strong, so it’s poor to marginal. For experts on a reef, it could be worth a look, but it’s not a standout.
Now, here’s the highlight: from 31 August (Monday) into early September, the swell really kicks up. On Monday 31 August, Rockpiles gets 7.5-8 feet from the ENE at 13 seconds. The combined energy is very strong (1986-2053). This is solid, powerful swell. However, at over 8 feet, it’s only for experts. The wind is cross-off at 19 mph, so it’s clean, but it’s big and powerful. The optimum swell direction here is SSE, and we’re getting ENE, so it’s a bit off-angle for the break. Still, for those who know the reef, this could be a big, clean session.
Tuesday 1 September holds at 7.5 feet from the ENE, energy still very strong (1597-1610). The wind drops to moderate breeze, which is better, but the period drops to 12 seconds. Still a heavy, powerful wave.
Wednesday 2 September sees the swell drop to 7 feet from the ENE, period 10 seconds, energy strong (1003-932). The wind is moderate, cross-off. This is still good for experts, but the period is shorter, so the waves will be a bit more walled-up.
Thursday 3 September morning has 4.5 feet from the ENE at 8 seconds – short period, not great. But Thursday afternoon, there’s a pulse of 2 feet from the SSW at 20 seconds! That’s very long period groundswell, energy moderate (670). The wind is moderate and cross-off. This is a classic reef/point swell – long, clean lines. For an advanced surfer on a reef, that’s a lovely session to finish the week.
Thursday 4 September morning has 3 feet from the SSW at 18 seconds, energy moderate (757) and moderate breeze cross-off. It’s a nice tail end to the run.
So, the best on offer? Friday 21 August afternoon for the glassy, clean, small-groundswell session. And the 31 August to 1 September big ENE swell for the experienced crew. The SSW groundswell on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September is also a real gem for those who like long, clean waves.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Thu night, strong winds from the ENE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sun morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 18 | S 18 | S 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
207 | 200 | 274 | 291 | 264 | 322 | 261 | 255 | 311 | 327 | 261 | 240 | 195 | 156 | 233 | 316 | 284 | 204 | 165 | 304 | 161 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:25AM0.56m | 10:11PM0.21m | 12:25PM0.59m | 00:08AM0.21m | 1:12PM0.63m | 1:06AM0.23m | 1:52PM0.66m | 1:46AM0.26m | 2:26PM0.67m | 2:21AM0.29m | 2:56PM0.68m | 2:55AM0.33m | 3:24PM0.68m | 3:31AM0.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:27PM0.20m | 8:41PM0.17m | 5:06AM0.12m | 9:00PM0.16m | 6:08AM0.10m | 9:18PM0.14m | 6:59AM0.08m | 9:35PM0.13m | 7:43AM0.06m | 9:53PM0.11m | 8:24AM0.05m | 10:12PM0.10m | |||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SW 17 | ENE 7 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 18 | SSW 13 |
54 | 131 | 111 | 291 | 81 | 322 | 135 | 255 | 212 | 115 | 191 | 100 | 166 | 156 | 93 | 86 | 142 | 121 | 163 | 304 | 137 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | ENE 7 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 16 | W 12 | S 14 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | E 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 18 | SSW 13 | S 18 |
42 | 200 | 274 | 51 | 264 | 31 | 261 | 69 | 104 | 90 | 35 | 56 | 58 | 51 | 94 | 146 | 56 | 56 | 165 | 98 | 161 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | W 11 | W 9 | NNE 7 | W 10 | S 13 | WNW 10 | S 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 15 | WNW 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 18 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 18 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 |
207 | 37 | 27 | 30 | 49 | 54 | 34 | 47 | 62 | 76 | 21 | 29 | 62 | 56 | 45 | 28 | 23 | 109 | 4 | 7 | 86 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 83 | — | 219 | 311 | 327 | 261 | 240 | 195 | 132 | 233 | 316 | 284 | 204 | 139 | 117 | 144 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 41 | 38 | 45 | 47 | 30 | 38 | 38 | 30 | 38 | 38 | 30 | 30 | 1 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











