Surf Forecasts:
Rockpiles surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, S swell with 587 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rockpiles this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rockpiles in the next 16 days are 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2PM. 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockpiles over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Rockpiles.
Right off the bat, the water temp is sitting at about 81°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. But the surf situation? Honestly, it’s a bit of a slow burn to start. There’s no real action for the first few days. The swell is coming in but it’s small, around 3 ft to 4 ft, with some decent period from the SSE (16-17 seconds), which would normally be a nice groundswell. But the direction is cross-offshore (ENE wind), and while it looks clean on paper, the forecast is calling it marginal or poor. The combined energy is moderate - in the 500 to 900 range - but it’s just not lining up right.
From Thursday 29th August through to mid-week in September, we get a shift. The swell picks up to 6 ft to 7 ft, but it swings around to a short-period ENE windswell, only 7-8 seconds. That’s choppy, messy, and the wind stays a stiff cross-off. The energy climbs into the 600 to 900 range, but it’s not quality surf - the scores are a zero or a one. This stretch is more for the kite crowd than paddle surfers, honestly.
Now, here’s where I get a little more interested. Starting Saturday 5th September, the swell sticks around 6 ft to 6 ft, but the period stretches to 11 seconds. That’s a real groundswell, and you can feel it in the energy numbers jumping up over 1000, hitting 1159 in the morning and 1045 in the afternoon. The wind is still cross-off from the ENE, so it’s clean. The score creeps up to a 2, which isn’t a home run, but for this stretch, it’s the best on offer. This is a long-period swell, so at a reef like Rockpiles, it should line up nicely with good shape. It’s still a bit sizey at 6 ft to 6 ft, so not a beginner wave - but solid for intermediate to advanced surfers.
The standout? Without a doubt, that Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September window. The swell direction (ENE) isn’t the perfect SSE the break prefers, but the length, consistency, and clean conditions make it the pick.
Monday 7th September sees the swell push over 7 ft to 7 ft, with energy spiking to 1532. That’s strong, but the wind picks up to 25 mph and stays strong for the rest of the outlook - strong breeze or near gale. That’s expert territory and blown out. By Friday 11th September, the wind goes onshore and the swell drops to 2 ft - a total write-off.
So, bottom line: the first week is a wash. The second week has a few days worth getting out for, especially that Saturday to Monday run. Crowds are “sometimes” a thing here, so you might have a bit of company, but it won’t be chaos. If you’re patient, there’s a decent window.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
716 | 427 | 482 | 260 | 329 | 229 | 240 | 330 | 326 | 383 | 285 | 295 | 334 | 428 | 464 | 488 | 455 | 443 | 372 | 422 | 463 | |
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 | 3:53PM0.66m | 4:08AM0.41m | 4:20PM0.62m | 4:47AM0.46m | 4:49PM0.57m | 5:30AM0.50m | 5:18PM0.51m | 6:18AM0.53m | 5:48PM0.44m | 7:14AM0.56m | 6:20PM0.36m | 8:21AM0.59m | 6:54PM0.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:05AM0.06m | 10:32PM0.08m | 9:46AM0.07m | 10:54PM0.07m | 10:31AM0.10m | 11:17PM0.05m | 11:22AM0.14m | 11:42PM0.05m | 12:22PM0.19m | 00:10AM0.05m | 1:40PM0.23m | 00:43AM0.05m | 3:38PM0.25m | 1:25AM0.06m | |||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | E 13 | S 13 | E 12 | SSW 16 | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 |
716 | 427 | 482 | 260 | 329 | 229 | 126 | 89 | 106 | 171 | 100 | 199 | 144 | 138 | 192 | 329 | 311 | 280 | 334 | 322 | 279 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | SSW 12 | NNE 7 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 13 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 |
6 | 47 | 10 | 78 | 109 | 146 | 85 | 75 | 186 | 46 | 162 | 58 | 82 | 55 | 33 | 50 | 75 | 52 | 74 | 69 | 142 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | NNE 8 | E 17 | SSW 11 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | S 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SSE 12 | E 11 | ENE 10 | S 21 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | S 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | ESE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 |
3 | 7 | 24 | 22 | 36 | 56 | 89 | 115 | 47 | 48 | 61 | 37 | 34 | 122 | 49 | 31 | 51 | 52 | 20 | 38 | 38 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
206 | 188 | 206 | 160 | 128 | 172 | 240 | 330 | 326 | 383 | 285 | 295 | 334 | 428 | 464 | 488 | 455 | 443 | 372 | 422 | 463 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 44 | 32 | 30 | 127 | 30 | 38 | 41 | 38 | 38 | 41 | 30 | 38 | 32 | 1 | 30 | 39 | 1 | 30 | 30 | 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.











