
Surf Forecasts:
Tankers surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, E swell with 5,272 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tankers this week:
The surf forecast for Tankers over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tankers in the next 16 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tankers over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight – this is a tough run for Tankers. There’s no real standout session for the next couple of weeks, but the end of the run has a couple of windows worth keeping an eye on. The water temp is sittin’ about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first good look doesn’t come until Thursday morning the 20th of August. The swell is tiny, only 2ft from the SSW with a very long 18-second period. That’s a classic groundswell, and at a reef like Tankers, those long-period lines should wrap in with some real shape. The combined energy is weak (304), so don’t expect much power, but the light breeze and clean conditions will make it glassy. It’s small – only for beginners or longboarders really – and the crowds at Tankers are often around, so you won’t be alone.
The true bright spot lands on Sunday afternoon the 23rd of August. Glossy conditions, dead flat wind – glassy. The swell picks up a fraction to 3ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, and the combined energy nudges up to 476, still moderate. The wind is glass – zero – so ridin’ that reef will be pure silk. It’s small, but for the vibe and the cleanliness, this is the pick of the whole forecast.
Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th hold similar-sized SSW swell (3ft and 3ft) with light cross-onshore winds. Not as clean, but still surfable for a mellow session. Then on Wednesday the 26th of August afternoon, we get another glassy window – 3ft from the SSW, 13-second period, combined energy of 505, and dead calm. That’s the second-best moment, real buttery.
The rest of the run – from now right through to the 19th of August – is mostly messy or too wind-affected. The swell mid-month gets chunky, with 16ft on Sunday the 16th from the east, but it’s cross-onshore and stormy – only for the brave or the kites, if you ask me. There’s a gap of about 8 days before we get anything worth paddling out for.
So, mark your calendar for the 23rd afternoon at Tankers – small but glassy and pure. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (gales from the ENE on Sat night, light winds from the E by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 20 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
373 | 627 | 741 | 1029 | 858 | 763 | 636 | 496 | 496 | 558 | 1197 | 1661 | 1527 | 5272 | 1463 | 315 | 412 | 329 | 222 | |
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-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:22AM0.36m | 3:59PM0.80m | 4:08AM0.41m | 4:32PM0.75m | 4:55AM0.46m | 5:02PM0.68m | 5:41AM0.50m | 5:29PM0.60m | 6:30AM0.53m | 5:53PM0.51m | 7:23AM0.54m | 6:10PM0.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:23PM0.11m | 8:53AM0.02m | 10:50PM0.10m | 9:42AM0.06m | 11:15PM0.09m | 10:30AM0.11m | 11:40PM0.09m | 11:19AM0.18m | 00:04AM0.09m | 12:13PM0.25m | 00:28AM0.10m | 1:18PM0.31m | 00:54AM0.11m | ||||||
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
7:05 | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 7 | 6 | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | S 13 |
317 | 627 | 741 | 1029 | 858 | 763 | 636 | 496 | 496 | 377 | 280 | 219 | 225 | 116 | 163 | 375 | 270 | 206 | 222 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | ESE 12 | W 11 | W 11 | WNW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 7 | S 14 | S 14 | WNW 11 |
373 | 289 | 289 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 48 | 21 | 22 | 34 | 99 | 188 | 183 | 111 | 412 | 329 | 24 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 12 | SSW 17 | SSE 11 | S 16 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | S 14 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SW 5 |
19 | 55 | 28 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 27 | 29 | 12 | 43 | 56 | 48 | 46 | 315 | 33 | 18 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 7 | E 8 | — | E 7 |
127 | 116 | 124 | 123 | 120 | 170 | 261 | 299 | 341 | 558 | 1197 | 1661 | 1527 | 5272 | 1463 | 147 | 329 | — | 159 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 149 | 11 | 24 | 178 | 178 | 178 | 178 | 178 | 174 | 33 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oahu | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tankers Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tankers provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tankers can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tankers 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 (Tankers) 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 Tankers 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.
Tankers is 5 km (3 miles) from Makakilo City. If you plan a vacation in Oahu, look for hotels and other accommodation in Makakilo City. Makakilo City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











