
Surf Forecasts:
Tankers surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 17,140 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period with SSW 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 (Sep 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 3.5m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tankers in the next 16 days are 6.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 13s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 21ft (6.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tankers over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let me tell you straight up – we've got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way at Tankers. Water temp is sitting at about 81°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The issue is, for the start of this run, it’s looking rough.
We kick off on Wednesday afternoon, 2nd of September, with some waist-high, 3ft south swell, but it’s getting hammered by a fresh wind from the ENE. It’s cross-off, so it’s not straight onshore, but it’s still messy. The wave energy is moderate at best (531). Honestly, it's a bit of a write-off.
Thursday and Friday look like a washout with marginal conditions and even worse vibe from the wind. The swell jumps to 6ft on Thursday morning, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is still nasty. We get a bit more size on Saturday morning the 5th – 7ft from the east with a 14-second period, which is a proper groundswell. The energy is strong (2421), but the wind is still a fresh cross-off. It’s getting close to that 8ft mark though, so maybe leave the foamie at home if you're a beginner.
Sunday and Monday, 6th and 7th of September, hold similar size (6ft to 7ft) and clean faces, but the wind is still in the 15-19 mph range. On Monday afternoon the wind goes straight cross and that swell jumps to 8ft – getting into expert territory for sure. The energy is very strong (3043), but the conditions are lumpy.
Then we hit a real slump. Tuesday 8th brings a massive 20ft swell with a full onshore gale from the south at 28 mph. That’s pure chaos, dangerous, and unsurfable. The energy is a massive 11864, but you’d be a fool to paddle out. That turns into a few days of nothing good, with swell dropping below 3ft and fading energy.
But hold on, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After a long gap of poor conditions, we finally get some redemption. Mark your calendars for Tuesday afternoon the 15th of September. We get a clean 3ft swell from the southwest, a very long 21-second period, and light, glassy ENE cross-off winds. The energy is moderate (675). This is the best of the whole outlook. For a reef break like Tankers, that long period will draw beautiful lines. It might be a touch inconsistent with that gap between sets, but the quality is there.
Wednesday the 16th holds a little follow-up at 4ft from the SSW, still with clean conditions and a moderate 18-second period. That’s a solid secondary session.
So, for the whole 16-day run, don't bother paddling out until the second week. The standout is that Tuesday the 15th session – clean, glassy, and long-period. Just keep an eye on the crowds, because Tankers can get busy, and this might just draw a few.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sun night, near gales from the SSE by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | E 8 | E 7 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 12 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
401 | 435 | 358 | 606 | 387 | 497 | 478 | 561 | 1662 | 1382 | 1138 | 1053 | 1344 | 1383 | 1590 | 2483 | 8676 | 11724 | 1631 | 554 | |
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 | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 5:57PM0.35m | 9:11AM0.63m | 10:39AM0.65m | 11:53AM0.69m | 11:42PM0.23m | 12:50PM0.73m | 00:58AM0.28m | 1:37PM0.75m | 1:49AM0.35m | 2:17PM0.75m | 2:33AM0.42m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 2:51PM0.32m | 00:53AM0.08m | 1:48AM0.10m | 3:13AM0.11m | 8:07PM0.19m | 8:24PM0.16m | 6:09AM0.09m | 8:46PM0.13m | 7:12AM0.08m | 9:09PM0.11m | ||||||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | ENE 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 9 |
401 | 347 | 260 | 606 | 387 | 497 | 371 | 556 | 625 | 714 | 841 | 970 | 1344 | 1383 | 1590 | 2483 | 8676 | 373 | 979 | 554 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | E 13 | S 14 | S 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSE 10 | E 12 | E 12 | SSW 17 | S 10 | NNW 12 | E 14 | ENE 10 | W 8 |
64 | 85 | 268 | 144 | 260 | 289 | 478 | 561 | 120 | 116 | 102 | 55 | 827 | 855 | 482 | 188 | 14 | 140 | 205 | 172 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | S 11 | E 13 | E 12 | S 14 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 20 | WSW 12 | S 21 | — | SSW 20 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 17 | — | NNW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
66 | 58 | 121 | 107 | 93 | 6 | 17 | 37 | 14 | 9 | — | 76 | 54 | 98 | 133 | 372 | — | 12 | 370 | 356 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | E 12 | SSW 13 | S 10 | — |
294 | 435 | 358 | 397 | 306 | 323 | 376 | 315 | 1662 | 1382 | 1138 | 1053 | — | — | 1211 | 1183 | 1155 | 11724 | 1631 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 28 | 170 | 150 | 18 | 24 | 149 | 150 | 17 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 149 | 176 | 166 | 33 |
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.










