Surf Forecasts:
Tankers surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, E swell with 1,169 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) 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 2.1m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tankers over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. Tankers is a reef setup that’s consistent and works best on a south swell, which is exactly what we’ve got. Water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. The first few days of this run are pretty slim pickings, but we’ve got a couple of clear windows worth paddling out for.
The best of the bunch comes on Thursday, the 20th of August. Thursday morning at Tankers is the standout. You’re looking at a clean 2 ft swell from the SW, with a very long 18-second period, glassy conditions with the wind out of the SE at just 3 mph. That’s proper groundswell with nice shape and energy, and combined swell energy is moderate (406). The long period could make it a little tricky at a beach break, but on a reef like Tankers, it’ll be lined up and clean. Crowds are often here, so get in early.
Wednesday the 19th of August morning is a second option, with 2 ft of SW swell and a 16-second period, cross-off wind from the ENE at 9 mph. The combined energy is weak (286), so it’s a small one, but clean. Afternoon fades out.
After that, we hit a dry patch. Friday the 21st through to Monday the 31st of August is mostly a write-off. The wind stays strong or cross, and the swell quality drops off. There’s a bit of size on the 23rd and 24th (5 ft to 6 ft, east swell), but the period is a mushy 7 seconds and the wind is howling, so it’s more for the kite crowd than paddle surfers. Combined energy gets up to moderate (583-642), but with that short period and strong breeze, it’s not worth it.
The real promise is in the first few days of September. Tuesday the 1st of September morning shows a 5 ft east swell with an 11-second period, combined energy at 952 (moderate), and a clean cross-off breeze from the east at 12 mph. That’s a solid runner. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday the 2nd of September ramp up to 7 ft and 8 ft from the east, with a longer 13-second period, and combined energy jumps to 2097 and 2393 (strong). That’s proper groundswell, but at 8 ft, it’s expert-only territory. The wind is cross-off but fresh to strong, so it’ll be clean but powerful. Keep an eye on this one—it’s a long-range call, so don’t book the day off yet, but it looks promising.
So, to sum it up: Thursday the 20th of August morning is the one to chase. The 1st and 2nd of September are the ones to watch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ENE on Sun night, light winds from the E by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
129 | 125 | 175 | 316 | 305 | 347 | 368 | 326 | 367 | 326 | 314 | 245 | 201 | 191 | 482 | 1010 | 751 | 411 | 260 | 196 | 167 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:42AM0.56m | 11:04AM0.57m | 12:12PM0.60m | 11:03PM0.23m | 1:02PM0.64m | 00:38AM0.25m | 1:42PM0.67m | 1:26AM0.28m | 2:15PM0.70m | 2:05AM0.31m | 2:45PM0.72m | 2:41AM0.35m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 2:04AM0.14m | 3:11AM0.15m | 9:15PM0.23m | 9:01PM0.20m | 5:49AM0.13m | 9:11PM0.18m | 6:44AM0.10m | 9:26PM0.16m | 7:29AM0.08m | 9:43PM0.15m | |||||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 34 | 13 | 6 | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | E 7 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
88 | 86 | 80 | 55 | 57 | 347 | 368 | 326 | 367 | 70 | 314 | 245 | 201 | 191 | 186 | 166 | 156 | 411 | 260 | 187 | 153 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | W 11 | ENE 7 | SSW 16 | W 11 | WNW 12 | SSE 13 | E 11 | E 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 15 |
129 | 71 | 175 | 316 | 305 | 57 | 41 | 83 | 60 | 326 | 83 | 109 | 141 | 66 | 71 | 56 | 47 | 67 | 62 | 45 | 167 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 11 | W 11 | W 9 | W 11 | ENE 7 | W 10 | W 10 | S 12 | S 14 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SSE 13 | NW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | S 6 |
69 | 125 | 45 | 39 | 57 | 25 | 82 | 40 | 73 | 77 | 47 | 106 | 68 | 46 | 57 | 31 | 61 | 127 | 119 | 196 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
36 | 149 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | 121 | 110 | 141 | 235 | 212 | 317 | 482 | 1010 | 751 | 632 | 192 | 159 | 240 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 10 | 18 | 178 | 178 | 178 | 28 | 17 | 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.











