Pipeline Surf Forecast, Oahu
Oahu
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
5-6ft
head high
Swell Period
11s
Wind
18mph
ENE / Gusts 18mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.0ft @ 12sNW
Secondary
0.4ft @ 11sSSW
Wind Swell
6.8ft @ 11sNNE
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 315-6ft
Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 14-5ft
FairMidday is the call — 3-4ft waves with 11mph ENE winds and fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
6am9am12pm3pm
11s NNE|7-16mph ENE
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorNot the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 14mph ENE winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
12s W|12-14mph ENE
Forecast Charts
Pipeline Surf Spot Guide
Break
Reef
Bottom
Reef
Level
Expert
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
N, NW
Best Wind
S, SE
Season
Winter
Pipeline is a legendary reef break on Oahu's North Shore that produces some of the world's most powerful and hollow barrels. The wave stands up steeply on a shallow reef with a sharp take-off zone, creating intense hollow tubes that demand expert technique and split-second timing. This iconic spot is best in winter when North Pacific swells arrive with consistency, though it can turn dangerously shallow and fast during larger swells.
Shallow reefStrong currentsLocalismRocksExtreme wave power
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Pipeline Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Pipeline?
The current wave height at Pipeline is 5-6ft with a 11s swell period. Wind is ENE at 18mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Pipeline surf forecast?
Our Pipeline forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends.
What is the breaking wave height at Pipeline?
The current breaking wave height at Pipeline is 5-6ft, produced by a 1ft NW primary swell at 12s, a 0.4ft SSW secondary swell at 11s, a 6.8ft NNE wind swell swell at 11s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf Pipeline?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Pipeline is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 10.95s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.